President Museveni Forgives Anita Among, Orders End to House Arrest and Prosecution
By Lazarus Odongo
KAMPALA - President Yoweri Museveni has reportedly decided to forgive former Speaker of Parliament Anita Annet Among and directed that she be released from house arrest, bringing a dramatic shift to a corruption investigation that had threatened her political career.
The development was announced Tuesday by Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who said President Museveni had instructed him to ensure Among’s release.
“Mzee has also instructed me to release AAA from house arrest. We shall do that as well,” Muhoozi said in a post on X, referring to Among by her initials.
In another response, Muhoozi ruled out criminal prosecution against the former Speaker, saying Museveni had chosen to forgive her despite acknowledging that she had made mistakes.
“No. We shall not prosecute AAA. She made mistakes but Mzee has decided to forgive her,” Muhoozi stated.
The announcement represents a major reversal in the case against Among, who had been subjected to security restrictions and investigations following coordinated searches of properties linked to her.
Security raids and investigations
In May, security agencies conducted searches at Among’s Nakasero residence and other properties associated with her, amid allegations involving illicit wealth accumulation, money laundering, abuse of office and possible breaches of the Leadership Code Act.
Uganda Radio Network reported that the operation involved the Crime Intelligence and Investigations Directorate and the Uganda People’s Defence Forces, with investigators searching for documents and financial records connected to the allegations.
Daily Monitor also reported that security personnel raided Among’s Nakasero residence in the early hours of May 16, with the property subsequently placed under tight security restrictions.
The investigations came shortly before the election of the Speaker of the 12th Parliament. Among subsequently dropped out of the speakership contest, paving the way for Jacob Oboth-Oboth to take over the position.
Political comeback now possible
The latest directive could significantly alter Among’s political fortunes after months of pressure and uncertainty.
The former Speaker had faced growing scrutiny over allegations concerning her wealth and conduct while serving as Parliament’s presiding officer. In July, a group of Teso MPs appealed to President Museveni to forgive her and disclosed concerns about her wellbeing while she remained under house arrest.
With Muhoozi now saying that prosecution will not proceed and that Among is to be released, attention is likely to turn to whether she will resume her political activities and what implications the decision could have for the wider investigations.
Neither the President nor the State House had, at the time of reporting, issued a separate detailed public statement explaining the decision.
