As a section of Teso people are crying to President Museveni to forgive the troubled former Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among, we should bear in mind that the number of people wishing ill upon the former Speaker is growing day by day across the country.
On Monday, I visited Kakumiro District and spent a night there. In the early morning hours of Tuesday, I had breakfast at a small restaurant. The name of former Speaker Among came up in a discussion. I was surprised to see four men get up from their seats, pay for their breakfast, and leave without eating, apparently protesting the mention of Among’s name. I noticed that they did not want to join the discussion since they might have caused a scuffle with another group that had brought up Anita’s name.
As a person who hails from the same region as Among, I became concerned and moved towards the four men. I started interacting with them slowly. At first, they were afraid to talk to me, but eventually they accepted when I offered them a drink and became open enough to reveal their concerns.
Although they refused to tell me their full names, they gave me their surnames and said they were residents of Bugangaizi West County in Kakumiro District. We were able to interact freely.
These four men spoke harshly about the former Speaker of Parliament, accusing her of allegedly denying the voters of Bugangaizi West County the opportunity to elect their preferred candidate and instead imposing a candidate of her choice upon them.
According to them, they are still pained by how the former Speaker of Parliament allegedly extended her influence to Bugangaizi West County, where she fought hard behind the scenes for Mr. Fred Byamukama to go unopposed. They said the person in whom they had placed all their hopes was Mr. James Kisembo Wakame, whose nomination had been successfully completed to contest against Hon. Fred Byamukama, but was later cancelled.
How Were Mr. Kisembo’s Nominations Cancelled?
Here is the story I got from multiple sources in Kakumiro. Mr. Kisembo, who also happens to be the son of a veteran politician, NRM historical figure, and former State Minister for Economic Monitoring in the Office of the President, successfully completed his nomination to contest against Hon. Fred Byamukama.
However, according to the accounts I received, due to fears of defeat, Mr. Fred Byamukama, who was reportedly close to the then Speaker Anita Among, allegedly used that connection to challenge Kisembo’s nomination. It was claimed that Kisembo’s nomination should be cancelled because of alleged forged signatures from people who had supported his nomination.
When Mr. Kisembo produced what he said was evidence of original signatures, together with identification documents and even some supporters appearing in person, the Electoral Commission allegedly did not reconsider its position.
The Electoral Commission went ahead and cancelled Mr. Kisembo’s nomination and declared Mr. Fred Byamukama unopposed. According to the accounts I received, Mr. Kisembo was only notified of the decision on the fifth day, by which time the legal period for filing a challenge was nearly exhausted.
Indeed, the High Court dismissed James Kisembo’s appeal on technical grounds, citing time limitations. However, some residents questioned why other petitions had reportedly been accepted after longer periods. This development ultimately gave Byamukama a free ride to Parliament unopposed, leaving behind Mr. James Kisembo Wakame, whom the four men described as the voters’ preferred candidate.
I also recalled when the Minister of Local Government, Hon. Raphael Magyezi Balam, reportedly issued a warning message on X regarding Mr. Fred Byamukama, who was allegedly sending messages discouraging MPs-elect from attending a thanksgiving event organised by Hon. Oboth-Oboth. To some observers, this suggested a close relationship with the former Speaker, although he has reportedly not publicly visited her since she was placed under house arrest.
This has left many wounds among some voters in Bugangaizi West County, with some continuing to blame Among. My appeal to Hon. Fred Byamukama is to reconcile with his voters if indeed they feel disappointed. Public trust is important, and leaders should remain attentive to the concerns of their constituents.
To my sister Among, many people are expressing grievances about actions they believe affected them negatively. In case President Museveni eventually forgives you after the legal process runs its course, I would encourage you to return and engage with those who feel aggrieved.
In the next story, we shall bring out more details about Kakumiro District.
For me, I tell the truth. Take it and like me, or leave it and hate me.
The writer is a senior veteran journalist.
