A dramatic political development has emerged surrounding former Speaker of Parliament Anita Among after reports that President Yoweri Museveni directed that she be released from house arrest and would not face charges over corruption-related allegations that had been circulating against her.
The development has sparked fresh debate among Ugandans, particularly because Among had recently experienced one of the biggest political setbacks of her career after losing her position at the centre of parliamentary leadership and becoming the subject of security and investigative operations.
The controversy reportedly began after Muhoozi’s Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) withdrew its endorsement of Anita Among and Thomas Tayebwa for the positions of Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the 12th Parliament.
Instead, PLU reportedly shifted its support to former Defence Minister Jacob Oboth Oboth, creating uncertainty over Among’s political future and her chances of returning to the powerful parliamentary position she had previously occupied.
Among had remained one of the most influential figures in Parliament, but her political fortunes appeared to change rapidly. Reports indicated that on May 12 she was free, but three days later she was placed under house arrest as security agencies intensified their operations around her properties.
Several of her residences were reportedly searched by security personnel, with police and the army allegedly taking away various items during the operations. The reported searches attracted widespread attention because of the high political profile of the former Speaker.
Among’s properties in different parts of Kampala and Bukedea were reportedly targeted during the operations. The searches reportedly involved homes in Nakasero, Kololo and Kigo, as well as properties in Bukedea associated with her family and close associates.
According to reports, security personnel recovered or confiscated items including luxury vehicles, electronic devices, documents, cameras and large amounts of cash in different currencies. The exact status of the seized property has remained a matter of public interest.
The former Speaker subsequently found herself outside the parliamentary leadership race that she had reportedly been determined to win. Her removal from the contest marked a significant change for a politician who had previously appeared firmly established at the top of Parliament.
Her political troubles deepened when she was not considered for a ministerial position despite President Museveni appointing several politicians who had been viewed as her opponents or political rivals.
Among those reportedly appointed were Persis Namuganza, Lydia Wanyoto and Alioni Yorke Odria. The appointments further fuelled speculation about changing political alliances and the future of Among within the ruling establishment.
The Bukedea Woman MP was also reportedly placed on the parliamentary committee dealing with presidential affairs, chaired by National Unity Platform MP Francis Zaake, a politician widely known to have had political disagreements with Among.
The situation represented a remarkable reversal for the former Speaker, who had previously exercised significant authority within Parliament and was regarded as one of the country’s most powerful female political figures.
At the same time, the Inspectorate of Government was reportedly furnished with information and evidence that could have supported investigations into allegations involving the former Speaker. The allegations reportedly included corruption, illicit enrichment, money laundering and claims of networks of influence within Parliament.
However, despite the investigations and security operations, Among was not taken before court to face the alleged offences. Instead, the political and legal situation surrounding her appeared to take another unexpected turn.
Several people who had worked within Parliament were reportedly arrested and charged over alleged corruption, embezzlement and money laundering. Among those mentioned was former Parliament Director of Communications Chris Obore, alongside other individuals.
Their cases have continued to attract attention, although the allegations against them remain subject to the judicial process and should not be treated as proof of guilt before the courts make their determinations.
The latest twist reportedly came from Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the Chief of Defence Forces and President Museveni’s son, who took to social media and stated that his father had directed him to release Among from house arrest.
Muhoozi further reportedly said that President Museveni had decided to forgive Among and that she would not be charged over the alleged offences. The claim has generated widespread discussion about whether the former Speaker has now effectively been cleared of the political and corruption storm that surrounded her.
If the reports are accurate, the development would mark a remarkable turnaround for Among, who only weeks earlier had been at the centre of investigations, searches and political uncertainty.
The decision has also revived questions about how high-profile corruption allegations involving senior political figures are handled in Uganda. Supporters and critics of the government are likely to interpret the development differently, with some viewing it as a political decision and others questioning what will happen to the evidence and property reportedly collected during the investigations.
For now, Among’s political future remains a subject of intense interest. After falling from one of the most powerful positions in Parliament and facing a period of unprecedented scrutiny, the reported decision to release her without prosecution could open another chapter in her political career.
The biggest question now is whether the former Speaker will return to active political life with renewed influence or remain away from the centre of national politics. Whatever happens next, the dramatic events surrounding her have already become one of the most closely watched political stories in Uganda.
