From Power To Pressure: The Unraveling of Anita Among’s Political Grip

On March 25, 2022, Anita Annet Among rose to one of the most powerful offices in Uganda, elected Speaker of the 11th Parliament following the death of her predecessor, Jacob Oulanyah, in Seattle, United States, where he had been undergoing treatment.

Her ascent marked a consolidation of influence within the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM). Regarded as a loyal ally of President Yoweri Museveni, Among quickly entrenched herself as a central figure in advancing the government’s legislative agenda, projecting authority and signaling a firm stance against dissent within Parliament.

Under her leadership, the 11th Parliament became one of the most active in recent history. Since 2021, the House held more than 450 sittings and passed at least 166 pieces of legislation figures that reflected a chamber prioritising output and efficiency, often fast-tracking government business under tight timelines.

But her tenure would come to be defined as much by controversy as productivity.

One of the most consequential laws passed during her leadership was the Anti-Homosexuality Act, 2023. The legislation, which criminalises same-sex relations as well as the promotion and recognition of such relationships, sparked widespread international condemnation from foreign governments and human rights organisations.

Despite the backlash, the law enjoyed strong domestic support, particularly from religious leaders and conservative groups who argued it reflected Uganda’s cultural and moral values. President Museveni’s assent cemented it as one of the most defining and divisive acts of the 11th Parliament.

For much of her tenure, Among appeared politically untouchable. Her influence within both Parliament and NRM structures positioned her as a frontrunner for the speakership of the 12th Parliament.

A high-stakes meeting held on May 14, 2026, at State House Entebbe marked a turning point. The closed-door session, attended by President Museveni, former Speaker Rebecca Kadaga, and a group of religious leaders, reportedly exposed deep fractures within the political establishment.

Sources indicate the meeting turned tense, with Among and Kadaga engaging in a sharp exchange. In the aftermath, attention shifted to questions of wealth accumulation among top officials, with Kadaga reportedly tasked to explain the source of funds for a newly acquired Shs3.5 billion Rolls-Royce.

Despite having earlier secured endorsement from the NRM’s National Executive Committee (NEC), Among was reportedly asked to step down from the race for Speaker of the 12th Parliament. She was also barred from interacting with newly sworn-in Members of Parliament ahead of the crucial speakership vote which was scheduled for May 25, 2026.

On May 16, 2026, the Inspector General of Government (IGG), Justice Aisha Batala Nalule, confirmed that investigations had been launched into allegations of corruption against Among. The probe stemmed from a petition filed by a group of lawyers raising concerns over alleged financial impropriety.

Nalule pledged a thorough investigation, urging the public to continue reporting suspected corruption and misconduct among public officials.

On May 15, Clerk to Parliament Adolf Mwesige was interrogated at the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) headquarters as part of the ongoing inquiries. Investigators are also understood to have reached out to the Bank of Uganda to obtain financial records linked to the case.

The timing of the investigations proved critical coming just as Among had been edged out of a race she had appeared well-positioned to win, buoyed by strong backing from newly elected MPs.

On May 16, joint teams from the Uganda Police Force and the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) raided Among’s residence in Nakasero in an operation that lasted more than 10 hours. Authorities did not immediately disclose the purpose of the search, fueling speculation and public intrigue.

The operation later extended to her residence in Kigo, which was subsequently placed under heavy guard, with soldiers from the Special Forces Command (SFC) deployed at the scene.

During the raids, security operatives widened their sweep, impounding several high-end vehicles linked to the Speaker. These included a Rolls-Royce and a Range Rover, as well as four other vehicles further intensifying public scrutiny over the extent of her wealth.

In a related development, Parliament also moved to withdraw official vehicles attached to her office, signaling a sharp shift in institutional support and underscoring the gravity of the unfolding situation.

During the operations, two Parliament staff members were reportedly arrested, although their identities had not been officially confirmed by press time.

By Monday, the pressure had intensified further, with the seizure of vehicles and heightened security presence around her residences dominating public attention. Amid mounting uncertainty, Among announced her withdrawal from the speakership race.

“After wide consultations and deep introspection, and to maintain harmony and clarity in my party, the National Resistance Movement, I will not be offering myself for the Speakership of the 12th Parliament,” she said in a statement released Monday morning.

She expressed gratitude to President Museveni, the NRM, and Members of Parliament for the opportunity to serve as both Deputy Speaker and Speaker, pledging to support party-endorsed candidates and to cooperate with ongoing investigations.

“I remain available to serve my country in any capacity as may be assigned by the party and the President,” she added.

In May 2024, the United States imposed sanctions on Among and several Ugandan officials over allegations of corruption and gross human rights violations. The measures were extended to her spouse, Moses Magogo Hassim, significantly affecting her international engagements.

Similar restrictions were later adopted by the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates, forcing her to miss key global events, including the Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in Sydney and Commonwealth Day celebrations.

Back home, she also faced criticism over her stance on corruption-related cases involving Members of Parliament.

In June 2024, Among publicly defended several MPs detained over corruption allegations, urging voters to re-elect some of them during a public event in Bukoto West Constituency. The remarks drew sharp criticism from governance and accountability advocates, who accused her of downplaying corruption concerns.

As investigations deepen and the political landscape shifts, Among’s trajectory from a dominant figure at the pinnacle of legislative power to one under intense scrutiny underscores the volatility of political authority in Uganda.

What began as a steady rise has, within a short span, morphed into a high-stakes struggle defined by political intrigue, institutional pressure, and unanswered questions.

Whether she weathers the storm or fades from the centre of Uganda’s political stage remains uncertain. For now, the once-powerful Speaker finds herself at the heart of one of the country’s most closely watched political dramas.

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