After being humiliated as most corrupt public servant,former Speaker of Parliament and Bukedea Woman Member of Parliament elect Anita Among has withdrawn from the race for Speaker of the 12th Parliament.
Anita Among serves as the Second National Vice Chairperson (Female) on the Central Executive Committee (CEC) of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM). Concurrently, she serves as the Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda and the elected Member of Parliament for the Bukedea District Women Constituency.
Uganda’s Speaker of Parliament is the third-highest official in the national order of precedence, surpassed only by the President and Vice President. Within the legislative branch, the Speaker Chairs all plenary sittings, the Parliamentary Commission, and the Appointments Committee. The Speaker is responsible for the overall strategic direction of the legislature and maintaining order.
In a statement released shortly before midnight on Sunday, Among said she would no longer contest for the Speakership after what she described as “wide consultations and deep introspection.”
She said the decision was aimed at preserving unity and stability within the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).
“I will not be offering myself for the position of Speaker of the 12th Parliament,” Among said, adding that she remains committed to supporting the party and Parliament.
The accountant-turned-lawyer thanked President Yoweri Museveni, the NRM leadership, and Members of Parliament for entrusting her with leadership positions over the past five years, during which she served first as Deputy Speaker before becoming Speaker.
Among however called on incoming legislators to unite behind the NRM party position as preparations for the 12th Parliament continue.
Her announcement came just hours after security agencies carried out coordinated operations at her homes as part of investigations into alleged corruption and claims of illicit enrichment.
The Chief of Defence Forces, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has revealed that a decision has already been made on who will become the next Speaker of Parliament, strongly suggesting that current Speaker Anita Among should step aside.
In a series of posts shared on his X account, Muhoozi stated that the Speaker of the 12th Parliament will be a man.
“We have already made our decision on the new Speaker (a man). Men were born to lead. That’s the natural order of things,” Muhoozi posted
He also appeared to endorse Jacob Oboth Oboth for the position, praising his performance in government and openly backing him for the top parliamentary seat.
“He has been the best Minister in our government for the past 5 years. I want to be the first to endorse him for Speaker of Parliament (2026-2031). God bless Hon. Oboth-Oboth,” he said.
Parliament is expected to elect the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the 12th Parliament on 25 May 2026.
Her biography
Anita Annet Among is a prominent Ugandan politician, lawyer, and accountant serving as Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda since 2022. A key figure in the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), she concurrently serves as the elected Member of Parliament for the Bukedea District Women Constituency
Born in the Bukedea District, Among is highly educated with multiple degrees. She earned both her Bachelor of Business Administration (2005) and Master of Business Administration (2008) from Makerere University. Later, recognizing the importance of law in legislative work, she graduated with a Bachelor of Laws from Kampala International University (KIU) in 2018
Before entering the political sphere, Among built a successful career in the banking and education sectors. She worked at Centenary Bank from 1998 to 2006, rising to the rank of Branch Manager. She also spent several years lecturing in accounting at Kampala International University and Makerere University Business School
She successfully entered parliament in 2016 as an Independent candidate after leaving the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC). During the 10th Parliament, she served as the Vice-Chairperson of the Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE).
After joining the NRM in 2020, she was elected Deputy Speaker of the 10th Parliament. Following the death of Speaker Jacob Oulanyah, she was elected Speaker of the 11th Parliament in March 2022. She made history as only the second female deputy speaker and second female speaker in Uganda’s parliament.
