Kampala City, Uganda: Former Speaker of Parliament and Bukedea Woman Legislator Anita Annet Among has been appointed an ordinary member of Parliament’s Committee on Government Assurances and Implementation, a committee that will be chaired by National Unity Platform (NUP) legislator Francis Zaake.
The committee assignments were announced on Tuesday by Government Chief Whip Dr Jane Ruth Aceng as Parliament constituted its sectoral and accountability committees to commence business in the 12th Parliament.
The appointment places Among, who until earlier this year presided over parliamentary proceedings as Speaker, under the leadership of one of her most outspoken political critics.
Welcoming the development, the Mityana Municipality legislator said the appointment demonstrated how public office is temporary and urged the former Speaker to actively participate in the committee’s work.
“What I learned today is that life comes full circle. It is ironic that the person who used to make my life difficult in Parliament when she was Speaker is now serving under me on my committee,” Zaake said.
“However, I welcome her to work. I hope she will come and attend committee meetings. Assurance Committee is not about fighting but helping our people get what has been promised to them.”
Mukono Municipality Woman MP Betty Nambooze also weighed in on the appointments, saying they offered an important lesson in humility for public leaders.
She remarked that, as an ordinary committee member, Among would now be required to seek the chairperson’s permission to speak during committee proceedings or request approval for official committee activities.
“What goes around comes around,” Nambooze said, adding that former Finance Minister Matia Kasaija had also been appointed an ordinary member of Parliament’s Budget Committee.
The Committee on Government Assurances and Implementation is one of Parliament’s key accountability committees mandated to monitor commitments made by the Executive and ensure government delivers on promises made to citizens.
The committee scrutinises assurances given by ministers and government agencies and follows up on their implementation.
A Long Political Rivalry
Among and Zaake have had a strained political relationship spanning several years. The NUP legislator first came into national prominence during the September 2017 debate on the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, commonly known as the “Togikwatako” Bill, which sought to remove the presidential age limit.
The proceedings descended into violence after opposition MPs attempted to block the debate, leading to security personnel forcefully ejecting legislators from the chamber. Zaake sustained injuries during the confrontation and later received medical treatment.
Their relationship deteriorated further during Among’s tenure as Speaker, with Zaake repeatedly accusing parliamentary leadership of failing to protect opposition legislators from violence inside the House.
In November 2024, Zaake was assaulted during a heated exchange in Parliament when Kilak North MP Anthony Akol punched him, leaving him with facial injuries. Following the incident, Zaake criticised Among for what he described as inadequate action against violence targeting opposition MPs.
On March 11, 2022, Parliament voted by secret ballot to remove Zaake from the Parliamentary Commission following recommendations of the Committee on Rules, Privileges and Discipline over social media statements he had made concerning Among. A total of 155 MPs supported his removal.
However, on September 28, 2023, the Constitutional Court nullified the resolution, ruling that Parliament lacked the constitutionally required quorum when it voted to remove him.
The political dispute resurfaced in March 2024 when the National Unity Platform nominated Zaake to replace Mathias Mpuuga as Parliamentary Commissioner following the controversy surrounding the “service award” payments.
Among declined to implement the party’s request, maintaining that Parliamentary Commissioners are elected by Parliament and cannot be replaced solely through a political party decision.
The latest committee appointments represent a significant reversal in parliamentary roles.
Whereas Among previously presided over parliamentary proceedings as Speaker, she will now serve as an ordinary member on a committee chaired by Zaake, a legislator who frequently challenged her decisions during her tenure.
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