Embattled former speaker of parliament Anita Among plotted to impeach or succeed Museveni in 2031. And once she learnt of reports that intelligence reports that investigators had been pursuing this line in their probe of her wealth and networks, she quickly distanced herself from rumors of her alleged presidential ambitions. But, The Pearl Times has been told, it was too late for the country’s number three and not even the Pope’s so-called blessings could save her.
Over the years, Uganda’s political corridors have hummed with speculation about the future beyond President Yoweri Museveni, a leader who has dominated the country’s political landscape for four decades. At 81 and in power for half of his age, the question of succession has refused to go away.
As she rose to become the country’s third most important person, Anita Among became a feared person because of her power, wealth and connections.
And there were some whispers that Anita Among, a powerful figure within the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) – she is the second national vice chairperson only third to Museveni and Moses Kigongo.
While no formal declaration of presidential ambition has ever been made by Among, her rapid political rise and expanding influence have inevitably drawn attention from observers seeking to interpret the subtle signals of succession politics.
Weeks ago, Among publicly distanced herself from any suggestion that she harbors presidential ambitions, reiterating her loyalty to Museveni and the NRM.
On that Monday in April 2026, Anita Among went to Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) offices to donate kits for first son, Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), PLU chairman and senior presidential advisor on special operations Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s 52nd birthday run.
The Bukedea District Woman MP used the event to talk about her so-called presidential ambitions. She said she had overachieved and that she would support Gen Muhoozi or Museveni’s preferred candidate. She even talked of retirement in 2031.
“I have heard a section of people out there speaking. I don’t want to call it rubbish, but it is rubbish. That Honourable Anita, in 2031, wants to stand for presidency,” she said.
“I want to tell the Ugandans, even where I am now, I have overachieved. I am saying in 2031 I am retiring from the active politics. If my brother Muhoozi is standing or anybody that President Museveni shows support – that is the person I will support.”
“That statement was prompted by leaked intelligence reports she had received that the big man was annoyed with her for harbouring presidential ambition,” a source familiar with this matter told The Pearl Times.
“Otherwise, it almost came out of the blue.”
Her statements, delivered with emphasis and clarity, were an attempt to renew her loyalty to Museveni and Muhoozi, sources further told us, but the intelligence reports read otherwise.
In Uganda’s political culture—where ambition is often expressed cautiously, if at all—such declarations are rarely taken at face value. Instead, they are read as part of a broader choreography of power, loyalty, and survival.
Among’s increasingly visible national profile, wealth and the ease with which she networks as some of the factors that made her a threat.
As Speaker and a senior party figure, she has played a prominent role in mobilization efforts, particularly in the lead-up to the 2026 elections.
Her presence alongside Museveni at rallies and party events was consistent, reinforcing her image as a key pillar within the NRM’s political machinery.
In her capacity as a senior party official, she also engaged extensively with local leaders across the country. “It is said that she gave some facilitation money, sums some of them had never received as facilitation,” another source claimed.
According to individuals familiar with internal party dynamics, such outreach is not unusual for high-ranking officials. However, in Among’s case, the scale and intensity of her engagements appeared as indicative of a broader strategy to consolidate influence nationwide.
These interpretations remain speculative, but they have contributed to a narrative that positions her as one of several figures whose political trajectories are closely watched in the context of eventual succession.
Sources within political circles, speaking on condition of anonymity, describe a pattern of behind-the-scenes engagement during campaign periods, where senior figures often meet regional leaders and security officials to strengthen coordination.
Some sources allege that facilitation and logistical support are sometimes extended to local actors during such activities, a practice they argue is part of the informal mechanics of political mobilization.
Anita Among was also said to be planning to rally MPs to impeach President Museveni, and maneuvre her way to power.
“Aware of her mobilization skills and the power she wielded over both NRM and opposition MPs, the big man decided to go for Anita before she could go for her,” the source noted.
Her plan, the source further claimed, was to make sure that even the vice president – whoever it would be – would not be able to succeed the impeached president.
The view about Anita Among being caught in NRM political wrangles is reinforced by the argument by some that Anita Among’s woes are not necessarily an act of the president and his son fighting corruption, but rather politics.
“What we are witnessing is politics masquerading as law enforcement – as fighting corruption. In truth, AAA is facing a political witch-hunt. (I know, she deserves it, but it has to be narrated as such),” argued political analyst Yusuf Serunkuma, writing on X, formerly Twitter.
“The entire series is an internal NRM wrangle where dialogue failed – and her yesterday’s enablers and co-conspirators leveraged their more powerful positions. One more time, AAA’s crimes are neither unique nor exceptional. She is the absolute embodiment of NRM flesh and spirit.”
With the state being stingy with information on the Anita Among investigation, the claims that the outgoing speaker planned to impeach or plotted to succeed Museveni are difficult to verify.
For now, Anita Among is out of the speaker race, and had reportedly been promised ‘a big job’ but it is now said that the one who promised her might as well changed his mind because she refused to withdraw from the race for the entire weekend. (See Details Here).
It is also said that billions of money and some witchcraft items were recovered from Anita Among’s homes, and her Rolls Royce and other properties will be auctioned, according to Muhoozi. (See Details Here, There and Over There).
Meanwhile, MP David Kabanda says he has received death threats over the operation against Anita Among, as reported Here.
