Trouble is coming from inside the house now.
Norbert Mao talked. And when Mao talks, Kampala doesn’t sleep.
He looked at Speaker Anita Among and said no, sanctions from UK and America are not because of gay law. It’s corruption, he said. Then he called her “injured soldier”. Said she need “rehabilitation, not decoration.”
Those are fighting words.
Mao Dropped List of Properties owned by Hon Among in a short period, People Are Counting
He didn’t whisper. He mentioned places. Kigo – Buildings there. Nakasero – House there, expensive. Dewinton Road – Walusimbi’s Garage bought. Five-star hotel coming, he said.
Then he talked money we are waiting for — AFCON money. Said she’s “eyeing that pot”.
Then he talked car. Rolls-Royce Phantom – Shs2.5b.
All this while new Parliament chambers are sleeping. Construction stalled. No work.
You see the problem?
This Thing Is Hurting People
Let me tell you. When mwananchi hears “house in Nakasero”, he thinks of his rent in Kireka. When he hears “Rolls-Royce”, he thinks of his boda without fuel. When he hears “AFCON money”, he thinks of stadium we don’t have yet.
One old mama told me yesterday, “My grandson is at university but no money for hostel. Now I hear Speaker is buying garage. Garage! Me I can’t even buy a mat.”
That’s the pain. Not jealousy. Pain.
Because if leader can build five things in two years, why Parliament can’t finish one thing in three years?
Mao Is Not Enemy, He’s Inside
The issue which is quite alarming is that, Norbert Mao is not opposition shouting from outside. He’s Minister. He’s DP President but he sits in Cabinet. He feasts with NRM.
So when he says “injured soldier”, he means she fought for government. But now she’s bleeding trust. “Rehabilitation” means party can help her. “Not decoration” means don’t give her more flowers now. First ask questions.
He’s telling NRM: Clean your house before 2026.
Why AFCON Money Is Making People Scared
Uganda will host AFCON 2027 with Kenya and Tanzania. Big money is coming. Stadiums. Roads. Hotels. Jobs.
But Ugandans remember CHOGM. Remember Global Fund. Remember OPM. Money came, then money disappeared.
So when Mao says “she’s waiting to steal from that pot”, people don’t laugh. They hold their wallet. Because we have seen this film before.
The Big Question Nobody Is Answering
Okay fine. Mao has talked. But where is IGG? Where is Auditor General? Where is Parliament itself?
If Speaker has Kigo buildings, good. But show us loan papers. If she bought Rolls-Royce, fine. But URA must show tax paid. If Walusimbi’s Garage was bought, no problem. But tell us source of money.
Leaders are not poor. But they must be clean.
And Parliament — eeh, Parliament. That building is shame now. MPs sit in old chambers, which was fine anywhere, that’s a story for another day. Visitors come, they see cracks. But outside, private towers are going up fast. That picture is bad, ssebo. Very bad.
What Must Happen If We Are Serious
First, Speaker Among must talk. Not through assistants. Herself. Face camera. Explain Kigo, Nakasero, Dewinton, car. Ugandans are not fools. They understand business. But they hate silence.
Second, finish Parliament chambers. Even one floor. Show work. Because how do you ask for AFCON money when you failed to finish your own office?
Third, NRM must decide. Mao gave them two ways — rehabilitation or decoration. If they choose decoration, give her more power, more praise, people will say “they are same”. If they choose rehabilitation, investigate, caution, guide, people will say “at least they listened”.
Fourth, protect AFCON money now. Not 2027. Now. Put cameras on it. Put church on it. Put journalists on it. Because once it enters wrong account, goodbye.
Last Thing,
Norbert Mao didn’t abuse. He warned.
He said injured soldier. Soldiers are respected. But injured ones must go to hospital, not to parade.
Anita Among is strong woman. She rose from FDC to NRM. From MP to Speaker. Nobody gave her. She fought.
But power is like fire. It cooks food, or it burns house.
Today Ugandans are asking: Is this fire cooking for us, or burning us?
12th May is swearing-in. 2027 is AFCON. 2026 is elections.
Between those dates, trust will decide everything.
You can build in Kigo. No problem.
You can drive Rolls-Royce. No problem.
But if Parliament is stalled, if AFCON money disappears, if sanctions remain — then problem is big.
Mao has put ball in court.
Now Uganda is waiting to see who will play it.
Because, we are tired of watching buildings rise while our hope falls.
That’s all.
