Africa-Press – Uganda. Speaker of Parliament Anita Among has praised lawmakers for passing the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (Amendment) Bill, 2025, citing the long-standing insecurity that plagued the Teso region as a key reason for the legal reforms.
Among made the remarks while meeting over 400 National Resistance Movement (NRM) delegates at her country home in Kamutur, Bukedea District.
She said the new Act, particularly Section 117(a), empowers the General Court Martial to try civilians accused of participating in war-related crimes—something she framed as a long-overdue response to the armed violence that ravaged her region.
“We the people of Teso have suffered a lot because of the Karimojong and the karacunas,” she said.
“They came here using guns, dressing like army officers. We had to pass that law.”
Among referred to the era of the Lord’s Resistance Army insurgency led by Joseph Kony, which devastated northern and eastern Uganda in the early 2000s, followed by waves of cattle rustling that left families in Teso bereft of their livestock and livelihoods.
“I want to thank my people and Members of Parliament for supporting this law,” she said.
“I will ensure that the beneficiaries of this legislation are the people of Bukedea.”
The bill, which has stirred debate for extending military court jurisdiction over civilians, was framed by Among as a step towards accountability for crimes that the ordinary courts have struggled to address.
She framed its passage as a victory for vulnerable communities exposed to armed criminality.
As the NRM prepares for tense internal primaries, Among used the occasion to call for unity and restraint among party supporters in Bukedea.
“We no longer have camps in our district,” she said.
“We want Bukedea to be a model district that embraces unity. The party we serve is bigger than all of us, and that’s why Hon. Rose Akol and I have agreed to work together.”
Among is currently criss-crossing the country in a campaign to unseat former Speaker Rebecca Kadaga as NRM’s second National Vice Chairperson (Female).
While she did not directly reference the race, her remarks in Bukedea signalled an attempt to consolidate support in eastern Uganda by projecting herself as a bridge-builder and protector of the region’s interests.
Her call for unity comes amid growing tension over internal NRM contests, especially in districts where political loyalties have fractured during past elections.
By positioning Bukedea as an example of cohesion, Among sought to reinforce her image as a stabilising force within the ruling party.
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