Kampala, Uganda – The current Speaker of the Ugandan Parliament, Rt. Hon. Anita Among, has traversed a remarkable political journey, transitioning from the opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) to becoming a prominent leader in the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Among was initially recruited into FDC by the party’s stalwart, Dr. Kizza Besigye, and served in various capacities within the opposition party.
Despite her dedication, she faced electoral setbacks, losing bids for the Bukedea Woman MP seat in 2007 and 2011 under the FDC banner.
Her fortunes changed in 2016 when she contested as an independent candidate and won the Bukedea Woman MP seat, marking a turning point in her career that ultimately paved the way for her switch to the NRM in 2020.
After formally joining the NRM following a fallout with FDC, Among won the party primaries and went on to be re-elected unopposed in the 2021 general elections, solidifying her position within the ruling party.
As Speaker of Parliament, a position she assumed on March 25, 2022, replacing Jacob Oulanyah, Among has distanced herself from her FDC past.
During a heated parliamentary session, she dismissed reminders of her opposition roots, stating she has no regrets about leaving the party.
Among’s rise within the NRM has been swift, with her expressing interest in vying for the position of NRM Vice Chairperson (Female) and recently picking up nomination forms for a third term as Woman Member of Parliament for Bukedea District.
When asked about her confidence in the party’s electoral process, Among praised the NRM for its commitment to transparency and democratic principles, saying, “NRM has been and will always be a democratic party.”As a tested leader within the NRM, Among exuded confidence in her ability to navigate the party primaries.
When probed about the possibility of running as an independent candidate if she fails to win the primaries, she dismissed the suggestion, asserting, “I am a tested leader. I cannot fail to go through the party primaries.”
Among’s transformation from an FDC cadre to a prominent NRM leader has been marked by her resilience and adaptability, and her future within the party and Ugandan politics will undoubtedly be closely watched.
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