Among Dismisses Mao’s ‘Accidental Speaker’ Claim, Says Position Was Earned

Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Anita Annet Among in pink dress.

Speaker of Parliament Anita Annet Among has rejected claims by Democratic Party President Norbert Mao that she is an “accidental Speaker,” insisting that her position was earned through a legitimate vote by Members of Parliament.

Speaking during a Women’s Day Breakfast at Parliament on Friday ahead of International Women’s Day commemorations on March 8, Among said there is no formal training school for the Speaker of Parliament and dismissed the notion that her leadership was accidental.

“There is no school for training for Speaker of Parliament,” Among said.

“And there is no accidental Speaker of Parliament. The so-called accidental Speaker was voted by 415 Members of Parliament. Because of that, she automatically became the Speaker,” she added.

Among assumed the speakership in 2022 following the death of former Speaker Jacob Oulanyah. Her election has recently come under renewed discussion as political actors position themselves ahead of the formation of the 12th Parliament.

Mao, who has expressed interest in the speakership, previously described Among’s rise to the position as accidental, arguing that it resulted from unforeseen circumstances rather than a planned political transition.

However, Among expressed confidence in her leadership and her chances of retaining the position in the next Parliament.

“By God’s grace, I will be the Speaker of the 12th Parliament. Thomas Tayebwa will be the Deputy Speaker,” she said.

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President Yoweri Museveni and the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) have already endorsed Among and Tayebwa to retain their positions in the upcoming Parliament.

Beyond the political debate, the Speaker used the Women’s Day event to advocate for improved access to justice and better welfare for women and girls.

Held under the theme “Scaling up investment to accelerate access to justice for all women and girls in Uganda,” the event brought together leaders and stakeholders to discuss policy measures affecting women.

Among called on the Ministry of Finance to consider reducing taxes on sanitary pads to make them more affordable for girls and women across the country.

She noted that the high cost of sanitary products contributes to school absenteeism and dropouts among girls due to stigma and lack of access to proper menstrual hygiene products.

“Improving access to affordable sanitary products would help keep girls in school and promote dignity and equality for women and girls across the country,” she said.

Her proposal adds to growing calls for increased investment in women’s health, education, and social welfare as Uganda marks International Women’s Day.