KAMPALA, Uganda — President Yoweri Museveni has ordered the release of former Speaker of Parliament Anita Annet Among from house arrest and decided that she will not face criminal prosecution over allegations that had triggered a major investigation into her wealth and conduct at Parliament.
The decision was announced on Tuesday, August 25, by Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who said Museveni had instructed him to end Among’s restrictions.
“Mzee has also instructed me to release AAA from house arrest. We shall do that as well,” Muhoozi said in a post on X.
Asked whether Among would still face prosecution, Muhoozi ruled it out.
“No. We shall not prosecute AAA. She made mistakes but Mzee has decided to forgive her,” he said.
The announcement represents a dramatic reversal for Among, who had spent months under restricted movement as security and anti-corruption authorities investigated allegations of corruption, illicit enrichment, abuse of office and money laundering.
It also comes after the former Speaker withdrew from the contest for Speaker of the 12th Parliament amid the investigations. She was subsequently replaced by Jacob Oboth Oboth.
Among, the Bukedea District Woman MP, was placed under house arrest after security agencies searched properties linked to her in Nakasero, Kigo and Bukedea in May.
The searches formed part of investigations into her wealth, property holdings and financial dealings, with investigators also examining aspects of the administration and management of Parliament during her tenure as Speaker.
The investigations followed years of scrutiny of Among’s wealth and political activities.
In April 2024, the United Kingdom sanctioned her under its Global Anti-Corruption regime, alleging that she benefited from the diversion of iron sheets meant for vulnerable communities in Karamoja. The sanctions included an asset freeze and travel restrictions.
The United States followed with sanctions in May 2024, citing what it described as significant corruption linked to her leadership of Parliament.
Among denied wrongdoing and rejected the allegations as politically motivated.
The latest Ugandan investigation nevertheless represented a significant escalation, with authorities examining her assets and financial affairs and searching properties associated with her.
No criminal charges had been filed against Among in connection with the 2026 investigation before Museveni’s decision.
The President’s decision comes as several senior Parliament officials linked to the wider investigation remain before the courts.
The Inspectorate of Government charged seven senior parliamentary officials in July with offences including embezzlement, causing financial loss and money laundering. The officials include former Director of Communications and Public Affairs Chris Obore, Director of Human Resource Daniel Adilo, Executive Secretary in the Office of the Speaker Leonard Okema, Rajab Kaaya Ssemalulu, Emmanuel Emuron Okwi, Vincent Otebata and Parliament SACCO chief executive Methods Murebe.
According to the charges, Obore is accused of allegedly embezzling about Shs5.25 billion, while Adilo is accused of allegedly diverting approximately Shs14.61 billion. Okema faces an allegation involving about Shs3.49 billion. The accused officials have not been convicted and remain entitled to due process.
The wider case has since been committed to the High Court, with prosecutors alleging that about Shs26 billion intended for government donations, community engagements and corporate social responsibility activities was lost.
That creates a significant new question following Museveni’s intervention; What happens to the wider investigation now that the former Speaker at its centre will not be prosecuted?
The President’s decision concerning Among does not, on its face, terminate criminal proceedings against other suspects. The parliamentary officials are facing separate allegations and court proceedings.
It also remains unclear whether the decision to release Among and halt her prosecution will result in the return of property, vehicles or other assets that may have been seized during the investigations.
The announcement did not provide details on the status of any reported restrictions on her bank accounts or assets.
Nor was it immediately clear whether investigative reports concerning Among would be made public.
The distinction is important; Muhoozi’s statement that Museveni has forgiven Among is a political decision; it is not a judicial finding that the allegations against her were false or that she was acquitted in court.
The former Speaker had not been formally charged in the latest investigation.
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Among’s political fortunes have changed sharply in a matter of months.
She was previously one of the most powerful figures in Uganda’s political establishment, presiding over Parliament and maintaining close ties to Museveni’s ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).
The investigation forced her out of the race for the Speakership of the new Parliament and kept her largely away from public life.
Her release now clears the way for her to resume movement and potentially return to political activity, although the precise terms of the presidential directive remain to be clarified.
The decision also puts the government in a difficult political position as it continues to prosecute senior parliamentary officials accused of financial crimes allegedly committed during the period of Among’s leadership.
For Among, however, the immediate outcome is clear; The house arrest is set to end and, according to Muhoozi, the State will not prosecute her over the allegations that triggered the investigation.
The fate of the wider parliamentary corruption cases—and whether any investigative findings concerning Among will be made public—remains unresolved.
