Former Speaker of Parliament Anita Annet Among has thanked President Yoweri Museveni after he ordered her release from house arrest and directed that she should not be prosecuted over allegations investigated by security agencies.
Among, who remains the Woman Member of Parliament for Bukedea, said the President’s decision had restored her freedom and described it as an act of “parental grace.”
In a statement posted on X, Among expressed gratitude to God for her life and freedom and thanked Museveni for what she described as his decision to grant her mercy.
“I take this opportunity to thank the Almighty God for the gift of life and freedom,” Among said.
“My profound and heartfelt appreciation goes to His Excellency, President Kaguta Museveni, for his unmatched parental grace and decision to grant me mercy.”
Among also thanked Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the Chief of Defence Forces, for what she described as his professionalism during the period.
“I also extend my gratitude to the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi, for his professionalism throughout this period,” she said. She said she would return to serving the people of Bukedea and remain supportive of the government.
“As the Woman MP for Bukedea, I look forward to continuing my work for my constituents and standing firm with our revolutionary leadership,” she said.
The statement followed an announcement by Gen. Kainerugaba on Tuesday that President Museveni had ordered Among’s release from house arrest. “Mzee has also told me to release AAA from house arrest. We will comply,”
Muhoozi posted on X. When asked whether the State would proceed with criminal charges against Among, Muhoozi said she would not be prosecuted. “No. AAA will not be prosecuted. She made errors, but Mzee has chosen to pardon her,” he said.
The announcement marks a major change in the circumstances surrounding Among, who had spent months largely confined to her Nakasero residence amid investigations by security and anti-corruption agencies.
The investigations reportedly covered allegations including abuse of office, money laundering, unlawful accumulation of wealth and corruption.
Security agencies had also examined properties and financial transactions associated with Among in Nakasero, Kigo, Ntinda and Bukedea.
The investigation involved the Criminal Investigations Directorate, Defence Intelligence and Security, the Special Forces Command and the Inspectorate of Government. It also extended to institutions associated with Among in Bukedea, including a school and a radio station.
Several senior parliamentary officials linked to the wider investigation were subsequently arrested and charged over alleged mismanagement of about 37 billion shillings.
The charges included corruption, embezzlement, money laundering and causing financial loss.
Among, however, had not been formally charged in relation to the investigation by the time Muhoozi announced the President’s decision.
Despite the announcement of her release, Among remained largely inaccessible at her Nakasero residence on Wednesday.
When reporters visited the residence, they were told that Among had instructed that she would not receive visitors during the day.
Access to the residence during her house arrest had generally depended on her consent, with visitors first cleared by security personnel stationed at the gate.
The security deployment at the residence also appeared to have changed. Unlike during the height of her house arrest, when Special Forces Command personnel were visibly deployed around the residence, no soldiers in army uniform were seen at the gate on Wednesday.
Instead, three Counter Terrorism Police officers were stationed at the entrance, while two men in civilian clothing were seated under a mango tree opposite the residence.
The change in security deployment came a day after Muhoozi announced that the President had ordered Among’s release.
Among’s political position had also changed during the period under investigation.
She withdrew from the race for Speaker of the 12th Parliament, paving the way for Jacob Marksons Oboth-Oboth, who was elected Speaker on May 25 with 441 votes.
Among later congratulated Oboth-Oboth and Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa on their election, saying she was confident the new leadership would advance Parliament’s legislative agenda.
She now says she intends to resume her work as the elected representative of Bukedea following the President’s decision.
Among’s statement has also triggered debate on X, with some users questioning the decision to halt possible prosecution while others welcomed the President’s intervention-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
