Dirty Game Unveiled: See How Museveni Strategically Snatched Anita Among From Besigye To NRM – Elevated Her Swiftly

As the 11th Parliament’s Speaker Rt Hon Anita Among, the Bukedea Woman MP needs little introduction. Holding Uganda’s third-highest position after Museveni and VP Jessica Alupo, she transitioned from a prominent Forum For Democratic Change (FDC) activist to a strategic independent candidate.

But less than 10 years ago she was a conspicuous activist for political change under FDC where she served as Deputy Treasurer under the mentorship of Jack Sabiiti and Nandala Mafabi.In 2008, two years after FDC had just swept the Teso vote in 2006, Among (who had previously served as Lira branch manager for Centenary Bank) stood in the newly created Bukedea district for Woman MP on the FDC ticket but lost to Rose Akol. She was allegedly rigged out but didn’t give up.

In 2011, she was back once again carrying the FDC flag but was narrowly defeated like in 2008 (even when she had clandestine support of NRMs like Hassan Basajjabalaba and Alupo who resented Akol).By 2016, Among had become wiser and realised that standing as an FDC-leaning independent was the only way to overcome Akol who had the backing of many powerful people in NRM including several UPDF generals. Among had already secured support of many insiders in NRM including Hassan Basajjabalaba but who feared to embrace her openly as long as she carried the FDC flag.

In 2016, even when she associated with the Besigye bid in her Bukedea backyard, Among running as independent carried the day. A defeated Akol coiled her tail and ate a humble pie.Amid electoral challenges, allegations of rigging, and even attempts to tarnish her image, she persevered.

By 2021, her influence surged, becoming a key figure in Museveni’s government. Her journey from a backbencher to Speaker showcased her adept navigation of political landscapes. Museveni’s support materialized, leading to her ascendancy to Deputy Speaker and eventually Speaker in March 2022 after Jacob Oulanyah’s passing.

An influential force, Among now wields substantial authority, impacting presidential appointments and budget allocations. With her ability to shield or target She can save whoever she chooses to save as we saw in the case of Uganda Airline’s Jennifer Bamuturaki on one hand and Trade PS Geraldine Ssali’s case on the other!

Even in the national hierarchy, Among (just 50) is above all the other officials in government with exception of only Museveni and VP Alupo. She remains a central figure in Uganda’s political hierarchy, demonstrating her capacity to influence and, at times, suppress dissent.

Recent instances involving COSASE Chairman Joel Senyonyi, Parliamentary Commissioner Francis Zzake, Minister Parsis Namuganza, and others highlight Among’s ability to navigate and influence parliamentary dynamics. The Observer newspaper’s profiling reveals her role in sanctioning and persecuting critics, including NUP activists like Habib Buwembo, Moses Bigirwa, and Francis Matovu Butto.

Much earlier on, acting on the same Anita Among’s behalf, the Kira Division Police decisively crashed the Busoga Kingdom tourism Minister Hellen Namutamba after she took to social media and posted uncharitable stuff about the Bukedea Woman MP.

More recently, Radio One journalist Judy Mutawe endured almost similar fate at the hands of the Kampala CPS Police. Years earlier, Kisoro-hailing Mufumbira Pidson Kareire of the Drone Media endured the same wrath for using his online platform to disparage Anita Among.