Burying The Memories Slowly! Anita Among Makes First Public Appearance During State House CEC Meeting

Former Speaker of Parliament Anita Annet Among has returned to the public political scene after months away from high-profile gatherings, attending a meeting of the National Resistance Movement’s (NRM) Central Executive Committee at State House Entebbe on Tuesday. Her appearance comes after a turbulent period marked by her withdrawal from the race for Speaker of the 12th Parliament and investigations into allegations of corruption and abuse of office.

Among’s attendance at the meeting is significant because she had largely remained out of the public spotlight since May 2026. Once among the most powerful figures in Uganda’s Parliament and the ruling party, her absence had drawn attention as questions emerged about her political future and whether she would return to the centre of national politics.

The Bukedea District Woman MP rose to the Speakership in March 2022 following the death of Jacob Oulanyah. Before that, she served as Deputy Speaker, building a strong position within the NRM. However, her political journey took a difficult turn in May 2026 when security teams searched residences in Nakasero and Kigo, as well as other properties linked to her, including in Bukedea.

The searches were linked to investigations into allegations including corruption, illicit enrichment, money laundering and abuse of office. At the time, Among had not been formally charged in connection with the probe. Security operations also reportedly involved the temporary impounding of several luxury vehicles and a search of her former chambers at Parliament, adding to the attention surrounding the investigations.

On May 17, 2026, Among announced that she would not seek re-election as Speaker, saying the decision followed consultations and was intended to preserve harmony within the ruling party. She also pledged to cooperate with the investigations. Her withdrawal cleared the way for West Budama South MP Jacob Marksons Oboth-Oboth to become the NRM’s candidate, and Parliament subsequently elected him Speaker, while Thomas Tayebwa retained the Deputy Speaker position.

Among’s absence from major public political activities continued as she reportedly spent about 100 days under house arrest. In August, Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba announced that President Yoweri Museveni had directed that she be released from house arrest and would not be prosecuted over the allegations. Muhoozi said the President had decided to forgive her, marking a major development in a controversy that had pushed the former Speaker away from the political spotlight.

Her appearance at the CEC meeting now places her back among the ruling party’s senior leadership. The CEC is one of the NRM’s principal decision-making organs, bringing together influential party officials to discuss political and organisational matters. Among remains the elected Woman MP for Bukedea and the NRM’s Second National Vice Chairperson (Female), positions that continue to give her a place within the party’s leadership structure.

Although her attendance marks a return to a high-level political gathering, it remains unclear whether the meeting will address her future responsibilities or signal a formal change in her political standing. For now, her presence at State House offers a fresh glimpse of a politician whose influence has been tested by months of controversy, while her next steps within the NRM remain a subject of public interest.