Speaker of parliament Anita Among (PHOTO/Courtesy)
KAMPALA, UGANDA —The Uganda Law Society (ULS) has strongly criticized Speaker of Parliament Anita Among for her recent remarks appearing to justify corruption. Among suggested that corruption is acceptable if the proceeds are shared with constituents, sparking outrage among anti-corruption advocates.
During a recent event in Lwengo District, Among told voters, “You’re better having a child who eats (steals money) and brings home,” in reference to jailed lawmaker Cissy Namujju, who faces corruption charges alongside two other legislators. Rakai District woman MP Juliet Ssuubi Kinyamatama echoed Among’s sentiments, saying, “If she stole as we all hear, she has been sharing [the loot] with people of Lwengo.”
ULS President Bernard Oundo expressed deep concern over Among’s comments, stating, “Such remarks undermine the fight against corruption and promote impunity. The Constitution and the Anti-Corruption Act are clear on the duty of all citizens to combat corruption. We urge the Speaker and Hon. Kinyamatama to retract their statements and reaffirm their commitment to accountability.”
The ULS called for thorough investigations into high-level corruption reports and urged stakeholders to support accountability institutions and courts. “Corruption erodes public trust, promotes inequality, and diminishes accountability. We must stand together to fight this scourge,” Oundo emphasized.
The controversy has sparked a wider debate about corruption in Uganda’s political elite. Many Ugandans are calling for stronger action against corruption, including the prosecution of high-ranking officials implicated in graft scandals.
