Activist and social media commentator Gideon Nova Kwikiriza has sparked debate after commenting on the ongoing investigations and security raids targeting former Speaker of Parliament Anita Among, arguing that the developments are driven more by political calculations than purely corruption allegations.
Among is currently facing intensified scrutiny from security agencies, including coordinated raids on her residences in Nakasero, Kigo and Munyonyo, as well as searches linked to parliamentary offices.
Investigators are probing allegations of corruption, illicit wealth accumulation, abuse of office, and money laundering, with reports indicating that a wide range of electronic devices and financial documents have been seized for forensic analysis.
Kwikiriza, however, maintains that corruption alone does not fully explain the intensity of the current pressure on the former Speaker.
“You can troll Anita Among all you want, and you have every right to, but the bitter truth is that she’s not going through all this because of corruption,” he said.
He argues that corruption has long been embedded within the country’s governance system and is often tolerated when it aligns with state interests. He further claims that several officials accused of similar wrongdoing have not faced comparable levels of scrutiny.
Kwikiriza shifts attention to what he describes as Among’s growing political influence within Parliament, suggesting that her ability to mobilise legislators may have altered internal power dynamics at the top level of government.
“Among’s greatest mistake was her mobilization power. While she thought she was mobilizing to impress the royal family, she ended up building influence that turned into a threat to the powers that be,” he said.
He further alleges that parliamentary control under Among was used to advance government priorities, including the passage of key bills and budgets.
However, he argues that such political management is not unique to her tenure.
“Yes, Among used taxpayers’ money to subdue Parliament and keep MPs under her armpits for purposes of passing bills and budgets favourable to the establishment. But honestly, what she spent doing that job is probably not even half of what the President spent doing the same job before her,” he added.
Kwikiriza also suggests that President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni is historically cautious about independent centres of influence within state institutions, particularly Parliament, which constitutionally holds powers of oversight and even impeachment.
“Gen. Museveni does not take chances. How could he comfortably watch one person wield so much influence over Parliament; an institution that constitutionally has the power to impeach a president?” he posed.
He draws parallels with previous tensions involving former parliamentary leaders, arguing that institutional clashes often emerge when political figures accumulate significant independent authority.
Kwikiriza concludes that the current situation surrounding Among is largely political rather than strictly legal or moral.
“If this fight was genuinely about corruption, then people like Mawanda would already be in prison, and even her deputy would equally be answering serious questions,” he said.