Anita Among ‘Stole’ Money to Build Museveni Political Base, She Ate Very Little Money” — Andrew Mwenda

Political commentator Andrew Mwenda has defended embattled Speaker Anita Among, arguing that the funds she allegedly obtained from Parliament were only a “small fraction” compared to the political value she delivered to President Yoweri Museveni and the ruling establishment.

Speaking during an appearance on state broadcaster Uganda Broadcasting Corporation’s Behind the Headlines program, Mwenda claimed that Among played a central role in helping Museveni pass crucial government bills in Parliament without the President having to spend heavily on mobilizing lawmakers.

According to Mwenda, before Among rose to the position of Speaker, Museveni often struggled to manage Parliament and had to regularly invite Members of Parliament to State House retreats. During such meetings, Mwenda said, legislators would reportedly receive transport facilitation, refreshments, financial assistance, loan clearances and even school fees support for their children.

Mwenda argued that Among changed that system after assuming office by assuring Museveni that she could manage Parliament internally and shield him from the constant pressure of personally lobbying MPs.

He further described Among as a highly effective political mobilizer who understood how to influence electoral college politics and maintain loyalty within Uganda’s political establishment. Mwenda said her strength lay in networking, generosity and building alliances rather than in direct public popularity associated with universal adult suffrage politics.

Mwenda noted that Among’s political methods helped consolidate Museveni’s support within Parliament and among key power brokers.

“I don’t think Anita’s problem was corruption. She didn’t take money out of Parliament for personal use; she actually used the money to build Museveni’s political base,” Mwenda said during the televised discussion.

Mwenda’s remarks come at a time when Among is facing mounting pressure over allegations of corruption, illicit enrichment and abuse of office linked to the management of parliamentary funds. In recent weeks, anti-corruption investigators and security agencies have reportedly intensified investigations into her financial dealings and accumulation of wealth during her tenure as Speaker.

Security operatives and investigators reportedly carried out coordinated raids on several properties associated with Among in Kampala and other parts of the country as part of the ongoing investigations. During the operations, authorities allegedly impounded luxury vehicles, financial documents, electronics and other property believed to be connected to the inquiry into misuse of public funds.

Reports have also indicated that some assets linked to Among and her husband Moses Magogo were placed under scrutiny as investigators examined claims of money laundering and unexplained wealth. Financial investigators are also said to have tracked large transactions and expenditure patterns linked to senior parliamentary officials.

The pressure surrounding the Speaker intensified after sections of ruling party politicians and members of the Patriotic League of Uganda openly criticized her leadership and called for accountability over corruption allegations. The controversy sparked intense debate within the ruling establishment and widened divisions ahead of the anticipated parliamentary leadership contests.

Amid the growing political storm, Among eventually announced her withdrawal from the race for Speaker, a move that many analysts interpreted as an attempt to reduce tensions within the ruling party and shield herself from further political damage as investigations continue.

Now, Anita Among is accused of reportedly plotting to impeach or remove Museveni from power so she could become president, and guns from Israel were reportedly found in her homes. (See Details Here and There).

Meanwhile, more luxury cars were picked from Anita Among’s home in Nakasero in a second raid on the swanky residence, as reported Here and There.