At least five sacks of money in local currency of Shs50,000 denomination, wads of United States dollars, as well as Euros were among items recovered from separate residences of outgoing Parliament Speaker Anita Among, detectives revealed
The houses are spread across Kampala City and Wakiso District. Detectives who are part of the investigations team told this publication their searches in Ms Among’s homes apart from impounding two luxury cars including Rolls Royce and Range Rover ,also yielded several gadgets that included CCTV footage, phones, laptops, computer tablets, smart watches, and camera display television. Other items included motor vehicles, several documents, including bank and company documents, cheques, land titles, cameras, and Internet connection settings.
The investigators said the items retrieved would be used as exhibits to process evidence on allegations of illicit wealth accumulation, money laundering, abuse of office, and possible violations of Uganda’s Leadership Code Act against the former Speaker of Parliament.
“’This is a joint investigation led by the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (CID), other agencies like Defence Intelligence and Security (DIS) formerly CMI [the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence], police Crime Intelligence, Special Force Command Intelligence Directorate, and police Directorate of Forensic Services,” the detective said. The first operation was conducted at Ms Among’s home in Nakasero, an upscale Kampala suburb, where a joint security deployment sealed off sections around the residence as investigators conducted a search operation that lasted for more than eight hours.
Witnesses reported seeing multiple security vehicles, plain-clothed operatives and armed personnel entering and exiting the compound throughout the day and late into the night. During the operation, access to the residence remained tightly controlled with only few individuals seen moving in or out of the compound. By Sunday morning, most operatives had withdrawn, although a smaller VVIP security presence remained stationed near the main gate. Authorities have not formally disclosed the exact nature of the investigation, but the operation is understood to be part of a probe that President Museveni sanctioned to look into an alleged corruption and unexplained enrichment by the outgoing Speaker.
The searches come barely three days after the swearing-in of newly-elected MPs and before Parliament elects its Speaker for the 12th Parliament on May 25. Ms Among had expressed her intention to seek a second term in office. But in an unexpected twist of events on Sunday night, Ms Among through her official X handle, withdrew her intentions to seek another term. “I wish to draw the attention of the public to the matters regarding the Speakership race. After wide consultations and deep introspection, and to maintain harmony and clarity in my beloved party, the @NRMOnline, I wish to categorically and unequivocally state that I will not be offering myself for the Speakership race of the 12th Parliament.
“I am greatly indebted to H.E @KagutaMuseveni, and members of the 11th Parliament for giving me the opportunity to serve as Deputy Speaker and Speaker. I am equally indebted to my family and friends for the solidarity and support they have extended to me over the last five years. I pledge my total support to the candidates who will be endorsed by the President and the Party, and Implore all colleague MPs of the 12th Parliament to do the same.
“I shall remain available to the service of my country as the party and the President may assign me. In the meantime, I pledge to continue cooperating with all ongoing investigations as initiated by the relevant organs of the State to get to the root of all the allegations raised,” she posted