“I Am Only Serving This Term As Speaker , I Won’t Be Like Kadaga” Speaker Anita Among Reveals Why She Won’t Run For Speakership Again

Uganda’s Parliament Speaker, Anita Among, has stated she doesn’t intend to hold onto power in the legislative arm’s leadership. Speaker Among noted she has one term to serve before passing the baton to her deputy, Thomas Tayebwa.

Among referenced not overstaying in power in the presence of former speaker Rebecca Kadaga, who had intended to extend her speakership reign despite serving for a decade as speaker and another as deputy.

Kadaga lost the speaker race to Jacob Oulanyah in 2021 after running as an independent candidate. With Oulanyah’s death in 2022, his deputy became speaker, while Thomas Tayebwa became deputy speaker.

The statement on overstaying in power may not please Yoweri Museveni, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) chairman, who has been president since 1986 after a five-year bush war. As he took power, Museveni diagnosed the problem of Africa as leaders who overstay in power.

But, now approaching 80 years of age, Museveni has been president for decades on grounds that the people still love him and that there is still work for him to do in wealth creation, the unity of the East African region and securing the future of Africa.

Speaker Anita Among expressed gratitude to the people of Ruhinda North for electing a capable and disciplined leader to Parliament, someone she feels comfortable handing over power to after her single term, as she doesn’t intend to hold onto the seat.

“We also appreciate the people of Mitooma for giving us a leader in Hon. Thomas Tayebwa. He is an exemplary leader… He understands his role as deputy speaker, is down-to-earth, and very sociable. I was even concerned he might bring laughter to the proceedings, given his nature,” Among praised her deputy.

She urged Ruhinda North voters to ensure Tayebwa’s return to the 12th Parliament, allowing him to succeed her as Speaker.

“I only have one term to serve. When I finish serving my one term, I give it to Rt Hon [Tayebwa] to continue because you don’t need to cling on power. I have one term to go then I hand it over to him.”

Speaker Anita Among, also the Bukedea District Woman MP, faced with calls to resign over corruption allegations, spoke at Thomas Tayebwa’s thanksgiving ceremony in Ruhinda North, Mitooma District.

The multi-billion St Karoli Lwanga Kigarama Catholic Parish in Bitereko, Ruhinda Constituency had a rich guest list, that included ministers, members of parliament, former prime ministers and Kampala-based billionaires.

In conclusion, Speaker Anita Among’s commitment to serving only one term and handing over power to her deputy, Thomas Tayebwa, is a refreshing departure from the norm. Her praise for Tayebwa’s leadership qualities and urging of voters to support his future candidacy demonstrates her confidence in his ability to lead.

This gesture, amidst calls for her resignation over corruption allegations, showcases her willingness to prioritize the country’s future over personal ambition.