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Speaker Anita Among is facing a difficult period. On April 30, she chaired a plenary session at Parliament, but she is now under scrutiny due to recent sanctions from the UK related to corruption charges. The UK sanctions have intensified the tensions between Speaker Among and President Yoweri Museveni. These sanctions were imposed because of alleged corruption involving iron sheets meant for the impoverished region of Karamoja. Among faces not only these accusations but also growing friction with the President.
Daniel Kawuma, the NUP Opposition Party Diaspora Leader, penned a response to Anita Among, Uganda’s Speaker of Parliament, addressing her directly regarding recent accusations. He began by noting that her statement was aimed at the Ugandan people, who are not responsible for imposing sanctions on her. Instead, he advised her to contact the UK embassy in Kampala for further clarification.
Kawuma then proceeded to outline what he deemed as Among’s corrupt actions, which he suggested had largely gone overlooked by Ugandans. He cited examples such as the naming of her private hospital after General Museveni’s children, allegedly built with embezzled taxpayer money, as well as accusations of overpricing per diem, diverting taxpayer funds to her personal radio station, and falsely billing for travel expenses. He urged Among to be held accountable for these alleged corrupt acts by her fellow Ugandans.
Additionally, Kawuma clarified that the sanctions imposed by the UK were not related to Among’s purported ownership of foreign properties but rather stemmed from accusations of embezzlement of iron sheets and taxpayer money intended to assist the less fortunate. He urged Among to refrain from distorting the reasons for her sanctions and to serve them honorably.
Meanwhile, Jimmy Spire, a Human Rights Activist, offered his perspective on the situation. He criticized President Museveni’s approach to verifying allegations of corruption, suggesting that the focus on Among’s foreign property ownership may be a diversionary tactic. Spire highlighted what he perceived as inconsistencies in the president’s actions, citing the launching of buildings named after him, his son, and daughter-in-law, despite the ongoing allegations against Among.
The Speaker herself took to a platform, X, despite previously claiming she did not use it, to address her fellow Ugandans. She acknowledged the numerous malicious content and schemes directed at her from both domestic and international sources. However, she felt compelled to briefly touch upon the allegations concerning her supposed ownership of properties in the United Kingdom, a matter that has now escalated into a diplomatic issue between Uganda and the UK.
Expressing gratitude towards President Museveni for his attention to the matter and his decision to pursue truth through formal diplomatic channels, the Speaker emphasized the principle of natural justice recognized in many jurisdictions, including the Commonwealth and Britain. She asserted that if the UK government alleges her ownership of property, it is their responsibility to provide evidence specifying which property belongs to her as Anita Annet Among. The Speaker expressed confidence that this is the information sought by both the President and the Ugandan government.
The Speaker then addressed the specific property in question, located at Flat 4, Silk House, 7 Waterden Road, London, E20 3AL, United Kingdom. She pointed out that according to the UK government’s own records, the property is registered to an owner other than herself, further challenging the allegations against her.
Moreover, the Speaker urged her fellow Ugandans to recognize that the core issue is not about corruption or foreign property ownership but rather an attempt to target her for her vocal opposition to homosexuality. She implied that the allegations were a cover-up for this underlying motive.
The Speaker reiterated her belief in the power of truth, quoting a biblical verse, John 8:32, “The truth will set me free.”