Anita Among's Fall Exposes NRM's Troubled System

The ouster of former Speaker of Parliament Anita Among has sent shockwaves through Uganda’s political landscape, bringing into sharp focus the pervasive corruption and illicit enrichment that have characterized the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government for decades.

Twenty years ago, then-Vice President Gilbert Bukenya first publicly warned of a “mafia” operating within the state. Since then, Uganda has witnessed an explosion of wealth and property accumulation, particularly in and around Kampala, fueled by what many describe as corruption and money laundering. The current investigations into Ms. Among’s alleged misconduct, abuse of office, and financial mismanagement echo these long-standing concerns.

Critics argue that the NRM’s 40-year rule has been marked by “primitive accumulation of primitive wealth,” with leaders prioritizing personal gain—more houses, cars, and luxury—over national development or philanthropy. This insatiable hunger for wealth, often disconnected from legitimate endeavors, has created a system where illegality and irregularity are commonplace, even in the fight against corruption itself.

A prime example of this distorted logic is the current anti-corruption drive being spearheaded by the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba. This approach bypasses established state institutions and raises questions about potential overreach, drawing parallels to Ms. Among’s past decision to ban Nation Media Group from covering Parliament proceedings—an act only reversed now that she is out of favor.

The NRM’s history of turning a blind eye to the ill-gotten gains of officials, often citing fears that they might move their wealth abroad, has fostered a climate of impunity. This has led to a society where the lines between legitimate business and criminal activity are blurred, creating a “Mafia-like State” as once described by Gilbert Bukenya.

The clamping down on Among, observers suggest, is not about her newfound wealth but rather the potential for such wealth to be leveraged for political ends, particularly a presidential bid. The arbitrary and twisted logic employed by the NRM in wielding power continues to be a central theme in Uganda’s political discourse.

Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)