Veteran Ugandan journalist Steven Ariong has said that the decision by former Speaker of Parliament Anita Annet Among to withdraw from the race for Speaker of the 12th Parliament is “not enough,” arguing that she should also resign as Woman Member of Parliament for Bukedea District.
Ugandans woke up on Monday morning to reports circulating on social media after Anita Among announced through her official X account that she would no longer contest for the Speakership position in the upcoming Parliament.
In her statement, Among said that after “wide consultations and deep introspection,” she had decided not to offer herself for the Speakership race in order to maintain harmony within the ruling National Resistance Movement.
She thanked President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the NRM party, Members of Parliament, family, and friends for supporting her during her tenure as Deputy Speaker and Speaker. She also pledged to cooperate with ongoing investigations being conducted by state agencies into allegations that have recently emerged against her.
However, reacting to the development, Ariong said the former Speaker’s withdrawal from the race alone does not go far enough in addressing public concerns.
According to Ariong, Anita Among should also vacate her Bukedea Woman MP seat and allow voters to return to the polls and choose new leadership.
Ariong further praised comments reportedly made by Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, whom he referred to as the “supreme leader of PLU,” alleging that the military general also supported calls for Among to step down from elective politics entirely.
The journalist accused the former Speaker of allegedly influencing political processes in several districts across the Teso sub-region, including Serere, Bukedea, Kumi, Soroti, and Amuria, by backing candidates against the wishes of local voters.
He claimed that the frustrations and grievances from some residents in those areas would continue to haunt the former Speaker politically.
Ariong concluded by saying that leaders must respect democratic principles and allow citizens to freely choose their representatives without interference.
The comments come at a time when Uganda’s political atmosphere is heating up ahead of the formation of the 12th Parliament, with internal battles within the ruling NRM party continuing to attract public attention
