Outgoing Speaker of Parliament Anita Among has withdrawn from the race to lead Uganda’s 12th Parliament, ending weeks of intense political pressure, corruption allegations and dramatic security operations targeting her properties.
In a statement issued on May 17, Among said her decision followed consultations within the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party and ongoing investigations into allegations of illicit enrichment, money laundering and undeclared assets.
“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,” Among said in remarks quoted by Daily Monitor.
Her withdrawal came just hours before security agencies launched sweeping searches at her residences in Kampala and Kigo in an operation that reportedly lasted more than 16 hours.
Joint teams from the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID), military intelligence and other security agencies raided multiple properties linked to Among, seizing luxury vehicles, electronic devices and financial documents as part of widening corruption investigations.
Among the items impounded was a black Rolls-Royce Cullinan reportedly worth about $900,000 (approximately Shs3.4 billion), alongside a Range Rover with personalized registration plates. Videos and photographs circulating online showed the luxury vehicles being escorted through Kampala to Naguru Police Headquarters under heavy security deployment.
Investigators are reportedly examining suspicious contracts, procurement arrangements and financial withdrawals linked to Parliament and entities associated with Among. Local media reports indicated that transactions under scrutiny could exceed UGX 50 billion.
The developments mark a dramatic fall for Among, who rose rapidly through Uganda’s political ranks to become one of the country’s most powerful leaders after replacing Jacob Oulanyah as Speaker in 2022.
Her troubles, however, intensified after the 2023 Karamoja iron sheets scandal, in which senior government officials were accused of diverting relief iron sheets intended for vulnerable communities in Karamoja sub-region.
In April 2024, the United Kingdom sanctioned Among under its Global Anti-Corruption sanctions regime, accusing her of benefiting from proceeds of serious corruption. The sanctions included travel restrictions and asset freezes.
The United States later imposed sanctions on Among and her husband, accusing them of involvement in significant corruption and abuse of public office.
Public pressure against the Speaker escalated further this month after reports emerged that she had imported a luxury Rolls-Royce Cullinan, sparking outrage on social media amid ongoing economic hardships in the country.
At the same time, fresh complaints were filed before the Inspectorate of Government accusing Among of failing to properly declare her assets in accordance with the Leadership Code Act.
The controversy also triggered calls for broader investigations into Parliament’s administration.
Speaking on UBC Television, Aringa South County MP Yorke Odria Alioni alleged that Parliament under Among’s leadership had illegally recruited more than 500 individuals.
“The leadership of Anita Among illegally employed over 500 individuals at Parliament. We also want the offices of Human Resource, Finance and Communications at Parliament investigated,” Alioni said during the televised interview.
The ruling NRM party is now expected to front a new candidate for Speaker ahead of the convening of the 12th Parliament, with several names already circulating within political circles.
Political analysts say Among’s withdrawal signals a significant shift within Uganda’s power structures as anti-corruption investigations increasingly target senior public officials.
Neither CID nor Uganda Police had formally announced criminal charges against Among by Monday evening, but investigations remained ongoing across multiple agencies.