Lawyers file complaint against Speaker Among over wealth declaration

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A group of Kampala-based lawyers has filed a complaint against Speaker Anita Among over wealth declaration.

The petition was filed with the Inspectorate of Government (IGG), accusing her of allegedly breaching the Leadership Code Act through failure to declare or possible under-declaration of her wealth.

The complaint, dated May 13, 2026, and addressed to IGG Lady Justice Naluzze Aisha Batala, was lodged by six complainants identifying themselves as citizens and taxpayers acting under Section 21 of the Leadership Code Act. 

In the petition, the complainants, led by Andrew Karamagi, a lawyer practising with the Pan African Lawyers Union, argue that Section 4 of the Leadership Code Act requires leaders to declare their income, assets and liabilities every two years, during the month of March.

They contend that failure to comply attracts penalties including dismissal from office and forfeiture of undeclared assets. 

“We accordingly lodge this complaint regarding failure to declare and/or under-declaration of wealth by the aforementioned Anita Annette Among,” the letter reads in part. 

The complainants further asked the IGG to furnish them with Among’s declaration documents, “if any,” as provided for under Section 22 of the Leadership Code Act.

B(L-R) Andrew Karamagi, Grace Achilla, and Kato Tumusiime, who represented a team of lawyers addressing the media on a petition regarding a breach of the Leadership Code, on Wednesday, May 13, 2026. (Photo by Nicholas Oneal)

The petition comes at a politically sensitive moment for Among after the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) withdrew her endorsement for the speakership of the 12th parliament.

PLU is a political pressure group chaired by General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the Chief of Defence Forces and Senior Presidential Advisor of Special Operations.

In a public statement on Tuesday, PLU also withdrew its earlier endorsement for Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa to retain his office. 

The U-turn has since spilled into the already heated race for the Speakership of the 12th Parliament.

A statement issued by PLU Secretary General and Kasambya County MP David Kabanda directed members of the pressure group to instead wait for guidance from President Yoweri Museveni on whom to support.

The withdrawal of support marked a dramatic shift in political fortunes for Among, who only weeks ago appeared firmly in control of the race for Speaker.

Despite the growing criticism, Among’s supporters maintain that she is a wealthy businesswoman with investments in Education, health sectors and other ventures, insisting that her riches were acquired legitimately.

What the law says

The petition heavily relies on provisions of the Leadership Code Act, particularly Section 4, which states that: “A leader shall, every two years during March, submit to the Inspectorate a written declaration of the leader’s income, assets and liabilities in the prescribed form.”

Under the Act, leaders required to declare their wealth include senior public officials such as the President, Vice President, Speaker and Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Members of Parliament, ministers, judges, senior civil servants, heads of public institutions, members of commissions, security chiefs, and other specified public officers.

The group argues that the IGG has jurisdiction to investigate the matter under Section 8(d) of the Inspectorate of Government Act, Chapter 32 of the Law.