Museveni Pardons Former Speaker Anita Among, Halts Prosecution

Kampala — President Yoweri Museveni has directed the release of former Speaker of Parliament Anita Annet Among from house arrest and ordered that she not be prosecuted over corruption allegations, ending a roughly three-month standoff that had gripped Uganda’s political establishment.

The directive was announced by Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the President’s son, in a series of posts on X on Tuesday. “Mzee has also instructed me to release AAA from house arrest. We shall do that as well,” Muhoozi wrote, using Among’s initials. Asked separately whether criminal prosecution against her would continue, he responded: “No. We shall not prosecute AAA. She made mistakes but Mzee has decided to forgive her.”

Among had been confined to her Nakasero residence since mid-May, when security agencies raided several of her properties — in Nakasero, Kigo, Ntinda and Bukedea — and seized luxury vehicles as part of investigations into alleged illicit wealth accumulation, abuse of office and money laundering. She was never formally charged.

Among’s lead lawyer, Caleb Alaka, confirmed the release, telling New Vision the legal team was grateful for the President’s intervention and describing it as permanent rather than a temporary arrangement for medical treatment. Special Forces Command soldiers stationed at her Nakasero and Kigo residences reportedly left the properties on Tuesday morning following the directive.

The reprieve followed sustained lobbying by Teso sub-region leaders and lawmakers, who had appealed to Museveni and his brother, Gen. Salim Saleh, citing Among’s deteriorating health and financial difficulties after her bank accounts were frozen. Among had reportedly been diagnosed with a blood clot, diabetes and high blood pressure during the period of her confinement.

Among’s downfall marked a dramatic reversal for a politician once considered among the most powerful figures in Uganda’s government. She had served as Speaker of the 11th Parliament since March 2022 before stepping aside from the race for the Speakership of the 12th Parliament amid the investigations.

The pardon leaves unresolved questions for others implicated in the same probe. Several senior parliamentary officials who served under Among — including Director of Communications Chris Obore and six others — remain in Luzira Prison facing corruption, embezzlement and money laundering charges connected to the management of Parliament during her tenure. Neither Museveni nor the government has issued a detailed public explanation of the “mistakes” referenced in Muhoozi’s statement or the basis for halting Among’s prosecution.

SOURCE DAILYMONITOR NEWS