Selective Mercy: Anita Among walks free. Questions mount over equal justice

For months, the grand gates of her residences were watched by security forces, her luxury vehicle fleet stood impounded, and one of the most formidable political careers in modern Uganda seemed bound for a courtroom docket.

But when the high-stakes political drama surrounding former Speaker of Parliament Anita Annet Among reached its climax yesterday, the final curtain did not fall in a court of law. It fell on X.

In a series of afternoon posts, Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba announced that President Yoweri Museveni had pardoned the former Speaker and ordered an end to her months-long house arrest.

“Mzee has also instructed me to release AAA from house arrest. We shall do that as well,” Gen. Muhoozi posted, using Among’s familiar initials and referencing his father, President Yoweri Museveni.

“No, we shall not prosecute AAA. She made mistakes but Mzee has decided to forgive her.”

The announcement concludes a dramatic downfall that began in mid-May. Once an untouchable pillar of state power, Among fell out with the President after reportedly refusing to step down from the speakership race for the 12th Parliament.

What followed were sweeping raids on at least three of her homes and deep investigations into alleged corruption, underdeclaration of wealth, and severe financial mismanagement within Parliament.

Her freedom, according to sources, came only after repeated delegations from the Teso subregion made direct appeals to both President Museveni and his brother, Gen. Salim Saleh, citing the former Speaker’s failing health and mounting financial distress.

Yet, while Among walks free, the pardon leaves a trail of awkward legal and political contradictions across Uganda’s justice system. In Luzira Prison, top parliamentary officials who served during her tenure remain behind bars.

Director of Communication Chris Obore and six others face heavy charges of corruption, embezzlement, and money laundering, all allegedly committed under Among’s stewardship.

They are scheduled to appear in court on September 9 for a ruling on their bail applications, raising stark questions about why subordinates remain in dock while the leader at the apex receives executive clemency.

Public reaction on social media was swift, pointing to a stark pattern of selective justice. Commentators immediately contrasted Among’s presidential pardon with the fate of former Minister Agnes Nandutu, who is currently serving a prison sentence over the unlawful receipt of 2,000 iron sheets.

Others pointed to opposition leader Rtd. Col. Dr. Kizza Besigye, who remains locked in legal battles over treason charges alongside his aide, Hajji Obeid Lutale, despite reported ill health.

Addressing Besigye’s case on X, Gen. Muhoozi signaled where power currently resides: “Dr KB will be handled by Afande Saleh. If he wants forgiveness, he should talk to Afande Saleh. Mzee has given Afande SS those powers.”

Even as the curtain closed on Among’s file, military attention instantly pivoted toward another powerful corner of government: the Presidential Advisory Committee on Exports and Industrial Development (PACEID).

Chaired by Odrek Rwabwogo, President Museveni’s son-inlaw, PACEID has spearheaded high-profile initiatives, including partnering with entities like Nelson Tugume’s Inspire Africa Coffee, which drew public scrutiny over hundreds of billions in government funds allocated for a coffee factory in Ntungamo.

By 2:00 PM yesterday, Gen. Muhoozi declared on X that the President had authorized him to target what he labelled a “criminal organization”, directing media, all Ministries, Departments, Agencies (MDAs), and local governments to immediately sever ties.

“We have started arresting the criminals in PACEID. Mzee has told me to get all of them!” Gen. Muhoozi posted, warning that any institution continuing to deal with PACEID would be “handled accordingly.”

For ordinary Ugandans watching power play out on phone screens, yesterday’s rapid chain of events reveals a deeper truth about governance in Uganda today: institutional processes and formal courtrooms are increasingly overshadowed by informal executive bargaining, family dynamics, and social media decrees.

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