President Yoweri Museveni has ordered the release of former Speaker of Parliament Anita Annet Among from house arrest and directed that she will not face criminal prosecution, according to Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba. Gen. Muhoozi announced the presidential decision on Tuesday via the social media platform X, stating that Mzee has also instructed me to release AAA from house arrest.
Responding to an inquiry about whether criminal prosecution would continue, Gen. Muhoozi added, No. We shall not prosecute AAA. She made mistakes, but Mzee has decided to forgive her,
as reported by Theinvestigatornews.
President Museveni Orders Release of Former Speaker Anita Among After 100 Days Under House Arrest
Special Forces Command soldiers camped at Among’s residences in Nakasero and Kigo departed following the directive, according to NewVision.co.ug. Among’s lead lawyer, Caleb Alaka, confirmed that her release is permanent rather than temporary for medical treatment, noting that her legal team is grateful for the intervention. However, Alaka declined to immediately discuss the status of assets and bank accounts that had been frozen during the investigations.
Background on the May Crackdown and Corruption Investigations
Among’s confinement followed a joint security operation initiated in mid-May 2026. Armed Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) soldiers raided her properties—including residences in Nakasero, Kigo, and Bukedea—and disarmed her guards to facilitate searches by joint security forces. The security crackdown formed part of Operation ‘Maliza Ufisadi’, launched by security forces under the direction of the Commander-in-Chief.
During her tenure as Speaker of the 11th Parliament and a senior National Resistance Movement figure, Among wielded substantial influence before political and investigative pressure mounted. The investigations examined allegations of corruption, illicit enrichment, abuse of office, and money laundering. Authorities scrutinized her wealth, property acquisitions, financial dealings, parliamentary expenditure, procurement processes, and foreign and domestic bank accounts. Amid the escalating probe, Among stepped aside from contesting the speakership of the 12th Parliament, allowing Jacob Oboth-Oboth to assume the position of Speaker alongside Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa. Despite losing the speakership, she retained her seat as the Bukedea District Woman MP, later making a virtual appearance via Zoom on August 4 to meet constitutional attendance thresholds after months out of the public eye.
Support from Teso Leaders and Ongoing Legal Proceedings for Parliamentary Staff
During her roughly 100 days under restricted movement at her Nakasero residence, Among faced severe financial constraints due to frozen bank accounts. The situation prompted appeals from political, cultural, and religious leaders, particularly from the Teso sub-region. Papa Emorimor Paul Sande Etomeileng Emolot, the Paramount Chief of the Iteso Cultural Union, led delegations to senior government figures—including Gen. Salim Saleh—seeking dialogue and assistance, noting that Among required community support for basic needs such as food.
While the directive halts criminal prosecution against Among herself, the broader parliamentary corruption investigation remains active. Several senior parliamentary officials and associates who worked closely under her remain in custody and are facing prosecution at the Anti-Corruption Court. These defendants face charges including embezzlement, causing financial loss, and money laundering involving billions of shillings in parliamentary funds tied to donations, corporate social responsibility programmes, and administrative decisions.
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