Civil society activists have petitioned the Inspectorate of Government (IGG), alleging that the outgoing Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among, did not fully declare her wealth as required by the Leadership Code of Conduct. The complaint, dated May 13, 2026, and stamped as received by the Inspectorate of Government Central Registry the same day, asks the IGG to investigate what the petitioners describe as “failure to declare and/or under-declaration of wealth.”
The petition was addressed to Lady Justice Naluzze Aisha Batala and signed by the six petitioners: Andrew Karamagi, Mercy Munduru, Kato Tumusiime, Gift Grace Achilla, Praise Aloikin, and Godwin Toko.
The complainants argue that they are acting within their rights as citizens and taxpayers under Section 21 of the Leadership Code Act, which allows individuals to lodge complaints regarding breaches of the code by public officials. According to the petition, Section 4 of the Leadership Code Act requires public leaders to submit declarations of their income, assets, and liabilities to the Inspectorate every two years during the month of March.
The petitioners contend that any breach of this requirement attracts penalties, including dismissal from office, demotion, or forfeiture of undeclared assets. “We accordingly lodge this complaint regarding failure to declare and/or under-declaration of wealth by the aforementioned Anita Anette Among,” the petition states.
The group further requested the Inspectorate, under Section 22 of the Leadership Code Act, to furnish them with Among’s declaration records, if any. The petition adds to the growing public scrutiny surrounding accountability, wealth accumulation, and transparency among senior public officials in Uganda, particularly political leaders occupying constitutional offices.
The complaint also emerges at a politically sensitive moment as Uganda transitions into the 12th Parliament following the swearing-in of newly elected legislators. Governance advocates have increasingly argued that public confidence in Parliament depends not only on legislative output but also on the ethical conduct and transparency of its leadership.
Uganda’s Leadership Code framework was established to prevent corruption, illicit enrichment, conflict of interest, and abuse of office among public officials.
The Leadership Code Act operationalizes Chapter Fourteen of the 1995 Constitution, particularly Articles 233 and 234, which require specified leaders to declare their incomes, assets, and liabilities periodically.
The declarations are submitted to the Inspectorate of Government, which is constitutionally mandated under Article 225 to eliminate corruption, abuse of authority, and public office malpractice.
Failure to declare wealth, making false declarations, or concealing assets may trigger investigations and sanctions under the law.
In recent years, however, civil society organizations and anti-corruption activists have repeatedly criticized the weak enforcement of leadership code requirements, arguing that asset declaration systems remain largely inaccessible to the public and insufficiently audited.
The petition itself does not amount to proof of wrongdoing, and no findings have yet been made by the Inspectorate of Government regarding the allegations against Among.
Anita Among could not be reached for comment about the petition that has been trending on social media platforms. It also remains unclear whether the Inspectorate will formally open investigations or release any declaration records requested by the complainants-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
