Speaker of Parliament Anita Among has dismissed suggestions that Democratic Party (DP) leader Norbert Mao poses a significant political threat in the upcoming electoral cycle, pointing to the numerical realities in Parliament as a defining factor.

Speaking on the matter, Among noted that Mao leads a party that secured only six seats in the 12th Parliament. In contrast, the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) commands more than 400 Members of Parliament, a commanding majority that continues to shape legislative direction and national political influence.

According to the Speaker, this disparity presents a steep political challenge for Mao, regardless of his personal ambition or experience. She argued that competing against candidates backed by a party with such a decisive parliamentary presence would require overcoming significant structural and political disadvantages.

Among’s remarks highlight the broader debate about party strength versus individual candidacy in Uganda’s political landscape. While Mao remains a seasoned political figure and former presidential contender, the DP’s limited representation in Parliament raises questions about its current grassroots reach and mobilization capacity.

Political analysts note that parliamentary numbers often translate into campaign networks, funding channels, and nationwide mobilization structures, all of which play a crucial role during elections. However, observers also caution that electoral politics can sometimes shift beyond parliamentary arithmetic, especially where alliances, public sentiment, and issue-based campaigns come into play.

As political positioning intensifies ahead of the next general elections, the contrast between established parliamentary dominance and smaller party resilience is expected to remain central to the national conversation.