Speaker Anita Among
Uganda’s transition to the 12th Parliament has been overshadowed by an escalating contest over the Speaker’s position, placing outgoing Speaker Anita Annet Among at the centre of a political storm that is raising fresh questions about power, accountability, and institutional independence.
What began as a routine leadership change has turned into a high-stakes political battle.
Although Among secured endorsement from the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) Central Executive Committee earlier this year, recent developments suggest her position is no longer secure.
Reports from Kampala indicate that a high-level meeting at State House chaired by President Yoweri Museveni may have reshaped the race.
According to political insiders, Among was asked to step aside, while General Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s public backing of Defence Minister Jacob Oboth-Oboth has added a new dimension to the contest.
Human rights defender and lawyer Sarah Bireete says the unfolding developments point to deeper issues within Uganda’s governance system.
“What should have been a routine changeover between parliaments has instead turned into one of the most telling political moments in recent Ugandan history,” Bireete said.
“The contest surrounding Anita Among is not simply about who holds the gavel. It has exposed long-standing tensions over power, accountability and who truly controls key institutions in Uganda.”
Among rose to the speakership under dramatic circumstances and presided over the 11th Parliament during a period marked by heated political debates and controversial legislation. Her leadership has since drawn both praise and criticism.
“To her supporters, she was firm, organised and politically astute. To her critics, she came to symbolise excess, insensitivity and a growing disconnect between leaders and the public,” Bireete noted.
At the centre of the current debate are renewed questions about wealth and public trust.
Allegations surrounding the source of Among’s assets have resurfaced, with petitions and reports pointing to her lifestyle, including high-value properties and public cash donations.
State institutions are reportedly examining whether there were breaches of the Leadership Code Act, although no official findings have been made public.
“For many citizens, the details of any investigation matter less than the signal it sends,” Bireete said.
“In a country where corruption allegations often fade without consequence, the mere fact that scrutiny is occurring has political significance.”
She added that the controversy reflects growing frustration among citizens facing economic hardship.
“It reflects a widening gap between leaders and ordinary Ugandans, many of whom are struggling with the cost of living,” she stated.
Bireete also pointed to the role of informal power structures in shaping political outcomes, arguing that the Speaker’s race has highlighted how decisions are often influenced outside constitutional frameworks.
“While Parliament is mandated to elect its Speaker independently, reality suggests that executive influence remains decisive,” she said.
“Reports of closed-door meetings and public endorsements by powerful figures reinforce the perception that such decisions are made elsewhere.”
Within Parliament and across public discourse, opinions about Among remain divided. Some legislators credit her with strengthening the institution, while critics argue that her leadership did not reflect the concerns of ordinary citizens.
“These competing narratives reflect a broader national dilemma on leadership and accountability,” Bireete observed.
“How do leaders maintain the dignity of high office while remaining accountable to a public that is increasingly demanding transparency?”
As the 12th Parliament prepares to elect its leadership, the outcome of the Speaker’s race is being closely watched across the country.
“Ultimately, this is about more than one individual,” Bireete said.
“It reflects how power is exercised in Uganda, how accountability is pursued, and whether Parliament can act independently of the executive.”