Anita Among Withdraws from Speakership Race as Anti-Corruption Investigations Intensify
Former Speaker’s midnight announcement triggers fresh demands for sweeping parliamentary reforms
In a dramatic late-night reversal that has sent shockwaves through Uganda’s political landscape, former Speaker of Parliament Anita Among announced her withdrawal from the race for Speaker of the 12th Parliament on Sunday, just days after heavily armed security teams raided her residences in Nakasero and Kigo as part of ongoing investigations into alleged corruption and abuse of office.
Among posted her statement on X at 11:50 pm, marking a sharp political turnaround for a leader who had repeatedly projected confidence about securing a second term, often dismissing critics and portraying her re-election as inevitable.
“After wide consultations and deep introspection, and to maintain harmony and clarity in my beloved party, the NRM, I wish to categorically and unequivocally state that I will not be offering myself for the Speakership race of the 12th Parliament,” Among wrote.
She thanked President Yoweri Museveni, the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), Members of Parliament, family, and friends for supporting her political journey as Deputy Speaker and later Speaker. Among further pledged loyalty to the candidates eventually endorsed by the ruling party and said she would continue cooperating with state agencies investigating allegations against her.
Security Operation Intensifies
Despite expectations that Among’s withdrawal would ease political tensions, the security operation surrounding the corruption probe appeared to intensify on Monday. Witnesses reported seeing police tow trucks transporting two luxury vehicles, including Among’s Rolls-Royce, from her Kigo residence to Police Headquarters in Naguru.
Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba continued posting messages on X suggesting that the anti-corruption crackdown would widen beyond the former Speaker, warning that if investigations extended to all MPs, many legislators including Opposition members could lose their seats.
By press time, media reports indicated that investigators had extended searches to another residence linked to the former Speaker in Ntinda.
Byanyima: Parliament Has Become “A Den of Thieves”
Among’s withdrawal quickly reignited calls for sweeping institutional reforms within Parliament. Former Mbarara Municipality MP and UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima described Parliament as a compromised institution that had lost public trust due to unchecked extravagance and alleged misuse of public resources.
In a strongly worded statement posted on X, Byanyima criticized what she termed the “obscene accumulation of wealth” by political leaders through luxury cars, mansions, lavish spending, and the monetization of political influence.
“Parliaments are meant to guard the public purse and hold governments accountable. Ours has become a den of thieves, no longer a House of the People,” Byanyima wrote.
She called for Parliament to be restructured through reduction in size, tighter financial controls, and stronger accountability mechanisms.
Tension and Anxiety at Parliament
At Parliament, anxiety and uncertainty dominated the atmosphere. Groups of staff members were seen holding hushed conversations in corridors, while several outgoing MPs reportedly stayed away from the precincts altogether.
Kyadondo East MP Muwada Nkunyingi was briefly seen at Parliament but declined to comment to journalists — an unusual move for a legislator known for active media engagement.
Meanwhile, Clerk to Parliament Adolf Mwesige chaired a closed-door meeting with senior parliamentary directors in the South Committee Room amid growing calls for investigations to extend to multiple departments accused of facilitating large-scale corruption and irregular recruitment. Notably absent from the meeting was Chris Obore, the Director of Communications and Public Affairs.
MPs Demand Broader Investigations
Aringa South MP Yorke Alion welcomed the ongoing investigations into Among’s leadership but demanded that the probe expand to other government institutions and departments within Parliament.
Addressing journalists at Parliament, Alion alleged that more than 500 staff members had been recruited irregularly during Among’s tenure without proper advertisement of positions.
“The fight against corruption in this country has just started from Parliament,” Alion said. “The next move should be the Ministry of Finance. We need to clean up this country without fear or favour.”
He further accused departments such as Human Resources, Finance, Transport, and Communications of orchestrating corruption schemes, including excessive expenditure on vehicle maintenance and cleaning.
Alion also argued that Among’s exit could restore media freedom within Parliament, alleging that some media houses had faced restrictions under the previous leadership. “There is no press censorship here anymore. The media must report freely,” he said.
Namara Announces Deputy Speaker Bid
Buyaga West MP Denis Namara used the moment to announce his bid for Deputy Speaker, positioning himself as part of a new leadership generation determined to restore Parliament’s image.
Namara said public trust in MPs had sharply deteriorated due to persistent corruption allegations. “Nowadays when people see MPs, they think of thieves,” Namara said, recounting how he recently avoided standing for recognition during a church service in Ntinda for fear of public hostility.
While welcoming the investigations into Among, Namara stopped short of declaring her guilty, stressing that only courts of law could make such determinations. He nonetheless argued that the anti-corruption campaign aligned with President Museveni’s “kisanja hakuna mchezo” governance message emphasizing discipline and accountability.
Rwampara County MP Amos Kankunda also urged Parliament to use the scandal as an opportunity to rebuild public confidence in the institution.
“We need to reflect on ourselves and see how best we can clean our image and create an accountable Parliament in the eyes of the public,” Kankunda said.
Civil Society Welcomes Probe, Calls for Impartiality
Agora Centre for Research, the civic organization that spearheaded online campaigns exposing alleged corruption and abuse of office in Parliament, welcomed the investigations but criticized the government for previously dismissing anti-corruption activists.
In a statement signed by Executive Director Agather Atuhaire, Agora said whistleblowers and protesters had for nearly two years been branded troublemakers, arrested, and detained while raising concerns about misuse of public funds.
The organization called for impartial investigations and non-selective prosecution of all individuals implicated in wrongdoing.
“Every misallocated shilling must be traced, recovered, and redirected to the pressing needs of Ugandans such as healthcare, infrastructure, and education,” the statement read.
Agora also emphasized that Among, like all suspects, deserved due process and a fair hearing.
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