Security withdraws from Among’s residence

Several security officers who had become a permanent presence at former speaker of parliament Annet Anita Among’s residence in Nakasero have been withdrawn.

The change in security deployment came hours after Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba announced that his father, President Museveni, had forgiven Among and directed that she be released from house arrest.

Muhoozi also said Among would not face prosecution over allegations investigated by security agencies. Among’s troubles reportedly began after she fell out with President Museveni over the speakership of parliament earlier this year.

She is said to have resisted pressure to withdraw from the race in favour of the eventual speaker, Jacob Oboth Oboth.

Shortly afterwards, security agencies raided her residences in Nakasero, Kigo, Ntinda and Bukedea, as well as properties linked to her, in investigations into alleged corruption, abuse of office, money laundering and illicit wealth accumulation.

She was subsequently placed under house arrest at her Nakasero residence, while her bank accounts were reportedly frozen. Although Muhoozi announced her release, Among remained largely inaccessible on Wednesday.

When The Observer visited her Nakasero residence, reporters were informed that Among had instructed that she would not receive visitors during the day.

During the period of her house arrest, access to the residence was generally controlled by security personnel stationed at the gate, with visitors required to obtain clearance before entering.

SFC presence disappears

The security deployment at the residence had also visibly changed. At the height of Among’s house arrest, personnel from the Special Forces Command (SFC) were prominently deployed around the residence. On Wednesday, however, no soldiers in army uniform were seen at the main gate.

Instead, three Counter Terrorism Police officers were stationed at the entrance, while two men dressed in civilian clothes sat under a mango tree opposite the residence.

The change could signal a reduction in the level of security restrictions imposed on the former Speaker following the President’s reported decision to pardon her, although the exact orders governing the new deployment were not immediately clear.

Among thanks Museveni, Muhoozi

Meanwhile, Among has publicly thanked President Museveni for ordering her release and described the decision as an act of “parental grace”.

In a statement posted on X, Among expressed gratitude to God for her life and freedom and thanked Museveni for what she described as his decision to extend mercy to her.

“I take this opportunity to thank the Almighty God for the gift of life and freedom,” Among said.

“My profound and heartfelt appreciation goes to His Excellency, President Kaguta Museveni, for his unmatched parental grace and decision to grant me mercy.”

Among also thanked Gen Muhoozi for what she described as his professionalism during the period she was under security restrictions.

“I also extend my gratitude to the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi, for his professionalism throughout this period,” she said.

Among, who remains the Woman MP for Bukedea, said she intended to return to her duties and continue serving her constituents while supporting the government.

“As the Woman MP for Bukedea, I look forward to continuing my work for my constituents and standing firm with our revolutionary leadership,” she said.

Asked whether the State would proceed with criminal charges against Among, Gen Muhoozi was categorical that she would not be prosecuted.

“No. AAA will not be prosecuted. She made errors, but Mzee has chosen to pardon her,” he said, referring to his father, President Museveni.

Officials arrested over Shs 37bn theft

The decision to spare Among prosecution comes against the backdrop of a wider investigation into the management of parliamentary resources, which has resulted in the arrest and prosecution of several senior parliamentary officials.

The officials, some of whom were regarded as close associates of the former Speaker, have been charged with offences including corruption, embezzlement, money laundering and causing financial loss in connection with alleged mismanagement of about Shs 37 billion.

Among herself, however, had not been formally charged in connection with the investigation by the time Muhoozi announced President Museveni’s decision.

The development has therefore left the former speaker politically pardoned but surrounded by an unresolved corruption controversy, with several officials linked to the wider investigation still facing criminal proceedings.

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