Beleaguered Parliament Speaker Anita Among has withdrawn from the race for Speaker of the 12th Parliament, ending days of speculation following security operations at her residences in Nakasero and Kigo linked to an ongoing state investigation.
In a statement issued shortly before midnight last night, Among, who is now poised to leave office after serving only part of a five-year parliamentary term if her decision holds, said she would “not be offering” herself for the 12th Parliament Speakership race following what she described as “wide consultations and deep introspection.”
Her withdrawal, announced on X at 11:50pm, follows joint security operations conducted over the weekend at her residences as part of investigations into alleged corruption-related offences and claims of illicit enrichment.
Her official X account had been unusually quiet, with the last communication posted on May 13th, even as a vast majority of her known aides remained muted or had little to say since the investigation operations began.
Sources familiar with the probe said the investigations were sanctioned at the highest levels of government.
The twin mother’s exit from the race is expected to reshape internal NRM positioning ahead of the election of parliamentary leadership in the 12th Parliament next week on Monday.
Senior party officials at the weekend signaled growing support for Jacob Marksons Oboth, who is understood to have secured backing from Museveni and key figures within the ruling party ahead of internal consultations.
Meanwhile, a joint team of elite security agencies has expanded its targeted operations against the properties of outgoing Speaker of Parliament Anita Among, launching intensive searches at her high-end residences in Kigo, an affluent, serene lakeside suburb in Wakiso District, and Ntinda in Kampala City.
The coordinated raids follow a heavily guarded security operation at her Nakasero home, in Kampala, signaling a widening state crackdown.
The operation, which commenced on Saturday, involves a joint force comprising detectives from the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID), personnel from the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), and other intelligence units.
Security forces cordoned off the upscale Ntinda property and the lakeside Kigo residence, restricting access and preventing any individuals from entering or leaving the premises.
The multi-agency deployment comes amid a widening investigation into alleged corruption, money laundering, and illicit wealth accumulation.
Highly placed sources indicate that the joint CID-UPDF team is seeking financial records, asset declarations, and procurement documents linked to the Bukedea Woman MP’s tenure as head of the legislature.
Witnesses at both residences reported a tense atmosphere as armed operatives maintained a strict perimeter.
The Kigo search further expanded the scope of operations, with investigators focusing on properties reportedly under preparation ahead of the new parliamentary term.
The raids unfolded just days after newly elected legislators, including Among, were sworn in for the 12th Parliament, and ahead of the scheduled election for the Speaker of Parliament on May 25.
AMONG WITHDRAWS FROM SPEAKERSHIP RACE AS CORRUPTION INVESTIGATIONS EXTEND TO HER OTHER HOMES
