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When did Anita Annet Among withdraw her candidacy for speakership in 2026?
Through an official statement released on her personal X (formerly Twitter) account, the incumbent Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Anita Annet Among, has officially withdrawn her candidacy from the upcoming 12th Parliament Speakership race. She posted the announcement at 12AM on Monday 18th May 2026.
This midnight surrender follows a dizzying sequence of events: the early-morning endorsement of Minister Jacob Oboth-Oboth by the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) General Muhoozi Kainerugaba on May 15, followed by the highly synchronized multi-property security raids on Among’s luxury residences on May 17 during the presidential assent to the Protection of Sovereignty Act. By choosing the absolute start of the workweek to step down, Among has effectively signaled the end of one of the most polarizing tenures in the history of the Ugandan legislature, clearing the path for a complete overhaul of the August House.
Why did Anita Among officially withdraw from the 12th Parliament Speakership race?
The official narrative presented in the midnight press release frames the withdrawal as a calculated act of party loyalty and personal reflection. In her statement, Among noted that the decision was arrived at after an intense period of political review:
“After wide consultations and deep introspection, and to maintain harmony and clarity in my beloved party, the @NRMOnline, I wish to categorically and unequivocally state that I will not be offering myself for the Speakership race of the 12th Parliament.”
However, within the broader context of Kampala’s current political climate, the “introspection” was clearly accelerated by an absolute lack of remaining political leverage. The political fortress Among built during the 11th Parliament began crumbling when the executive and military branches aligned against her. Facing systemic isolation from the NRM Central Executive Committee (CEC), an aggressive public campaign highlighting institutional corruption, and tactical maneuvers from the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), a voluntary withdrawal was the only avenue left to avoid a humiliating defeat on the floor of Parliament or an outright political purge.
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How does Anita Among’s exit clear the path for Jacob Oboth-Oboth’s Speakership?
With the incumbent officially stepping aside, the race for the mace of the 12th Parliament has shifted from a volatile battle to an organized transition. Among explicitly directed her base of loyal members of Parliament to fall in line with the incoming executive directive:
“I pledge my total support to the candidates who will be endorsed by the President and the Party, and Implore all colleague MPs of the 12th Parliament to do the same.”
This directive effectively seals the fate of the Speakership race, validating the 7:00 AM endorsement made days ago by General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who labeled Minister of Defence Jacob Marksons Oboth-Oboth as the ideal candidate for the 2026–2031 legislative cycle. By imploring her parliamentary allies to follow suit, Among is attempting to guarantee a smooth exit that preserves party cohesion, while completely sidelining any lingering ambitions from alternative candidates like Justice Minister Norbert Mao.
The focus now shifts entirely to the “West Budama architect,” who stands as the undisputed consensus candidate for both State House and the military command.
What did Anita Among state regarding the ongoing state investigations into her wealth?
Perhaps the most legally significant component of the midnight declaration is Among’s public acknowledgment of the ongoing security and anti-corruption operations targeting her estate. Addressing the elephant in the room—the aggressive house searches executed by joint state organs just hours prior—Among stated:
“In the meantime, I pledge to continue cooperating with all ongoing investigations as initiated by the relevant organs of the state to get to the root of all the allegations raised.”
This line marks a profound shift from her previous defensive posture, where she frequently dismissed corruption allegations and the Daily Monitor’s multi-billion-shilling Rolls-Royce exposé as politically motivated fabrications by external saboteurs. By publicly pledging cooperation, the outgoing Speaker is attempting to de-escalate the immediate security pressure surrounding her family and properties.
Political analysts suggest this could be part of a negotiated settlement aimed at securing her immediate freedom from prosecution or preventing the total asset forfeiture of her vast real estate portfolio in exchange for a peaceful relinquishing of legislative power.
What is the political future of Anita Among after stepping down as Speaker?
Though her reign at the summit of the legislative branch has concluded, Among indicated that she does not intend to exit public service entirely, throwing her fate back into the hands of the Fountain of Honour:
“I am greatly indebted to H.E @KagutaMuseveni, my party, the @NRMOnline, and members of the 11th Parliament for giving me the opportunity to serve as Deputy Speaker and Speaker… I shall remain available to the service of my country as the party and the President may assign me.”
In the historical architecture of the NRM government, fallen political giants are rarely discarded immediately if they exit quietly. President Museveni has routinely utilized diplomatic postings, advisory roles, or quiet cabinet portfolios to house former top-tier officials who have been compromised by public scandals but remain loyal to the party structure.
However, given the immense public anger surrounding her luxury acquisitions and the newly assented Protection of Sovereignty Act, her placement will likely be highly restricted. The state must balance its historical pattern of political rehabilitation against the need to show the public a genuine display of accountability.
What you need to know about The Re-Consolidation of Legislative Power
The midnight statement of May 18, 2026, will be remembered as the moment the 11th Parliament’s era of unchecked extravagance officially ended. By expressing gratitude to her family, friends, and the members who stood by her during a tumultuous five years, Anita Among has closed a dramatic chapter in Uganda’s legislative history.
The immediate task ahead for the NRM leadership is the formalization of Jacob Oboth-Oboth’s candidacy and the restoration of public confidence in an institution that has spent months plagued by scandal. As the relevant organs of the state continue their work in the background, the country transitions into a new legislative era—one where technocratic discipline and executive alignment are no longer optional, but mandatory for political survival.
