Archival Sense
JF-Expert Member
- Dec 16, 2025
- 576
- 252
Outgoing Speaker of Parliament Anita Among has withdrawn from the race for the Speakership of the 12th Parliament, bringing a dramatic turn to an increasingly tense political contest overshadowed by mounting corruption investigations and internal ruling party dynamics.
In a public statement released on her X page, Among said her decision followed “wide consultations and deep introspection” aimed at preserving unity and harmony within the ruling National Resistance Movement.
“I wish to categorically and unequivocally state that I will not be offering myself for the Speakership race of the 12th Parliament,” Among stated.
She expressed gratitude to President Yoweri Museveni, the NRM party, and members of the 11th Parliament for entrusting her with the positions of Deputy Speaker and later Speaker over the last five years. She also thanked her family and close associates for standing by her during her tenure.
Among further pledged loyalty to the party’s eventual position, saying she would fully support candidates endorsed by both President Museveni and the NRM leadership.
“I pledge my total support to the candidates who will be endorsed by the President and the Party, and implore all colleague MPs of the 12th Parliament to do the same,” she said.
The outgoing Speaker also signaled willingness to continue serving in any capacity assigned by the President and the party, while addressing the ongoing investigations surrounding her.
“In the meantime, I pledge to continue cooperating with all ongoing investigations as initiated by the relevant organs of the state to get to the root of all the allegations raised,” she added.
Her withdrawal comes at a time when she is at the centre of an extensive corruption probe led by the Inspectorate of Government. The investigations have involved coordinated operations between the Criminal Investigations Directorate, the Uganda People's Defence Forces, the Special Forces Command, and the Uganda Police Force.
The agencies have conducted raids and evidence gathering operations at several residences linked to the outgoing Speaker in Nakasero and Kigo as part of widening investigations into allegations of corruption, unexplained wealth accumulation, procurement irregularities, and abuse of office.
The development marks a significant moment in Uganda’s parliamentary politics, with analysts viewing Among’s withdrawal as both a political concession and an attempt to contain growing pressure from within the ruling establishment as scrutiny over public accountability intensifies ahead of the 12th Parliament.
In a public statement released on her X page, Among said her decision followed “wide consultations and deep introspection” aimed at preserving unity and harmony within the ruling National Resistance Movement.
“I wish to categorically and unequivocally state that I will not be offering myself for the Speakership race of the 12th Parliament,” Among stated.
She expressed gratitude to President Yoweri Museveni, the NRM party, and members of the 11th Parliament for entrusting her with the positions of Deputy Speaker and later Speaker over the last five years. She also thanked her family and close associates for standing by her during her tenure.
Among further pledged loyalty to the party’s eventual position, saying she would fully support candidates endorsed by both President Museveni and the NRM leadership.
“I pledge my total support to the candidates who will be endorsed by the President and the Party, and implore all colleague MPs of the 12th Parliament to do the same,” she said.
The outgoing Speaker also signaled willingness to continue serving in any capacity assigned by the President and the party, while addressing the ongoing investigations surrounding her.
“In the meantime, I pledge to continue cooperating with all ongoing investigations as initiated by the relevant organs of the state to get to the root of all the allegations raised,” she added.
Her withdrawal comes at a time when she is at the centre of an extensive corruption probe led by the Inspectorate of Government. The investigations have involved coordinated operations between the Criminal Investigations Directorate, the Uganda People's Defence Forces, the Special Forces Command, and the Uganda Police Force.
The agencies have conducted raids and evidence gathering operations at several residences linked to the outgoing Speaker in Nakasero and Kigo as part of widening investigations into allegations of corruption, unexplained wealth accumulation, procurement irregularities, and abuse of office.
The development marks a significant moment in Uganda’s parliamentary politics, with analysts viewing Among’s withdrawal as both a political concession and an attempt to contain growing pressure from within the ruling establishment as scrutiny over public accountability intensifies ahead of the 12th Parliament.
