JUICY PACKAGE: See the Money and Other Benefits Anita Among Will Get for Serving Uganda as Speaker

 Former Speaker of Parliament Anita Among is set to walk away from the powerful office with a lucrative a juicy package for her job severance (and retirement in another way) that includes a monthly pension, a luxury vehicle, housing benefits, security guards and several other taxpayer-funded perks.

The spotlight on the benefits package come at a time when Among remains at the center of intense public scrutiny over corruption allegations, lavish spending and investigations into her wealth and properties.

Anti-corruption activists and state agencies have intensified pressure on the former speaker, with Among’s homes, assets and luxury vehicles becoming subjects of public debate and investigations.

In recent days, joint security teams comprising CID operatives, UPDF personnel and intelligence agencies raided several of her homes in Nakasero and Kigo as part of investigations into alleged illicit enrichment, money laundering and abuse of office.

The political heat surrounding her has weakened her position within the ruling establishment and kicked her out of Parliament leadership politics.

Investigators reportedly recovered sacks of cash in local and foreign currencies, electronic gadgets, documents, land titles, bank papers and several digital devices during lengthy searches conducted at Among’s residences. Detectives reportedly described the materials as critical evidence in ongoing financial investigations linked to her wealth accumulation.

Security operatives also seized several of Among’s luxury vehicles, including her controversial Rolls-Royce Cullinan reportedly valued at more than Shs3 billion, alongside Range Rovers, Land Cruisers, a Lexus and a Mercedes Benz, some with personalised number plates. The vehicles were towed away on police recovery trucks under heavy security deployment as investigators widened the crackdown dubbed by some allies of Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba as “Operation Maliza Ufisadi.”

At the peak of the pressure, Among withdrew from the race for Speaker of the 12th Parliament. In a public statement, she said she had decided not to seek another term after wide consultations and deep introspection while pledging to cooperate with all ongoing state investigations.

Her exit from the race followed days of political tension within the ruling NRM, public criticism from powerful figures and visible distancing by sections of the establishment.

ANITA AMONG’S BENEFITS

The Bukedea Woman MP and second national vice chairperson of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) will continue enjoying benefits attached to both the offices of Deputy Speaker and Speaker in which she has served, despite her dramatic political troubles and recent fall from the top parliamentary seat.

The package shows that Among is entitled to a monthly salary (pension really) equivalent to 60 percent of the salary earned by the sitting Speaker of Parliament. This means she will continue receiving substantial monthly earnings even after leaving the influential office she occupied following the death of former Speaker Jacob Oulanyah in 2022.

The retirement benefits further include a housing allowance of Shs300 million, in addition to a chauffeur-driven four-wheel vehicle valued at about Shs300 million. The vehicle category ranges between 3500cc and 4000cc, placing it among high-end SUVs often used by top government officials.

Among will also receive Shs600,000 every month for utilities like water and electricity bills, while taxpayers will continue footing the bill for two security guards assigned to her.

Another benefit is periodic furniture support. Under this arrangement, every five years, the former Speaker will receive money to purchase new furniture for her residence.

Critics have questioned whether such generous retirement packages for top political leaders are sustainable in a country where many citizens continue to struggle with poverty, unemployment and poor public services. Supporters of the arrangement, however, argue that senior leaders deserve protection and dignity after serving in sensitive national offices.

Anita Among will not be the first to get such juicy packages.

Senior military officials got huge retirement packages, while former vice presidents and former speakers continue to get juicier packages, as reported Here and There.

Meanwhile, Ofwono Opondo has shared about Anita Among’s condition after visiting her at her home in Nakasero. (See Details Here).