Former Speaker of Parliament, Anita Annet Among, has formally withdrawn from the race for Speaker of the 12th Parliament, marking a dramatic turn in Uganda’s unfolding parliamentary leadership contest that has also been shaped by reported security raids on her residences and a fast-moving shift in ruling party endorsements.
In a statement issued on Monday, Among said she would not offer herself for re-election, citing party unity, consultations, and continued loyalty to the National Resistance Movement (NRM).
Her announcement comes at a moment when political momentum within the ruling establishment appears to be consolidating around Defence Minister Jacob Oboth-Oboth as the preferred candidate for Speaker.
Her withdrawal follows days of intense political pressure, including reports that security agencies carried out a raid on her residence as part of a corruption investigation.
On Saturday and Sunday, joint security team involving the Criminal Investigations Directorate and other security organs searched her homes amid allegations of illicit enrichment and money laundering, with movements in and out of the residence reportedly being monitored by security personnel.
The developments have deepened speculation about the future of Among’s political standing, coming at a time when powerful actors within and around the ruling party have increasingly shifted their support towards Oboth-Oboth.
Senior political figures, including those aligned to the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), have publicly backed his bid, signalling a major realignment ahead of the parliamentary vote.
In recent days, Defence Minister Jacob Oboth-Oboth has received a wave of high-profile endorsements, including from President Yoweri Museveni’s political network, with reports indicating he has been positioned as the preferred candidate for the Speakership of the 12th Parliament.
Among, in her statement, struck a conciliatory tone, stressing party loyalty and continuity in leadership decisions. She said she would fully support whoever is ultimately endorsed by the President and the NRM, urging fellow MPs to do the same.
She stated: “I wish to categorically and unequivocally state that I will not be offering myself for the Speakership race of the 12th Parliament.”
She further added: “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.”
Among also addressed the political scrutiny and investigations surrounding her, saying she would cooperate with state organs to clear her name.
She said: “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.”
The shift in the Speakership race has been widely interpreted as part of a broader restructuring of alliances within the ruling NRM, as competing camps align behind Oboth-Oboth.
Political observers note that endorsements have become increasingly decisive, with internal party signals now outweighing individual ambition in determining leadership positions in the next Parliament.
Among concluded her statement with a message of gratitude to President Museveni, the NRM, and Parliament, saying she remained committed to serving the country in any capacity assigned to her.
The Speakership contest is expected to culminate in a parliamentary vote later this month, but with Among’s withdrawal and Oboth-Oboth’s rising endorsement trail, the race now appears to have shifted decisively in a new direction.