Former Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago has claimed that corruption allegations facing former Speaker of Parliament Anita Among will eventually be dropped following her reported withdrawal from the Speakership race and what he described as political concessions to Yoweri Museveni.
Speaking during a press conference on Monday, Lukwago, who is also the President of the People's Front for Freedom party, argued that the ongoing corruption investigations targeting Among are not genuinely aimed at fighting corruption but are politically driven.
“These raids are not intended in any way to fight corruption, as the regime would want us to believe,” Lukwago said. “This regime will not prosecute Anita Among.”
According to the PFF leader, Among’s decision to step back from the Speakership contest had effectively removed any political pressure that might have led to prosecution.
“Now that Anita Among has pulled out of the race for Speakership, the wings seem to be clipped,” he said. “She is now on the floor, completely rolling over and complying with whatever they want.”
Lukwago alleged that Among had previously become politically “larger than life” within the ruling National Resistance Movement, prompting internal efforts to manage her influence.
“Anita Among is a creature of Yoweri Kaguta Museveni who was attempting to grow wings,” he claimed. “Now the wings have been clipped and she has been trimmed to size.”
The veteran opposition politician further accused government agencies of selectively applying anti-corruption enforcement to manage political loyalty within the ruling establishment.
He also referenced remarks allegedly made by President Museveni during a recent ruling party gathering in Kyankwanzi, where the President is said to have spoken about forgiveness for leaders who admit wrongdoing and cooperate with authorities.
“You have seen what has been happening,” Lukwago said. “You are told, ‘You’re a thief, but now you’ve repented, and I forgive you.’”
Lukwago questioned the legal basis for such an approach, arguing that the prerogative of mercy applies only after due prosecution and conviction.
“The prerogative of mercy can only be invoked when one has been prosecuted and convicted of a crime,” he said. “Does it even apply to corruption cases?”
The corruption investigations involving Among and other former parliamentary officials continue to dominate political debate, with opposition leaders accusing the government of selective accountability and protection of politically connected individuals.