By Aggrey Baba
The Woman Representative for Bukedea District in Parliament and former Speaker Rt.Hon. Anita Annet Among now faces an expanding corruption investigation that could, if proven in court, expose her to a combined maximum sentence of up to 27 years in prison as state anti-graft agencies tighten scrutiny over her wealth, conduct, and past parliamentary transactions.
The investigation, according to sources, and led by Inspectorate of Government (IGG), has moved beyond early petitions and is now focused on alleged corruption, abuse of office, illicit enrichment, and unexplained wealth accumulation during her tenure as Speaker of Parliament.
The development comes as joint security teams and forensic investigators continue probing assets linked to Among, including luxury vehicles reportedly seized during coordinated operations at her residences and offices in Kampala and Wakiso.
The investigations have also included searches at Parliament, where sections of the Speaker’s office and related administrative units were sealed off as detectives collected documents, financial records, and electronic data linked to procurement, payments, and asset declarations.
At the center of the probe is whether Among’s declared income as a public official matches the scale of assets and lifestyle attributed to her.
A full lifestyle audit, comparing declared earnings with properties, vehicles, and financial movements linked to the MP’s name and close associates are reportedly being conducted by the investigators.
Under Uganda’s Anti-Corruption Act, the offences being considered carry significant penalties. Abuse of office attracts up to 7 years in prison, illicit enrichment up to 10 years, and corruption up to 10 years. If multiple charges are proven in court, the cumulative exposure could reach about 27 years.
The IGG’s inquiry follows formal complaints from lawyers and civil society activists demanding a detailed investigation into Among’s wealth and conduct, alongside scrutiny of compliance with the Leadership Code Act.
Sources familiar with the probe say investigators are currently reviewing asset declaration forms, bank records, procurement files, and parliamentary expenditure approvals to establish whether there was any conflict of interest or unlawful benefit.
The investigations have also reignited public debate over the controversial UHX 1.7 billion parliamentary service award, which was shared among Parliamentary Commissioners during Among’s leadership.
Court records show that former Leader of Opposition in Parliament (LoP) Mathias Mpuuga received UGX 500 million, while Solomon Silwany, Esther Afoyochan, and Prossy Akampulira Mbabazi each received UGX 400 million as service awards, payments which triggered national controversy after reports emerged that the beneficiaries had approved the funds themselves while serving on the Parliamentary Commission.
Although the High Court later upheld the legality of the payments on the basis that they were budgeted for and approved through Parliament, investigators are now reportedly examining whether the process involved abuse of office or breach of leadership ethics.
The IGG operation has been reinforced by joint security units, with detectives from the police, military intelligence, and forensic departments participating in searches and asset recovery operations. Luxury vehicles, including high-end SUVs, a Rolls-Royce worth UGX 3.5 billion, among other luxury vehicles were among items impounded during the raids.
The probe has also extended to senior parliamentary officials, including the Clerk to Parliament, Mrn Adolf Mwesigye, and staff in the finance and procurement departments, as investigators attempt to reconstruct how key financial decisions were reached at, during Among’s tenure.
Among’s legal team has previously described the searches and seizures as part of a lawful but politically charged investigation, while maintaining that she is prepared to cooperate with authorities.
Politically, the investigation comes at a critical moment after Among confirmed she will not seek re-election as Speaker of the 12th Parliament, following an alleged meeting with the President, endorsement of another NRM legislator, Jacob Oboth-Oboth of West Budama by the first son and CDF Muhoozi Kainerugaba, ending months of speculation over her political future.
Her exit, however, has not reduced scrutiny. Instead, investigators have intensified efforts to finalize what is now one of the most high-profile corruption inquiries targeting a top parliamentary leader in recent years.
No formal charges have yet been filed, and Among has not been convicted of any offence. However, the ongoing probe continues to widen, with investigators signaling that further summons, audits, and forensic reviews are expected in the coming weeks.
If prosecutors proceed and charges stick in court, the combined penalties under Uganda’s anti-corruption framework could expose Nalongo to over two decades in the freezers of Luzira. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
