Uganda: Former Speaker Of Parliament Walks Away Scot-Free Of Corruption Charges

By Black Star News Photos: YouTube|Wikimedia Commons What was touted as the biggest catchment of fish has finally turned out to be a very big flop. The May 16 security forces raiding of former Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among’s luxurious homes in an alleged anti-corruption crack down has culminated into an executive “pardon” without the suspect ever being prosecuted in the courts of law. “Mzee [Swahili for an old man for Gen. Yoweri Museveni is now 81-years-old] has also instructed me to release AAA [Anita Annet Among] from house arrest. We shall do that as well,” the tweeting Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s X post reads on August 25. She was put under house arrest ever since the day of the security raids on her homes in Kampala and upcountry. The elite Special Forces Command of the Uganda People’s Defense Forces then remained stationed at her residence since then. They are now withdrawn, prompting Among to state, thus far; “I take this opportunity to thank the Almighty God for the gift of life and freedom. My profound and heartfelt appreciation goes to His Excellency, President Kaguta Museveni, for his unmatched parental grace and decision to grant me mercy,” she prayed on August 26. The former speaker was alleged to have been indulged in corruption, illicit self-enrichment and money-laundering. In 2024, the UK and US sanctioned the then House speaker Among over corruption allegation, but government vehemently dived into her defense. In the same statement thanking Museveni, Among went on to heap praises on the former’s son who announced her freedom: “I also extend my gratitude to the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi, for his professionalism throughout this period. As the Woman MP for Bukedea [District in Eastern Uganda], I look forward to continuing my work for my constituents and standing firm with our revolutionary leadership,” submitted she. Gen. Muhoozi, who is also the Senior Presidential Advisor on Special Operations to his father, would later make it categorically clear that they would not press prosecutorial charges against the former august House Speaker accusations against whom attract capital punishment in nature. “No. AAA will not be prosecuted. She made errors, but Mzee has chosen to pardon her,” Gen Muhoozi cleared the fog in citizen minds. Pardoning Among, however, is viewed as selective justice in the fight against corruption because after raids into her homes, the Inspectorate of Government arrested— for prosecution—seven parliamentary staff now linked to the mismanagement of the august House resource envelope. Most of the staff facing prosecution over corruption, embezzlement and money-laundering were said to be Among’s acolytes; including the Director of Communication and Public Affairs, former newspaper journalist and anti-corruption crusader, Chris Obore. They are alleged to have caused financial loss to Parliament by mismanaging about US$11 million. But after 40 years in power characterized by corruption scandals after scandals, Museveni is still upbeat that “This corruption in Uganda is stoppable”. In the statement he released on August 26, Museveni said; “The main problems on the issue of corruption have been two: the cover up by the responsible officials that should be protecting national interests and the failure to report by the elite that have access to the decision-making centres.” He saluted his Local Government ministers who “by going to the people directly in the form of Barazas (public gatherings), have by-passed the blockade of the thieves manned by the responsible elements of the elite,” adding: “Some of the elites are, however, patriotic. One of them…exposed to me the racket of extorters that were operating in the State House, here. He reported them to me and we trapped the thieves and arrested them. Do not cover-up if you are a Government officer and report if you are a citizen.” The Ombudsman has discovered that Uganda loses nearly US$3 billion to corruption annually.