The late-night chime of a smartphone notification on Sunday marked the sudden end of a powerful political era in Uganda.
At exactly 11:50 pm EAT, outgoing Speaker of Parliament Anita Annet Among posted a brief but explosive statement on her official X account. In a few carefully chosen words, she announced her withdrawal from the race for Speaker of the 12th Parliament.
The decision ended months of political mobilisation and exposed how corruption allegations, military-backed political pressure and shifting alliances inside the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) combined to crush one of the country’s most influential political figures.
For weeks, the race for Parliament’s top seat had grown increasingly tense. Behind closed doors, alliances shifted rapidly as pressure mounted around Among over allegations of illicit wealth accumulation, abuse of office and money laundering.
The flamboyant Among, who has attracted little public sympathy amid growing public anger over corruption and extravagant spending in Parliament, had initially appeared determined to retain the powerful office she assumed after the death of Rt. Hon. Jacob Oulanyah in 2022.
She actively mobilised support among newly sworn-in Members of Parliament and projected confidence even as political pressure intensified around her camp.
But the tide eventually turned.
Kyankwanzi Warning Changed Everything
The decisive moment emerged from the NRM caucus retreat at Kyankwanzi.
During the meeting, President Yoweri Museveni delivered a firm warning against corruption within Parliament and government institutions.
“I do not want to hear of any corruption again in Parliament,” Museveni told party leaders.
The statement sent shockwaves through political circles and quickly became the defining message hanging over the speakership contest.
Political observers now believe the President’s hardline anti-corruption position effectively weakened Among’s path to another term at the helm of Parliament.
Soon after the Kyankwanzi resolution, state institutions intensified pressure on the outgoing Speaker.
Coordinated security opera ions targeted some of Among’s properties over allegations linked to illicit wealth accumulation, abuse of office and money laundering.
The investigations widened further over the weekend when military operatives arrested incoming Masaka City Woman MP Justine Nameere, one of Among’s outspoken political allies.
At the same time, reports emerged suggesting that Moses Magogo, Among’s husband and president of the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA), was facing heightened scrutiny as investigators expanded their focus to members of her inner political circle.
The developments deepened perceptions within the ruling establishment that powerful state institutions had withdrawn protection from the outgoing Speaker.
The Corruption Fight
The anti-corruption campaign gained even greater political weight after Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba publicly confirmed an ongoing state operation targeting corruption suspects.
In a message posted on X, the Chief of Defence Forces signalled a hardening position from the security establishment.
“The security forces under the direction and instructions of the Commander-in-Chief launched Operation ‘Maliza Ufisadi’ the other day. We shall expand this operation and apprehend all culprits. No one will be spared,” Gen. Muhoozi stated.
The statement intensified speculation within political circles that the crackdown had received direct backing from the highest levels of government. It also reinforced fears among Among’s allies that the widening investigations and security operations were part of a broader campaign to dismantle entrenched corruption networks linked to powerful political actors.
The remarks further strengthened the perception that the outgoing Speaker’s political survival had become increasingly impossible once the military-political establishment withdrew its protection and openly embraced the anti-corruption offensive.
PLU Withdrawal Delivered Final Blow
The final political blow came from the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), a civic organisation led by Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
PLU had earlier endorsed Among and Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa for the top parliamentary positions. That support was abruptly withdrawn in a dramatic policy reversal.
In a statement issued by PLU Secretary General David Kabanda, the organisation announced the immediate withdrawal of its endorsement of Among and Tayebwa.
“The endorsement of Rt. Hon. Anita Annet Among and Rt. Hon. Thomas Tayebwa respectively for the 12th Parliament of Uganda vide a letter dated 11th March, 2026 is retracted and withdrawn with immediate effect,” Kabanda declared.
The move followed direct guidance from Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who instructed PLU-leaning Members of Parliament-elect to await fresh direction from President Museveni on the preferred candidates for Speaker and Deputy Speaker.
PLU shifted its backing to Jacob Oboth-Oboth for the speakership race.
Kabanda emphasised the disciplined nature of the organisation and its loyalty to Gen. Muhoozi’s directives.
“In the PLU, we follow the command, instructions and guidance of our Chairman Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba at all times,” Kabanda noted.
The withdrawal exposed the growing influence of the military-political establishment in shaping succession battles and parliamentary leadership contests within the ruling party.
It also signalled that Among had lost critical support from some of the most powerful political actors inside the NRM system.
The Exit Statement
Faced with mounting isolation, Among finally stepped away from the race.
In her statement, she described the decision as one reached after “wide consultations and deep introspection.”
“After wide consultations and deep introspection, and to maintain harmony and clarity in my beloved party, the @NRMOnline, I wish to categorically and unequivocally state that I will not be offering myself for the Speakership race of the 12th Parliament,” Among wrote.
She thanked President Museveni, the NRM and members of the 11th Parliament for entrusting her with leadership responsibilities as Deputy Speaker and Speaker.
Among also pledged support to whoever would eventually be endorsed by the party and the President.
At the same time, she publicly committed herself to cooperating with ongoing investigations.
“In the meantime, I pledge to continue cooperating with all ongoing investigations as initiated by the relevant organs of the state to get to the root of all the allegations raised,” she stated.
A Powerful Career Suddenly Halted
Among’s withdrawal leaves the race for Speaker wide open and marks a stunning political fall for a leader who once appeared firmly in control of Parliament.
Her downfall illustrates how corruption allegations, public anger over lavish government spending and shifting power centres inside the ruling establishment can rapidly alter Uganda’s political landscape.
The developments also highlight the expanding political influence of Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba and the Patriotic League of Uganda in determining strategic leadership outcomes within the NRM.
For now, Anita Among exits the speakership race carrying the weight of corruption allegations, political isolation and widening investigations that continue to cast uncertainty over her political future.
