By Fredson Bainomugisha.
Speaker of Parliament Anita Annet Among on Sunday, May 17, 2026, announced that she will not contest for the Speakership of the 12th Parliament following weeks of political pressure and ongoing investigations.
In a statement shared on her official X account, Anita Among said the decision followed “wide consultations and deep introspection” aimed at maintaining “harmony and clarity” within the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).
“I wish to categorically and unequivocally state that I will not be offering myself for the Speakership race of the 12th Parliament,” Anita said.
The announcement comes amid increasing political uncertainty surrounding the race for Speaker, with reports indicating that President Yoweri Museveni had backed Defence Minister Jacob Oboth-Oboth for the position.
Among, who has served as Speaker since 2022 after previously serving as Deputy Speaker, thanked President Museveni, the NRM party, Members of Parliament, family, and supporters for backing her leadership over the last five years.
“I pledge my total support to the candidates who will be endorsed by the President and the Party,” she stated.
Her withdrawal follows a turbulent political period marked by growing scrutiny over allegations linked to wealth accumulation, lifestyle, and corruption claims, which she has repeatedly denied.
In recent weeks, political tensions within the ruling establishment intensified after the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), a political pressure group associated with Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, withdrew its earlier endorsement of Anita Among and Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa for the top parliamentary positions.
The PLU reversal was announced by Secretary General Daudi Kabanda, who said the group would instead support candidates endorsed by President Museveni.
The developments triggered widespread debate within political circles, with analysts describing the race for the Speakership as one of the most closely watched political contests ahead of the swearing-in of the 12th Parliament.
Reports also recently emerged of security activity around Anita Among’s residence amid investigations reportedly involving allegations of illicit enrichment and money laundering.
However, Anita Among said she remains committed to cooperating with state agencies handling the 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 said.
The election of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker is expected to take place during the opening sittings of Uganda’s 12th Parliament later this month.
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