Ofwono Opondo
Former Government spokesperson and newly elected MP for Older Persons Ofwono Opondo has dismissed media reports suggesting that former Speaker Anita Among is under strict house arrest, saying his personal visit painted a very different picture.
Speaking during an appearance on Capital Gang, Opondo revealed that he visited Among at her residence on Thursday to independently assess her situation following widespread reports of restrictions and heavy security deployment.
He said the visit lasted more than two hours and included interactions with other political leaders who also arrived during the meeting.
“Yes, I visited former Speaker Anita Among on Thursday to understand her situation beyond media reports,” Opondo said. “We spent over two hours talking as other leaders also came through. In tough moments, showing up matters.”
Opondo further described his experience at the residence, stating that he encountered a calm environment secured by what he termed standard VIP protection provided by police and the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF).
He said he was allowed entry without obstruction.
“I drove to former Speaker Anita Among’s home to check on her following intense media reports of a strict house arrest,” he said.
“I found a calm environment with standard VIP police and UPDF security who waved me through.”
He added that the narrative circulating in sections of the media about a total communications blackout and a heavily restricted compound did not align with what he observed firsthand.
“The media reported a total communications blackout and heavy lockdown at Anita Among’s residence, but my visit painted a different picture,” he noted.
“No visible hostility—just regular security who ushered me in to chat for over two hours.”
The remarks come amid heightened political scrutiny surrounding the former Speaker following her exit from the parliamentary leadership and ongoing public debate about her influence and political future.