NATIONAL
Former Speaker of Parliament, Anita Annet Among, has withdrawn from the race for Speaker of the 12th Parliament amid intensifying investigation in alleged corruption and self enrichment accusations.
In a long post shared on her official X account on Sunday evening, Among said she would not offer herself for the top parliamentary seat, citing the need to maintain “harmony and clarity” within the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM). Her decision, she said was after “wide consultations and deep introspection.”
“I wish to categorically and unequivocally state that I will not be offering myself for the Speakership race of the 12th Parliament,” Among stated.
Among previously served as the Deputy Speaker and later Speaker of the 10th and 11th parliament. She was seeking reelection for a second term as speaker. However, this didn’t yield as she is facing probe over alleged corruption. The legislator representing Bukedde Women in the 12th parliament has also been facing stiff competition from other party members and those aligning with the NRM in the race.
It should be recalled that there are heightened political tension and ongoing investigations into allegations of corruption, abuse of office and unexplained wealth linked to the outgoing Speaker, which could have prompted her withdrawal from the race.
In recent days, security agencies conducted searches at Among’s residences in Kololo and Kigo as part of investigations into alleged illicit enrichment. Large sums of money in Uganda shillings, US dollars and euros were allegedly recovered during the operations, although security agencies had not officially communicated on the matter by Monday evening.
Her withdrawal is expected to reshape the race for Speaker of the 12th Parliament, with attention now shifting to candidates reportedly backed by the NRM leadership.
Chief of Defence Forces Muhoozi Kainerugaba recently publicly endorsed Jacob Oboth Oboth for the Speakership. Other candidates are Justice Minister Nobert Mao, Alioni Yorke Odria, Florence Asiimwe, Princess Persis Namuganza, and Lydia Wanyoto Matende. Political sources within the ruling party also indicate that President Museveni is said to favour Oboth for the position, although the party had not formally announced its flag bearer by press time.
Elections for the speaker and deputy speaker of parliament is scheduled for May 25, following the swearing-in of the members of parliament and the President, according to the office of the Clerk to parliament. Parrots Media has learned that the NRM is expected to convene a meeting in the coming days to harmonise positions ahead of the election of parliamentary leaders for the 12th Parliament.
Among also pledged support to candidates who will be endorsed by the President and the ruling party.
“I pledge my total support to the candidates who will be endorsed by the President and the Party, and implore all colleague MPs of the 12th Parliament to do the same,” she said.
She also said she would continue cooperating with state agencies probing the allegations.
“In the meantime, I pledge to continue cooperating with all ongoing investigations as initiated by the relevant organs of the state to get to the root of all the allegations raised,” she said.
