Lukwago Accuses Museveni of ‘Rebranding’ Regime Through New Speaker Choice

According to Lukwago, Among’s political troubles followed growing public and international scrutiny surrounding corruption allegations that damaged her standing and usefulness within the regime.

The President of People's Front for Freedom, Erias Lukwago, has accused President Museveni of orchestrating a political “rebranding” exercise within the ruling National Resistance Movement following the sidelining of former Speaker of Parliament Anita Among.

Speaking during a press conference on Monday, Lukwago criticised what he described as direct interference by the President in determining the next Speaker of Parliament, saying the process had been reduced to a directive from the top leadership of the ruling party.

“If you were genuinely fighting corruption, why come with dirty hands?” Lukwago asked. “You go to a party meeting and a spokesperson unveils a candidate claiming to have a directive from the chairman and Head of State that ‘you are the next Speaker.’ Just like that, and it is done.”

Lukwago claimed that many ruling party legislators who had previously supported Among abruptly shifted allegiance after receiving signals from senior party figures.

“Almost 100 percent of those MPs in attendance, except a handful, were supporting Anita Among,” he said. “But once a directive came from above, they all switched to another candidate.”

He argued that the unfolding developments showed that the selection of the next Speaker was no longer a competitive democratic process but a calculated political replacement.

“This is not a choice of a new Speaker,” Lukwago said. “It is a replacement. Mr Museveni is shedding off the old skin and coming up with a new brand with a less tainted image.”

According to Lukwago, Among’s political troubles followed growing public and international scrutiny surrounding corruption allegations that damaged her standing and usefulness within the regime.

“Anita Among had been exposed internationally and locally, and her utility value had gone to almost zero,” he claimed. “Because of that, Museveni had to move along with her and rebrand himself.”

The PFF leader also criticised what he described as disregard for established party and parliamentary procedures in choosing leaders.

“As if there are no known procedures under the law,” he said. “One has to pick nomination forms, undergo processes and meet requirements. You do not simply make declarations over the weekend and impose leaders.”

Lukwago warned that the manner in which political decisions are being handled within the ruling establishment should concern Ugandans about the future of governance and democracy in the country.

“We should all be worried about the future of this country and the state of affairs,” he said.

The comments come amid ongoing political tensions within the NRM and continued scrutiny surrounding corruption allegations involving senior parliamentary officials from the 11th Parliament.