Bukedea Residents Demand Full Accountability for Among’s Conduct, Abuse of Office

BUKEDEA DISTRICT, Uganda — Calls for accountability and an independent investigation have intensified in Bukedea District and across the Teso sub-region following allegations of electoral malpractice, intimidation and abuse of office linked to former Speaker of the 11th Parliament, Anita Annet Among.

Residents and opinion leaders are demanding a full probe into alleged misconduct during her tenure, including claims of violence, voter intimidation and manipulation of electoral processes in Bukedea.

The growing public pressure has been fueled by claims that electoral violence during the January elections displaced residents, with some reportedly fleeing their homes while others were arrested or assaulted for opposing Among’s camp. Muhammad Otai, a resident of Bukedea District, said the community repeatedly raised concerns to higher authorities but felt ignored until recent developments prompted intervention from President Yoweri Museveni.

“The people of Bukedea are celebrating, except for the section that she has been using,” Otai said. “At this point, nobody is there to stand with her because of how she has been stepping on people.”

Otai added that tensions affected not only Bukedea but the wider Teso region. He further alleged that during the January elections, residents were denied opportunities to vote or campaign freely, while some candidates were removed from voter registers.

“The people of Bukedea are eagerly awaiting the outcome of the ongoing investigation,” he added, calling for probes to extend to local government levels. Otai also accused the political environment at the time of intimidation, saying residents were warned against opposing her camp, which he claimed created fear and suppressed democratic participation.

Residents are now demanding an independent investigation into election-related violence, including reports of arrests, assaults, and displacement of residents allegedly linked to political tensions. “There should be by-elections for both the Woman Member of Parliament and Bukedea County positions, which were manipulated,” Otai said, insisting that voters were denied their democratic rights.

Richard Omongole, a resident of Kidongole Sub-County, said the ongoing probe has revived hopes that past grievances will finally be addressed. “We thought the president had forgotten us after all the alarms we raised, but now there is hope,” Omongole said. Public Affairs Centre Executive Director Benson Ekwee said the unfolding situation reflects deeper systemic issues in governance and political accountability, adding that parliamentary leadership had concentrated excessive power in recent years.

He argued that recent developments may signal broader political recalibration and serve as a warning to new lawmakers. Rtd Col. Joseph Onangu also supported calls for accountability, saying the situation was “inevitable” due to long-standing complaints of impunity in Bukedea. He alleged that earlier reports sent to the State House went unanswered and called for renewed presidential attention to the matter. Residents further accuse security agencies of excessive force during elections, including raids on polling stations, voter intimidation, and manipulation of results in favor of specific candidates.

Ahead of the elections, some community members alleged that gangs operated under police escort, carrying out acts of vandalism and intimidation. Attempts to file complaints at police stations were reportedly unsuccessful, deepening fear and frustration among residents. Critics also question the source of wealth accumulated by Anita Annet Among during her tenure, citing rapid developments in personal and community projects.

She has, however, not been convicted of any wrongdoing, and all allegations remain subject to investigation. Residents are now calling for the formation of an independent committee to investigate election-related violence and ensure accountability for all those involved.