Rise and fall of speaker Anita Among

In this episode of The New Vision Podcast, journalists Nelson Kiva, Simon Masaba and Nelson Mandela Muhoozi examine the rise and troubles of Speaker Anita Among, one of the most powerful and controversial figures in Uganda’s politics. From her rapid rise in Parliament after crossing to the NRM, to the corruption allegations, international sanctions and public scrutiny over her wealth and leadership style, the discussion unpacks the events that have shaped her political journey.

Transcript

SPEAKER_03 0:00

Anani Anita Anit Among Swear in the Almighty God that I will be faithful and bear true alleged.

SPEAKER_01 0:11

Hello and welcome to the new vision daily podcast around Uganda. I'm Razia Asman. Today we bring you an in-depth political story on the rise, power, and growing controversies surrounding former Speaker of Parliament Anita Annette Among. This story, the rise and fall of Anita Among, is based on reporting by Nelson Kiva, Simon Masaba, and Nelson Mandela Mohose for the new vision.

SPEAKER_00 0:45

Anita had telephone inside the electrocommission system.

SPEAKER_05 0:51

Inside where electro electronic we had an agreement with the EC and the street of ballot.

SPEAKER_01 1:05

Anita Among's national political journey gained momentum in 2016 when she contested and won the Bukedia District Woman Member of Parliament seat on the Forum for Democratic Change FDC ticket. She defeated incumbent Rose Accoll in what was seen as a major political upset in the Tesla sub-region.

SPEAKER_04 1:28

In the game, there is always a win and a loser. She won last time and accepted.

SPEAKER_01 1:40

At the time, Among positioned herself as a youthful, energetic alternative to the established political order, quickly gaining visibility in parliament, but her rise inside parliament was unusually fast. She became active in key committees and eventually rose to chair the influential committee on commissions, statutory authorities and state enterprises in the 10th parliament. She also cultivated cross-party relationships that later became crucial to her political advancement.

SPEAKER_03 2:17

Committee members can decide to get me out of the committee. But FDC, they have no power. Those are just sweeping statements. We are going to remove remove Katoon to remove Anita, remove sweeping statements. We are there.

SPEAKER_01 2:36

In 2020, Among made a major political shift when she crossed from the opposition FDC to the ruling national resistance movement, NRM. As a leader, one should not act in annoyance. That move changed the trajectory of her political career. In May 2021, she was elected deputy speaker of the 11th parliament, defeating Mohammad Nsereko and Yusuf Nsibambi. Her victory came shortly after joining the ruling party, a transition that strengthened her position within the political establishment.

SPEAKER_03 3:13

I remain highly indebted to you for your wavering support that you've showed me by giving me all those votes for the position of a deputy speaker.

SPEAKER_01 3:28

Less than a year later, tragedy struck Parliament. Following the death of Speaker Jacob Olanya in March 2022, Anita Among rose to become Speaker of Parliament. She now presided over Uganda's legislative arm of government controlling an institution with a budget of over 1 trillion shillings. During her tenure, Parliament passed a record 26 bills while critics argued that opposition influence was significantly weakened. Supporters, however, described her as firm, decisive, and politically effective.

SPEAKER_03 4:40

I said they I told them.

SPEAKER_01 5:17

Despite her explanation, the scandal triggered national and international attention. In 2024, pressure escalated further. On April 30th, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on Anita Among and other Ugandan officials, accusing them of corruption linked to diversion of public resources. The United Arab Emirates followed on May 7th. Later, on May 30, 2024, the United States also sanctioned her, describing her as being involved in significant corruption tied to her leadership of parliament. Other officials sanctioned included former ministers Mary Goretti Chitutu, Agnes Nandutu, Amos Lugulobi, and former UPDF Deputy Commander Peter Elwelu. Among rejected the allegations. She insisted she was being politically targeted.

SPEAKER_03 6:16

When you start marching that you're marching for corruption, the first fighter for corruption is your good self.

SPEAKER_01 6:24

And we do appreciate. In early 2024, controversy deepened further following reports that former leader of opposition Matthias Mpulga had received a 500 million shilling service award which had been endorsed by the parliamentary commission chaired by Among. Although the matter was later settled in court, it generated public debate over accountability in parliament.

SPEAKER_06 6:51

You are meant to bring you to give space for all of us equally. Why are you making us suffer running through this country looking for signatures to debate this type of corruption in this parliament? You need to come out clean. Your name has been mentioned for being corrupt. We are also having a motion to have a matter debated on the commissioners. We have our evidence, we want to lay and have them defend themselves. You are all blocking us from that. What is this parliament all about? Where are you taking this?

SPEAKER_01 7:33

Even as she denied corruption allegations, public scrutiny of Anita Monk's wealth intensified. At public functions, she became known for large financial donations, in some cases exceeding those of the president. At a cancer fundraising event at St. Francis Hospital in Sambia, she donated 1 billion shillings. More recently, attention shifted to her lifestyle, including reports of a Rolls Royce Callinan valued at over 3.5 billion shillings. Her public appearances, including during national events such as presidential ceremonies, have increasingly attracted social media attention. Despite controversies, Among strengthened her position within the ruling party. She contested and won the position of NRM's second national vice chairperson female, defeating former Speaker Rebecca Kadaga. She secured 11,680 votes, that is 92.8%. While Kardaga received 902 votes, her influence within the party continued to grow. She was later returned unopposed as Bukedia Woman Member of Parliament and remained a visible figure in national campaigns supporting President Museveni. She publicly declared, I am going nowhere. I was put in this chair by God and I will serve until I tensions emerged when Justice Minister Norbert Mao declared interest in the speakership.

SPEAKER_07 9:26

Also is standing for speaker. That one we shall discuss at the right time.

SPEAKER_01 9:43

Mao described Among as an accidental speaker, triggering a public political exchange. At a heated NRM retreat in Chiang Kwanzi, the disagreement became more visible.

SPEAKER_02 10:01

But the cooperation does not mean that if we are cooperating, you come up to my bedroom. Okay. We remain in the compound.

SPEAKER_01 10:12

President Museveni later clarified that while endorsements existed, final authority rested with an NRM parliamentary caucus. You cannot cooperate within the political situation escalated further when the Patriotic League of Uganda PLU withdrew its earlier endorsement of Anita Among and deputy speaker Thomas Tayebwa. This reversal came after an earlier endorsement in March 2026, shortly after reports emerged of security raids at Among's residences in Nakasero, Kololo, Ndinda, and Kigo. At the same time, General Muhozi Kainerugaba endorsed MP Jacob Oboth for speaker. More than 300 MPs who had earlier supported Among were later seen shifting allegiance. A dinner she had organized for MPs in Munyono was cancelled at the last minute.

SPEAKER_07 11:10

That money of betrayal, we are following it here, we are following it up. They think that we are fools. I don't know what why they think so. But we will follow all of that. So those those two the dishonest and the and the traitor are the ones we are targeting.

SPEAKER_01 11:30

After the swearing-in ceremonies of the president and members of parliament on May 15th, 2026, the Inspectorate of Government confirmed it was processing a complaint filed by lawyers led by Andrew Karamagi, alleging failure to declare or underdeclare wealth under the Leadership Code Act. Among now faces political uncertainty and ongoing investigations while still holding influence within the NRM structure. She announced her decision in a post on her ex account on May 18th, partly stating that her decision aims at maintaining harmony and clarity for beloved party, the national resistance movement. The post came two days after security launched investigations into Among property and operations of her closed networks.

SPEAKER_03 13:02

Those are just sweeping statements. We are going to remove them.

SPEAKER_01 13:10

Born in Bukedia district in 1973, Anita Among grew up in a modest family and has often spoken about overcoming poverty. She studied at Makerare University and later earned an MBA from Kampala International University. Before politics, she worked at Centenary Bank and later lectured at Makerare University Business School. From a rapid political rise to Speaker of Parliament to sanctions, investigations, and political uncertainty, Anita Mong's story remains one of the most consequential and closely watched political narratives in Uganda today. What happens next remains uncertain. This story is based on reporting by Nelson Kiva, Simon Masaba, and Nelson Mandela Mohose for the New Vision. Thanks for listening.