The Rolls Royce seized From one of Anita Among's Residences
Human rights lawyer and activist Sarah Bireete has written an open appeal to Rolls-Royce Motor Cars following the seizure of a luxury vehicle linked to Speaker of Parliament Anita Annet Among during a security operation in Uganda.
The Rolls-Royce Cullinan, valued at more than Shs3.4 billion according to import and tax assessments, was impounded during coordinated raids by security agencies at Among’s residences in Kigo, Nakasero, and Ntinda.
The vehicle was later taken to Naguru Police Headquarters as investigations into alleged corruption and financial irregularities continue.
Authorities have previously linked the vehicle to import documentation under Anita Foundation Limited, while the Uganda Revenue Authority has indicated that applicable taxes could exceed Shs1.2 billion.
Among has maintained that the vehicle was a personal gift, a position that has remained part of the public debate surrounding the ongoing probe.
In her letter, Bireete directly addressed the manufacturer, arguing that the matter has moved beyond local politics into questions of brand identity and global reputation.
“To the custodians of excellence, dignity, and timeless craftsmanship,” she wrote, “I write not merely about a motor car, but about what your name represents across continents: honor, prestige, and the quiet confidence of integrity. Today, that symbolism is imperiled in Uganda.”
She said the seizure and public attention surrounding the vehicle risk undermining what the brand stands for globally.
“A brand-new Rolls-Royce, lawfully acquired and proudly owned by Anita Annet Among, has been confiscated amid a storm of politics, allegations, and public spectacle,” she stated. “Whatever the merits or demerits of the surrounding controversy, one truth remains clear: a Rolls-Royce is never just property.”
Bireete urged the company to take a more active role in the matter, calling on it to engage Ugandan authorities.
“I appeal to you to intervene; not as a partisan actor, but as a guardian of your brand’s dignity,” she wrote. “Engage the authorities. Seek clarity. Protect the sanctity of ownership and due process.”
She added that the situation had implications beyond Uganda.
“Africa watches. Uganda watches. And history, as it always does, will remember whether silence or principle prevailed,” she said.
Bireete further warned against what she described as the symbolic misuse of luxury goods in political disputes.
“A Rolls-Royce should never be humiliated in a public square,” she wrote. “Nor should the ideals it embodies.”
She concluded by urging the manufacturer to protect the values associated with its brand.
“Come, rescue not just a motor car, but the values your Spirit of Ecstasy was meant to represent,” she stated.