It is one of the biggest political twists of Uganda’s 12th Parliament. Former Speaker Anita Among, once the most powerful figure inside Parliament after the President, has been assigned to serve as an ordinary member of the influential Committee on Government Assurance and Implementation—a committee that will now be chaired by one of her fiercest political adversaries, Francis Zaake.
The designation, announced after party whips submitted committee memberships for approval, has created political excitement both inside Parliament and across the country.For many observers, the optics could not be more dramatic.
Only months ago, Among presided over parliamentary sittings from the Speaker’s chair, wielding enormous authority over MPs—including repeatedly clashing with opposition legislators led by the National Unity Platform (NUP).Today, she finds herself seated under the leadership of Zaake, the outspoken Mityana Municipality MP who has never hidden his criticism of her leadership style.
A COMPLETE REVERSAL
Government Chief Whip Jane Ruth Aceng designated the Bukedea Woman MP to the Committee on Government Assurance and Implementation. The committee plays one of Parliament’s most important oversight roles.
Its mandate is to monitor promises, commitments and undertakings made by government ministers and agencies on the floor of Parliament and ensure that those commitments are actually fulfilled.
Ironically, Among, who previously presided over ministers making such promises from the Speaker’s chair, will now be part of the team tasked with following them up.However, what has attracted even greater attention is who will be leading that committee.
The Opposition designated Francis Zaake as Chairperson, with Soroti Woman MP Anna Adeke serving as Deputy Chairperson.The arrangement means Among will report through a committee chaired by one of the opposition politicians who frequently accused her of bias during her tenure as Speaker.
ZAAKE CELEBRATES
Zaake wasted no time celebrating the appointment.Posting shortly after Parliament approved the committee leadership, the opposition legislator thanked National Unity Platform president Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu for entrusting him with the responsibility.
“Grateful to H.E. Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu for the trust! Parliament designated me as Chairperson of the Committee on Government Assurance & Implementation.”
He then delivered the statement that immediately set social media ablaze.”Your Ssabazoganyi chairing with Honorable Anna Adeke, while my former tormentor now sits as a member under me.”
The remark was widely interpreted as a direct reference to Among, whose tenure as Speaker was marked by repeated confrontations with Zaake and other NUP MPs.
A HISTORY OF CLASHES
The political relationship between Zaake and Among has never been smooth.During Among’s time as Speaker, Zaake frequently accused the leadership of Parliament of suppressing opposition voices.
Several heated exchanges unfolded on the floor of Parliament, with Zaake often being ordered out of the chambers during tense debates.Their disagreements became symbolic of the wider political battle between the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) and the opposition NUP.
That history now makes their new committee arrangement one of the most closely watched developments in Parliament.Political analysts say the situation demonstrates how parliamentary committees can dramatically shift political dynamics regardless of previous positions held by members.
CRUCIAL OVERSIGHT ROLE
The Committee on Government Assurance and Implementation is regarded as one of Parliament’s key accountability committees.It tracks government pledges, monitors implementation of resolutions passed by Parliament and follows up on commitments made by ministers.
Failure by ministries and government agencies to honour promises often lands officials before the committee for questioning.Among is therefore expected to work alongside MPs from different political parties in scrutinising government performance.
Observers say the committee’s work will require cooperation despite political differences.
WIDE-RANGING CHANGES
The approval of committee leadership saw Parliament complete one of the most significant reorganisations since the beginning of the new session.Former Deputy Prime Minister Moses Ali was designated to serve on both the ICT and National Guidance Committee as well as the Committee on Subsidiary Legislation.
Former Finance Minister Matia Kasaija was assigned to both the Agriculture Committee and the National Economy Committee.The Agriculture Committee will be chaired by Mawokota North MP Amelia Kyambadde, deputised by Gogonyo County MP Derrick Orone.
Mukono Municipality MP Betty Nambooze will chair the Public Accounts Committee for Local Government with Iganga Municipality MP Mudiobole serving as deputy.Kyadondo East MP Muwada Nkunyingi takes charge of COSASE with Kira Municipality MP George Musisi as his deputy.
Dr. Monday Julius Rude will chair the Health Committee, while Frederick Ruhindi assumes leadership of the Rules, Privileges and Discipline Committee.Parliament also approved the leadership of several newly constituted committees, including the Committee on Subsidiary Legislation, which Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa described as critical in strengthening legislative oversight.
PAN-AFRICAN PARLIAMENT NOMINATIONS
At the same sitting, Government Chief Whip Jane Ruth Aceng nominated Uganda’s representatives to the Pan-African Parliament.
The government nominees include:
Sarah Najuma (Nakaseke District Woman MP)
Arinaitwe Rwakajara (Workers Representative)
Anthony Akol (Kilak North MP)
Opposition Chief Whip Paul Mwiru nominated David Lukyamuzi Kalwanga to represent the opposition.
Speaker Anita Among also nominated Patience Kinshaba Nkunda, the Woman MP for Kanungu District.The election is being conducted under Rule 14 and Appendix E of Parliament’s Rules of Procedure.
POLITICAL MESSAGE
While committee appointments are generally viewed as administrative business, the placement of Among under Zaake has generated enormous political symbolism.Supporters of the opposition have celebrated what they describe as a reversal of fortunes after years of bitter confrontations.
NRM supporters, however, argue that parliamentary committees are collaborative institutions where every member, regardless of previous office, contributes equally to legislative oversight.Whether the relationship between Zaake and Among remains purely professional or develops into one of Parliament’s most intriguing political rivalries remains to be seen.
For now, one thing is certain. The former Speaker who once controlled parliamentary proceedings from the highest chair in the House will now sit as an ordinary committee member—answerable to a chairman she once presided over.In Uganda’s ever-changing political theatre, fortunes can change quickly, and few committee assignments have illustrated that reality more dramatically than Anita Among finding herself serving under Francis Zaake’s leadership.
Author Profile
- Charles Gazza Kodili is a seasoned journalist with over 20 years of experience in the media industry. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communication. He’s currently the Chief Editor at the Investigator.
Charles can also be reached via; Tel: +256 774 108978
Email: [email protected]
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