Former Speaker of Parliament Anita Annet Among has returned to the ruling National Resistance Movement’s (NRM) high-level political engagements, attending a meeting of the party’s Central Executive Committee (CEC) at State House Entebbe on Tuesday.
Among’s appearance at the meeting marks a return to a prominent party setting following a period in which her political activities were overshadowed by security restrictions, investigations and uncertainty about her future in the NRM leadership.
The Bukedea District Woman MP had been one of the ruling party’s most influential figures, serving as Deputy Speaker before assuming the Speakership in March 2022 following the death of Jacob Oulanyah.
However, her political trajectory took a dramatic turn in May 2026, when joint security teams searched properties associated with her in Nakasero, Kigo and Bukedea as part of investigations into allegations including illicit enrichment, money laundering, corruption and abuse of office.
The operations also involved searches at her former parliamentary chambers and the temporary impounding of at least five luxury vehicles linked to her.
Although the allegations had not resulted in formal charges at the time, the controversy unfolded as the NRM prepared to select its candidate for Speaker in the 12th Parliament.
On May 17, Among announced that she would not seek re-election to the position, explaining that her decision followed consultations and was intended to preserve harmony within the ruling party. She also pledged to cooperate with the ongoing investigations.
Her withdrawal cleared the way for West Budama South MP Jacob Marksons Oboth-Oboth to become the NRM’s candidate. Parliament subsequently elected Oboth-Oboth as Speaker, while Thomas Tayebwa retained the Deputy Speaker position.
Among then spent approximately 100 days under house arrest as security restrictions remained in place, further limiting her public political engagements.
A significant development came in August when Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba announced that President Yoweri Museveni had directed that Among be released from house arrest and would not be prosecuted over the allegations.
Muhoozi said the President had decided to forgive her, marking a turning point in a controversy that had kept the former Speaker away from the centre of public political activity.
Her attendance at Tuesday’s CEC meeting now places her back among senior NRM leaders at a time when the party is organising its leadership and political activities following the 2026 general elections.
The CEC is among the NRM’s principal decision-making organs, bringing together senior party officials to deliberate on political strategy, organisational affairs and other matters affecting the ruling party. Its decisions have also played a significant role in shaping the NRM’s position on parliamentary leadership.
Despite losing the Speakership, Among remains the elected Woman MP for Bukedea and the NRM’s Second National Vice Chairperson (Female), positions that retain her within the party’s formal leadership structure.
Her presence at State House therefore brings renewed attention to her place in the ruling party after months of uncertainty surrounding her political engagements.
It remains unclear whether Tuesday’s meeting will address her future responsibilities within the NRM or whether her attendance represents a routine exercise of her existing party role.