By Sulaiman Kauki
KAMPALA. Ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) Secretary General Richard Todwong has confirmed that outgoing Speaker Anita Among will not attend this evening’s party Central Executive Committee sitting .
Todwong said Among had sent apologies amid heightened political tension, corruption investigations and emerging leadership realignments within the ruling party.
The CEC, the ruling party’s top decision-making organ, is meeting at State House Entebbe later today, Friday while the Parliamentary Caucus is scheduled to convene on May 24.
Ms Among, who is the Second National Vice-Chairperson (Female) and third in the NRM hierarchy after President Museveni and Vice Chairperson Moses Kigongo, had been invited alongside all 354 NRM legislators in the 12th Parliament and dozens of independent MPs aligned to the ruling party – the latter group for the party caucus.
Former government spokesperson and newly sworn-in MP for Elderly Persons in Eastern Uganda Ofwono Opondo earlier said he had visited her and found her in good spirits, dismissing speculation that she was under house arrest.
He also said she had indicated willingness to respect the outcome of the party processes and support the eventual candidate.
The NRM Secretariat had earlier required all MPs to undergo mandatory Covid-19 testing ahead of the meetings, which took place at Parliament’s Conference Hall between May 22 and May 23.
The developments come amid intensified political activity within the ruling establishment, as attention shifts toward leadership arrangements in the next Parliament and the fate of key parliamentary offices.
The meeting also comes against the backdrop of widening investigations into Ms Among’s alleged wealth. Security agencies are reported to have searched her properties in Nakasero, Kigo and Ntinda, and allegedly impounded multiple luxury vehicles, including high-end SUVs.
Earlier reports indicated that a Rolls-Royce and a Range Rover were among the vehicles seized.
The political atmosphere has further been shaped by competing endorsements within ruling party-aligned structures. Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, through his Patriotic League of Uganda, has publicly backed West Budama County South MP Jacob Oboth-Oboth for Speaker and supported Thomas Tayebwa to retain his position as Deputy Speaker.
Gen Muhoozi has also indicated that President Museveni has endorsed the arrangement, adding weight to the emerging internal consensus ahead of the Caucus decisions.