Makerere University scholar Yusuf Sserunkuma has drawn attention to deeper governance questions in Uganda following the withdrawal of Speaker Anita Among from the 2026–2031 speakership race, as she faces an ongoing corruption investigation.
Among’s exit comes as the Inspectorate of Government continues probing allegations linked to her wealth and leadership conduct.
Her residences were recently searched by security agencies as part of the inquiry, while her financial declarations and assets remain under scrutiny.
The Speaker has previously been sanctioned by the United Kingdom and the United States over corruption-related allegations, claims she has repeatedly denied, insisting they are politically motivated.
Her decision not to contest the speakership has been widely interpreted as a significant political shift, with reports indicating reduced backing within the ruling establishment ahead of the next parliamentary cycle.
Sserunkuma, commenting on the developments, placed the case within Uganda’s broader political structure, arguing that the country operates under what he described as a “pretense of democracy.”
He questioned the nature of accountability in such a system, where anti-corruption enforcement appears strong but is also closely tied to political power and influence.
“Uganda is a pretense of democracy – and the entire country has been ruined,” he said, adding that the state has increasingly taken on authoritarian tendencies while maintaining democratic institutions on paper.
He further argued that the unfolding situation around Among raises difficult questions about how accountability is achieved and who determines when political figures fall from power.
According to him, the case is not straightforward, pointing to the possibility that internal political dynamics may be shaping outcomes alongside formal investigations.
Her exit from the race, he noted, leaves a dilemma on how the public should interpret the situation—whether as progress in fighting corruption or as evidence of selective enforcement.
“Her downfall is confusing: should the country celebrate her downfall or condemn the non-democratic nature in which she has been brought down?” he posed.
Sserunkuma also questioned whether it is possible to rebuild political order through processes that are themselves influenced by power struggles, suggesting that the line between justice and politics is increasingly blurred.
The remarks come at a time when Uganda’s political environment is under renewed scrutiny, particularly around governance, succession politics, and the role of oversight institutions.
While investigations into Among continue, her departure from the speakership race has already reshaped parliamentary leadership dynamics and intensified debate over how accountability is exercised in the country.