Hon. Norbert Mao, the State Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs, has candidly spoken about the persistent death threats and warnings he continues to receive.

While addressing journalists, Mao, who is vying for the Speakership in the 12th Parliament, said he is prepared for whatever comes his way and refuses to live in fear.

“I’m constantly being told, ‘You’re going to be poisoned.’ My phone is full of such warnings. Some even claim that witch doctors have been consulted to deal with me. But I’ve faced similar things before.”

He recounted an incident from his 2001 parliamentary campaign in Gulu, when he found a chicken slaughtered at the door of his campaign office.

I found a chicken’s head with beads around its neck placed at the entrance of my campaign office. My supporters were too terrified to even open the door. But I simply walked up and kicked it away. I guess they expected my leg to be paralyzed, but nothing happened.

Hon. Mao further emphasized that he is not going to live in fear, noting that even when he was in Kyankwanzi, he was always being warned to be careful.

Even in Kyankwanzi, I was warned to be careful about what I eat, that people smear poison on plates. But I refuse to live like that. If death is my fate, so be it. I won’t spend my life in fear.

He also expressed concern about the growing mistrust within Parliament, pointing out how people fear grabbing snacks from the parliamentary canteen.

In the parliamentary canteen, the spirit of comradeship is gone. People fear eating at the buffet or even drinking bottled water, worried it might be tampered with. There is real fear in this city.

Reflecting on earlier parliamentary culture, Mao noted a stark contrast.

When I was a young MP, we would sit together after sessions, share meals, and talk openly. Even Speaker Wapakhabulo would invite members for candid discussions. That was the spirit of a national parliament.

He warned that the current climate is dangerous for the future that Uganda and its leaders are building for the younger generations.

Now, we hear of people plotting to harm each other. That’s not the Uganda we should be building. Some individuals—allegedly—are willing to kill to maintain power. I’ve received threats of being shot and worse. This has been my life for years, requiring increased security.

Mao added that the threats extend beyond him to some journalists and musicians who give him airtime play on different media platforms.

After my remarks in Kyankwanzi circulated on TikTok, even the journalist who recorded them received threats.

People invited to my birthday were warned against attending. Musicians I hosted after the copyright law was passed were also intimidated. Is this the kind of country we want?

Despite the pressure, he remains defiant and keeps pushing for what he believes is right.

“Ugandans should give me a medal for standing firm and enduring this pressure.”