Kampala, Uganda: The Minister of State for Lands (Urban Development), Hon Persis Namuganza, has launched a scathing attack on Speaker Anita Annet Among, accusing her of exploiting the name of First Son and Chief of Defence Forces, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, to mobilise support for her Speakership bid in the forthcoming 12th Parliament.
Namuganza’s claims stem from a recent dinner in Kampala that had been presented as part of activities supporting Gen Muhoozi’s birthday run. However, the Bukono County MP-elect, who is also aspiring to oust Among from Speakership, says the event instead turned into a political mobilisation platform targeting Members of Parliament-elect.
“I think the issue of Honourable Anita Among using MK’s name to promote her Speakership interest is not right,” Namuganza said, arguing that attendees were invited under the impression that the gathering was related to Gen Muhoozi’s activities.
“You cannot invite members to turn up in big numbers for what they believe is an MK dinner run, only to turn it into a political campaign,” she added, further alleging that some legislators had expected Gen Muhoozi to attend as the chief guest.
“You even sent information on some platforms that MK will be the chief guest, and then you turn up masquerading as the chief guest and start campaigning for Speakership,” Namuganza said.
A founding member of the Patriotic League of Uganda, the Busoga Princess also claimed that the platform was being diverted from its intended purpose by individuals pursuing personal political ambitions.
“And now we are seeing the PLU being hijacked by some people who wish for themselves. If such persons cannot call people by their own names, it is going to kill the platform,” she said, adding that the alleged strategy was aimed at attracting MPs-elect who may not ordinarily support Among.
“Because you know some Members of Parliament-elect don’t like you, they are tired of you… then you use the PLU platform to seduce them,” she claimed.
Namuganza further criticised the tone of the event, describing it as politically charged and citing chants from supporters. “Her praise singers were shouting that ‘the Queen of Uganda has come’. Royals are born, not named, as she thinks,” she said.
She called on Gen Muhoozi to publicly distance himself from what she described as the misuse of his name and platforms, urging him to remain neutral in the Speakership race.
“I request MK to come out strongly on some of these issues. We support him and we love him, but he should be neutral to all of us,” Namuganza said, warning that perceived alignment could create political tensions.
Namuganza reaffirmed her intention to contest for the Speakership, insisting that leadership positions should be determined on merit rather than political manoeuvring.
“I am an interested candidate in the Speakership and a strong supporter of MK. If I see people hijacking this platform for their own promotion, I don’t agree with it,” she said.
The development further stirrs the race for Speakership with Justice Minister, Norbert Mao on the other side pushing to delay the induction of new MPs for the 12th parliament on grounds that some candidates may use the induction period to influence the speakership elections.
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