Former Government Spokesperson and newly elected Member of Parliament for Older Persons Ofwono Opondo has weighed in on the corruption investigations facing former Speaker of Parliament Anita Among, saying she is not the first senior government official to come under scrutiny.
Speaking during a recent engagement, Opondo argued that high office does not place any leader above the law, insisting that accountability mechanisms have previously been applied to powerful figures within government.
He cited past cases involving former Vice President Prof. Gilbert Bukenya and former Inspector General of Police Gen. Kale Kayihura as examples of senior officials who faced investigations and prosecution.
“This is not the first. You remember the case of Bukenya, the Vice President had served for nine years, he was investigated, arrested, charged before a court of law, and the case was collapsed midway,” Opondo said.
He maintained that the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) has consistently upheld the principle that no individual is immune to legal processes, regardless of their position or political influence.
“When NRM says nobody should be above the law, we mean exactly that,” he added.
Opondo further noted that leadership positions are temporary and do not shield individuals from accountability once they leave office.
“Yes, you can be a Speaker today, tomorrow you are not,” he said, underscoring the fluid nature of political power.
He also referenced the case of Gen. Kayihura, who served as Inspector General of Police for over a decade before facing legal proceedings.
“Kale Kayihura was IGP for how long? Twelve years? Did he do bad for mobilising for NRM and keeping the state firm? He was investigated, charged before military court martial, tried, and along the way the case collapsed,” Opondo stated.
His remarks come at a time when Anita Among is facing heightened public scrutiny and investigative processes over alleged corruption-related concerns during her tenure in Parliament leadership.
Opondo, however, stressed that investigations should not be interpreted as guilt, but as part of due process.
“So, Anita is not an exception. The process will absolve her if the investigators don't find anything credible tying her to those allegations,” he said.