Anita Among

Honorable
Anita Among
Official portrait, 2021
Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda
In office
25 March 2022 – 11 May 2026
PresidentYoweri Kaguta Museveni
Preceded byJacob Oulanyah
Succeeded byJacob Marksons Oboth
National Vice Chairperson on the CEC of the NRM[1]
Personal details
BornAnita Annet Among
(1973-11-23) 23 November 1973
Bukedea County, Kumi District, Uganda (now Bukedea District)
CitizenshipUganda
PartyNational Resistance Movement
Spouse
​
(m. 2022)​
Children3
Alma mater
OccupationAccountant, politician, lawyer

Anita Annet Among (born 23 November 1973) is a Ugandan accountant, lawyer and politician who served as the speaker of the 11th Parliament of Uganda from 2022 to May 2026.[2][3][4] She has represented Bukedea District as the Woman Member of Parliament since 2016, serving in the 10th, 11th and 12th Parliaments.[5][6][7]

Among was first elected to Parliament in 2016 as an independent candidate, after previously contesting the seat unsuccessfully.[8] She later joined the National Resistance Movement (NRM) and served as Deputy Speaker of the 11th Parliament before being elected Speaker in March 2022 following the death of Jacob Oulanyah[9][10][11]

Ahead of the 2026 general election, Among was declared elected unopposed for Bukedea District Woman Representative after no rival candidate appeared on the final ballot.[12][13][14][15] The circumstances of her unopposed nomination were challenged by opposition aspirant Norma Susan Otai,[16] who sued Among and the Electoral Commission, alleging obstruction of her candidature.[17][18][19]

She was a member of the FDC party before joining the ruling NRM party, where she was voted as the deputy speaker of the 10th Parliament. She is also the second female deputy speaker in the history of Uganda's parliament after Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga.[20]

Anita is named in the torture complaint against the Ugandan government that was submitted to the International Criminal Court.[21]

She is the proprietor of Bukedea Comprehensive Academy, a co-educational boarding school founded in 2018. The academy, located in Bukedea District,[22] offers vocational training alongside its academic programs.[23]

She is also the proprietor of Bukedea Teaching Hospital and Bukedea Comprehensive Sports Park which were commissioned by President Museveni in 2024.[24][25]

Early life and education

Among was born in Bukedea County, Kumi District (now Bukedea District) on 23 November 1973 in a family of 48 children, where the majority of her siblings were girls. She attended local schools for her elementary education.[26]

She graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Makerere University in 2005. In 2008, she was awarded a Master of Business Administration degree, also by Makerere University.[27]

In 2018, Among graduated from Kampala International University, with a Bachelor of Laws degree.[28] At that time she was in the process of attaining qualification as a chartered certified accountant.[27]

Career

From 1998 to 2006, Among worked at Centenary Bank, one of the large commercial banks in the country as a cleaner during her S.6 vacation, later becoming a cashier. At the time she left in 2006, she had risen to the rank of a branch manager. For the ten years prior to her election to Parliament, she served as a lecturer in accounting, at Makerere University Business School and Kampala International University.[27]

Politics

For two parliamentary election cycles in 2007, when Bukedea District was created, and in 2011, Among lost the District Woman Representative seat to Rose Akol of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) political party.[6]

Among, a long-time member of the opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) political party, ran in 2016 as an independent candidate. She won and is the incumbent MP.[6]

In 2020, she joined the National Resistance Movement (NRM) after falling out with her party FDC[29][30] and won the party primaries. In the 2021 general elections, Among was one of the few legislators who was elected unopposed to join the 11th Parliament though her victory was contentious because the electoral commission blocked some of her competitors from nomination.[31][32][33][34][35][36][37]

In the 10th Parliament, Among served as the vice chairperson of the Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE).[6][27][38]

Among declared her bid for the deputy speakership of the 11th parliament of Uganda.[39][40][41][42]

Among was elected as the new speaker of the parliament of Uganda on March 25, 2022[2] replacing Jacob Oulanyah, who died in Seattle, Washington.[43][44][45] In 2023, she urged members of the Ugandan National Assembly to support a new bill that would make the mere fact of identifying oneself as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer or questioning illegal and risk up to ten years of incarceration.[46]

In October 2025, she was declared unopposed Woman MP for Bukedea[47] and took the oath on 13 May 2026.[48]

On 16 May 2026, a joint security team raided her Kampala residence as part of an investigation into alleged corruption. She later announced on 17 May 2026 that she was not offering herself for the speakership race of the 12th Parliament.[49]

Among has been assigned as the regular member on the committee on Government Assurances and implementation, which was to be headed by Mityana Municipality MP Hon. Francis Zaake as the chairperson on 7 July 2026.[50]

International sanctions

On 30 April 2024, the UK's Foreign Office announced personal sanctions against Among and two other high-level Ugandan officials under its Global Anti-Corruption sanctions regime for their involvement in significant corruption, making her a subject to an asset freeze and a travel ban.[51][52] On 30 May 2024, Among and several other Ugandan officials were sanctioned by the US State Department on charges of corruption.[53]

2026 corruption probe and speakership withdrawal

In May 2026, Among became the subject of a multi-agency investigation over allegations of corruption, money laundering and illicit enrichment.[54][55] The investigation involved security personnel from the Criminal Investigations Directorate, the Uganda People's Defence Forces and other state agencies, and was reported by several Ugandan media outlets as part of a wider inquiry into alleged unexplained wealth and abuse of office.[56][57][58]

The searches began in Kampala and were later reported to have extended to properties linked to Among in Nakasero, Ntinda, Kigo and Bukedea. Media reports stated that investigators searched her residences and other premises connected to her, including homes in Bukedea, as part of the same inquiry.[59][60][61]

During the operation, security agencies reportedly seized several luxury vehicles linked to Among, including a Rolls-Royce Cullinan. Daily Monitor reported that the seizure occurred at her Kigo residence on 18 May 2026, while New Vision also reported that police had impounded the Rolls-Royce and other high-end vehicles.[62][63][64]

The Inspectorate of Government also confirmed that it had received a petition accusing Among of failing to declare, or under-declaring, her wealth under the Leadership Code Act. New Vision reported that the petition had been filed by lawyers and was being handled through the Inspectorate's administrative and legal procedures. Subsequent reports stated that the inquiry had expanded to include officials from other public institutions, including the Electoral Commission and the judiciary.[65][66][67]

Media outlets also reported additional measures against Among, including restrictions on her movement, changes to her security arrangements and the freezing of bank accounts linked to her. New Vision reported that the freezing of accounts followed a high-level meeting involving security chiefs, the Inspectorate of Government, the Criminal Investigations Directorate, the Financial Intelligence Authority and President Yoweri Museveni.[68][69]

On 18 May 2026, Among announced that she would not seek election as Speaker of the 12th Parliament. In a statement posted on her official X account, she said the decision followed consultations and was intended to maintain harmony within the National Resistance Movement. She also stated that she would cooperate with ongoing investigations.[70] The announcement came after several days of security searches and asset seizures at properties linked to her.[71][72][73]

The reports did not state that Among had been convicted of any offence in relation to the allegations. As of the cited reports, the matter remained under investigation.[74] After over 100 days in house detention, Among was released after being pardoned by the president of the republic of Uganda.[75] News of her freedom first came to be known publicly through an X post by Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba Commander of Defence Forces in Uganda.[76][77]

Personal life

Among and her husband Moses Magogo Hassim have twins, earning her the title of Nnaalongo in Uganda. She introduced him to her parents in a traditional marriage ceremony. She is also rumored to have a son with one of Forum for Democratic Change's officials in western Uganda, Patrick Baguma Atenyi.[78]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Kazibwe, Kenneth (28 August 2025). "How Anita Among Overwhelmed Rebecca Kadaga in NRM CEC Race". Nile Post.
  2. 1 2 "NRM's Anita Among beats Opposition's Basalirwa to become Speaker". Monitor. 25 March 2022. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  3. ↑ "Speaker of Parliament". Parliament of Uganda. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
  4. ↑ Reporters, Vision (28 May 2026). "Politics: How Anita Among ended up unopposed in Bukedea". New Vision. Retrieved 28 May 2026.
  5. ↑ Kisakye, Frank (2 June 2021). "Speaker Among's rise and depth of her power". The Observer. Retrieved 28 May 2026.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Kiggundu, Edris (21 September 2016). "MP Among's rise, connections leave key questions unanswered". The Observer. Kampala.
  7. ↑ "How, what will be remembered of Among?". Monitor. 20 May 2026. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
  8. ↑ "Detectives search Among's personal assistant's home". The Independent Uganda. 23 May 2026. Retrieved 28 May 2026.
  9. ↑ "Anita Among elected deputy Speaker of Parliament". Monitor. 25 May 2021. Retrieved 28 May 2026.
  10. ↑ "Among joins race to replace Oulanyah". Monitor. 22 March 2022. Retrieved 28 May 2026.
  11. ↑ Waswa, Sam (25 March 2022). "Anita Among Replaces Oulanyah as Speaker of Parliament". ChimpReports. Retrieved 28 May 2026.
  12. ↑ Opio, Isaac (7 October 2025). "BIG STORY: Resistance as EC Deletes Anita Among's Rivals from Bukedea Voter Register". ChimpReports. Retrieved 28 May 2026.
  13. ↑ TheSpyUganda (23 October 2025). "Speaker Anita Among Nominated Unopposed for Bukedea Woman MP Seat - TheSpy". Retrieved 28 May 2026.
  14. ↑ "Among, Tayebwa, 4 others unopposed in 12th House". Monitor. 24 October 2025. Retrieved 28 May 2026.
  15. ↑ Opio, Isaac (23 October 2025). "NUP's Bukedea MP Candidate Missing as Speaker Anita Among Declared Unopposed". ChimpReports. Retrieved 28 May 2026.
  16. ↑ "Three Among rivals for MP position sued". Monitor. 26 September 2025. Retrieved 28 May 2026.
  17. ↑ URN (25 November 2025). "FDC's Otai sues speaker Among, EC over Bukeda Woman MP seat". The Observer. Retrieved 28 May 2026.
  18. ↑ Republic, Matooke (24 October 2025). "How Speaker Anita Among was declared unopposed amid reports of intimidation and deliberate blocking of opponents - Matooke Republic". Retrieved 28 May 2026.
  19. ↑ "Among's opponent petitions Museveni over disqualification". Monitor. 19 June 2025. Retrieved 28 May 2026.
  20. ↑ "Home". Parliament of Uganda. Retrieved 31 March 2025.
  21. ↑ "Speaker Among named in fresh ICC torture petition". Monitor. 23 July 2023. Retrieved 29 August 2023.
  22. ↑ "Museveni: Anita Among is a 'Good Independent' MP". ChimpReports. 28 April 2019. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
  23. ↑ Betsy, Norah (8 November 2021). "Bukedea Comprehensive Academy, New Curriculum Implementation, Teaching and Learning Resources, ICT Club, Staff Professional Development". KAWA Uganda. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
  24. ↑ "Among's teaching hospital opens". Monitor. 15 January 2024. Retrieved 10 August 2025.
  25. ↑ PPU (18 August 2024). "President Museveni Officially Opens FEASSA Games In Bukedea - State House Uganda". State House Uganda - Government of Uganda. Retrieved 10 August 2025.
  26. ↑ "From Grass to Grace: The Remarkable Rise of Anita Annet Among. - Uganda Broadcasting Corporation". 10 March 2026. Retrieved 23 May 2026.
  27. 1 2 3 4 Parliament of Uganda (2022). "Parliament of Uganda: office of the speaker [Anita Among]". Kampala: Parliament of Uganda. Archived from the original on 7 January 2019. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
    "Parliament of Uganda Members of the 10th Parliament: Among Anita Annet: Bukedea District Woman Representative". Parliament of Uganda. 2019. Archived from the original on 7 January 2019.
  28. ↑ Mujuni, David (23 June 2018). "MP Anita Among Graduates From KIU". Kampala: Campusbee Uganda. Retrieved 6 January 2019.
  29. ↑ FDC plots to throw MP Anita Among off statutory authorities committee over 'relationship' with NRM, NTV Uganda, 31 January 2018, retrieved 16 August 2022
  30. ↑ FDC Reshuffle; MP Anita Among says she won't leave COSASE post, NTV Uganda, 16 August 2022, retrieved 3 April 2021
  31. ↑ "Voters petition EC over Bukedea MP's academic papers". Daily Monitor. 27 October 2020. Retrieved 3 April 2021.
  32. ↑ George Okello (1 November 2020). "Bukedea Woman MP Anita Among unopposed as EC cancels nomination of her six rivals". PML Daily News. Retrieved 3 April 2021.
  33. ↑ "Two Women Aspirants Blocked from Nomination in Bukedea". Uganda Radio Network. Retrieved 3 April 2021.
  34. ↑ "Anita Among's Unopposed Victory Hanging On Thin Thread As Court Of Appeal Decides". East News. 17 December 2020. Retrieved 3 April 2021.
  35. ↑ The Independent Uganda (24 March 2021). "Court declines to order EC to degazette MP Anita Among". The Independent (Uganda). Retrieved 3 April 2021.
  36. ↑ "MP Anita Among's opponent cries foul after she is declared unopposed in Bukedea". Nile Post. 31 October 2020. Retrieved 3 April 2021.
  37. ↑ "BREAKING! Court upholds EC's decision to Gazette MP Anita Among as "unopposed"". PML Daily News. 23 March 2021. Retrieved 3 April 2021.
  38. ↑ Dicta Asiimwe; Halima Abdallah (5 January 2019). "'Let us do our job,' opposition tells Uganda's Speaker". The EastAfrican. Nairobi. Retrieved 6 January 2016.
  39. ↑ "MP Anita Among Declares Bid for Deputy Speaker Slot". The Kampala Post. Retrieved 3 April 2021.
  40. ↑ "Battle for Deputy Speaker job heats up as minister joins race". Daily Monitor. 3 February 2021. Retrieved 3 April 2021.
  41. ↑ "Deputy speaker's race: Bukedi MPs ask Oboth Oboth to do more consultions". The Independent Uganda. 18 March 2021. Retrieved 3 April 2021.
  42. ↑ "Seven Eyeing Deputy Speakers Job in Parliament". Uganda Radionetwork. Retrieved 3 April 2021.
  43. ↑ Wamala, Maria (16 August 2022). "Oulanyah died before accessing treatment – Aceng". New Vision. Archived from the original on 25 March 2022. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  44. ↑ "Museveni explains why he delayed Oulanyah death announcement". New Vision. 20 March 2022. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  45. ↑ "Speaker Oulanyah dead". New Vision. 20 March 2022. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  46. ↑ Shastri, Vaishali (10 March 2023). "L'Ouganda Débat d'un Projet de Loi Rendant Illégale l'Identification LGBTQ". Le Matinal.
  47. ↑ Katungulu, Amon. "Speaker Among Declared Elected Unopposed". Nilepost News. Retrieved 15 May 2026.
  48. ↑ "Speaker, deputy to be elected on May 25". Monitor. 13 May 2026. Retrieved 15 May 2026.
  49. ↑ Micheal, Odeng (16 May 2026). "Police, UPDF raid former Speaker Among's Nakasero residence". New Vision. Retrieved 18 May 2026.
  50. ↑ "Anita Among designated to Parliament committee chaired by Hon Zaake". Pulse. Retrieved 7 July 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  51. ↑ "UK sanctions corrupt politicians in Uganda who stole from vulnerable communities". GOV.UK. Retrieved 2 May 2024.
  52. ↑ "Financial Sanctions Notice 30/04/2024" (PDF).
  53. ↑ "US sanctions Uganda's parliament speaker and others over corruption and rights abuses". Associated Press. 30 May 2024. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  54. ↑ Omara, Geoffrey (16 May 2026). "Security Raids Among's Nakasero Residence in Corruption Probe". ChimpReports. Retrieved 28 May 2026.
  55. ↑ Odeng, Michael (16 May 2026). "News: Police, UPDF raid former Speaker Among's Nakasero residence". New Vision. Retrieved 28 May 2026.
  56. ↑ "Security agencies raid Among's properties in corruption probe". The Independent Uganda. 16 May 2026. Retrieved 28 May 2026.
  57. ↑ Tumwesigye, Joseph (16 May 2026). "CID-UPDF team raids former Speaker Anita Among's home over alleged corruption - NTV Uganda". Retrieved 28 May 2026.
  58. ↑ Times, Burundi (16 May 2026). "Ugandan Security Forces Raid Former Speaker Anita Among's Home in Corruption Probe - Burundi Times". Retrieved 28 May 2026.
  59. ↑ "Security raids extended to outgoing Speaker Anita Among's Ntinda, Kigo homes". Monitor. 17 May 2026. Retrieved 28 May 2026.
  60. ↑ "What security recovered from Among's houses". Monitor. 19 May 2026. Retrieved 28 May 2026.
  61. ↑ Opio, Isaac (22 May 2026). "Detectives Raid Anita Among's Bukedea Home". ChimpReports. Retrieved 28 May 2026.
  62. ↑ "Police seize Anita Among's Shs3.4b Rolls-Royce in dramatic corruption cordon". Monitor. 18 May 2026. Retrieved 28 May 2026.
  63. ↑ Mubiru, Douglas (18 May 2026). "News: Police impound Anita Among's sh3.6b Rolls-Royce, luxurious Range Rovers". New Vision. Retrieved 28 May 2026.
  64. ↑ "Security agents raid Among's home". Pulse Uganda. 16 May 2026. Retrieved 28 May 2026.
  65. ↑ Independent, The (14 May 2026). "Activists petition IGG over Anita Among alleged wealth declaration". The Independent Uganda. Retrieved 25 May 2026.
  66. ↑ "Who is who in ex-House leader Anita Among's corruption probe?". Monitor. 20 May 2026. Retrieved 28 May 2026.
  67. ↑ URN (22 May 2026). "EC officials probed over Anita Among influence". The Observer. Retrieved 25 May 2026.
  68. ↑ Reporter, Vision (21 May 2026). "News: State freezes Anita Among's accounts, her movement restricted". New Vision. Retrieved 28 May 2026.
  69. ↑ "Museveni's last words to Anita Among". Monitor. 17 May 2026. Retrieved 28 May 2026.
  70. ↑ "AMONG X MESSAGE: 'I have thrown in the towel'". The Independent Uganda. 18 May 2026. Retrieved 28 May 2026.
  71. ↑ Reporter, Our (18 May 2026). "Anita Among now withdraws from speakership race". The Observer. Retrieved 25 May 2026.
  72. ↑ Asiimwe, George (18 May 2026). "Anita Among Withdraws From Speakership Race". ChimpReports. Archived from the original on 18 May 2026. Retrieved 28 May 2026.
  73. ↑ "Former Speaker Anita Among withdraws from 12th Parliament Speakership Race - Uganda Broadcasting Corporation". 18 May 2026. Retrieved 28 May 2026.
  74. ↑ "Probe Among, jail her if guilty and seize her assets". Monitor. 23 May 2026. Retrieved 28 May 2026.
  75. ↑ Reporter, Vision (26 August 2026). "News: Ex-Speaker Among grateful to President Museveni for releasing her". New Vision. Retrieved 27 August 2026.
  76. ↑ Karugaba, Charles Etukuri, Eddie Ssejjoba, and Mary (25 August 2026). "News: Museveni orders release of former Speaker Among from house arrest". New Vision. Retrieved 27 August 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  77. ↑ Kisakye, Frank (25 August 2026). "Museveni 'forgives' former speaker Among, orders release from house arrest". The Observer Media Ltd. Retrieved 27 August 2026.
  78. ↑ Stephen Kalema (20 September 2019). "PROFILE: All eyes on Anita Among as Bukedea MP becomes most powerful woman politician". Watchdog Uganda. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
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