Speaker Anita Among Speaks Out on Reports of 2031 Presidential Ambitions

Speaker Anita Among has spoken out on reports of 2031 presidential ambitions. Anita Among in on growing political speculation as discussions around Uganda’s future leadership continue to take shape ahead of the 2031 general elections.

Her remarks came during an event where she officiated the handover of UGX 100 million towards the upcoming MK Run scheduled for April 26, 2026.

The function largely focused on mobilising support for the run that will mark the 52nd birthday of Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, president Museveni’s son and senior advisor on special operations, chief of defence forces (CDF) of the UPDF, and the leader of the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLE), but quickly turned into a platform for addressing wider political conversations.

In recent months, conversations in political circles and on social media have increasingly linked senior government officials to possible presidential ambitions, with Among’s name occasionally surfacing among those being speculated about.

While addressing attendees, the Speaker took time to respond to these discussions, first acknowledging that she had come across such claims.

“I have heard a section of people out there – I don’t want to call it rubbish but it is rubbish – that Honourable Anita 2031 wants to stand for president

She then reflected on her political journey, noting that her rise to one of the highest offices in the country had already exceeded her expectations.

“I want to tell Ugandans even where I am right now I have over achieved. I did not expect to be there,” noted Among.

Among went on to make her position unmistakably clear, stating that she has no intention of contesting for the presidency and instead plans to step away from elective politics.

“…and I am saying 2031 I am retiring from active politics if my brother is standing or anybody that the president, Museveni, shows me to support, that is the person I will support,” she said.

The Speaker also reaffirmed her allegiance to President Yoweri Museveni, indicating that her role going forward would be to support a candidate endorsed by him rather than seek office herself.

Anita Among has previously supported the idea of Gen Muhoozi succeeding his father Museveni, saying she believes in the rule of the father, son and mother Here.

She further explained that she does not believe in pursuing roles she feels unprepared for, suggesting that even her current responsibilities are already demanding.

“I don’t pursue what I can’t handle. Even being an MP is too much for me; how then the presidency? I don’t even know how to cock a gun, and I lack the patience,” she noted.

She ultimately dismissed the claims about her presidential ambitions as “total nonsense,” bringing clarity to speculation that had been gaining traction.

Meanwhile, attention is still on Anita Among’s immediate political future within Parliament, where she is expected to seek re-election as Speaker in 2026-2031 term that is just weeks away.

The race is already attracting interest, with Norbert Mao, the Laroo-Pece MP-elect, justice and constitutional affairs minister and opposition Democratic Party (DP) president general, openly expressing his intention to challenge her for the position.

Mao has previously described Among as an “accidental speaker,” referencing the circumstances under which she assumed the role in 2022 after the death of Jacob Oulanyah. Her elevation from Deputy Speaker to Speaker at the time has remained a point of political debate, setting the stage for what could become a closely watched contest in the next Parliament. Anita Among has rejected the label of ‘accidental speaker.’ (See Details Here and There).

At the recently held Kyankwanzi retreat of NRM MPs-elect, Anita Among warned Mao against getting into the NRM bedroom, to which Mao responded by labelling Anita Among a badly mannered adopted child, as reported Here and There.

Meanwhile, Museveni’s son Muhoozi has asked Norbert Mao to quit the speaker race for a bigger position, while an top NRM cadre has begged Museveni to consider appointing Norbert Mao vice president as a way of rewarding Northern Uganda. (See Details Here and There).