KAMPALA, Uganda — July 7, 2026 — Former Speaker of Parliament Anita Annet Among has been designated to the Committee on Government Assurance and Implementation, where she will serve under the chairmanship of one of her fiercest political critics, Francis Zaake, in what is shaping up to be one of the most closely watched committee dynamics of the 12th Parliament.
The committee assignments, announced as Parliament completes the constitution of its standing committees, place the Bukedea District Woman MP and former Speaker on a committee chaired by the Opposition-designated Mityana Municipality MP. Soroti District Woman MP Anna Adeke has been named the committee’s Vice Chairperson.
The Committee on Government Assurance and Implementation is mandated to follow up on government promises, assurances and commitments made on the floor of Parliament and ensure that ministries, departments and agencies implement them.
The appointment has attracted widespread attention because of the well-documented history of public clashes between Among and Zaake, dating back to the 11th Parliament when Among served as Deputy Speaker and later Speaker.
Political commentator Prof. Venansius Baryamureeba was among the first to react to the development, writing on X:
“Time …..I would like to see Hon. Anita Among attend a meeting chaired by Hon. Zaake. Let us be humble at all times.”
The comment alluded to years of political hostility between the two lawmakers, who have frequently clashed over parliamentary proceedings and governance issues.
Their strained relationship became public in 2022 after Zaake launched a series of social media attacks against Among, then Deputy Speaker, accusing her of mocking him over injuries he said he sustained during alleged torture by security agencies. Parliament subsequently referred Zaake to the Committee on Rules, Privileges and Discipline over the remarks.
The committee found Zaake guilty of misconduct, and Parliament voted to remove him from the Parliamentary Commission, accusing him of bringing the Office of the Speaker into disrepute through insulting comments directed at Among.
However, in 2023, the Constitutional Court quashed Zaake’s removal, ruling that Parliament had not followed the proper legal procedures and that he had not been accorded a fair hearing.
Since then, the two legislators have remained on opposite sides of several political disputes. Zaake, a member of the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP), has repeatedly criticized Among’s leadership of Parliament, while Among has presided over proceedings in which Zaake has on several occasions faced disciplinary action.
The latest committee assignments come at a politically sensitive time for Among, who is also facing increased scrutiny following ongoing investigations into alleged financial irregularities within Parliament. Although she has consistently denied any wrongdoing and has not been convicted of any offence, her placement on a committee responsible for overseeing government commitments is likely to draw public attention.
Under Parliament’s Rules of Procedure, committee chairpersons are responsible for convening meetings, presiding over deliberations and guiding committee business. As chairperson, Zaake will therefore oversee proceedings in which Among will participate as an ordinary committee member.
Whether the two lawmakers can put aside their long-running political differences to work together remains to be seen, but their assignment to the same committee is expected to be one of the most closely watched developments as the 12th Parliament begins its committee business.
