Africa-Press – Uganda. Supporters of Speaker of Parliament Anita Annet Among have launched a grassroots mobilisation campaign across Ankole subregion to rally support for her bid to retain the position of National Female Vice Chairperson on the ruling NRM party’s Central Executive Committee (CEC).
Operating under the banner of the “Anita Among Ankole Chapter,” the group plans to move district by district in the subregion, targeting NRM delegates eligible to vote in the party’s upcoming internal elections.
The CEC is the highest decision-making organ of the NRM, chaired by President Yoweri Museveni.
Group leaders say Among’s championing of the Anti-Homosexuality Act, which Parliament passed into law in 2023, is among the key reasons they are backing her candidacy.
“Speaker Anita Among is deeply rooted in our culture. You all saw how she led the charge on the Anti-gay Bill in Parliament. That showed her commitment to protect Uganda’s moral fabric, and that’s why we must support her, come rain or shine,” said Ambrose Turyamureba, a member of the chapter.
While addressing the media in Mbarara, Rodgers Arinaitwe, chairperson of the chapter, said their mobilisation efforts would also extend to galvanising support for President Museveni, whom they endorsed to remain the party’s national chairman.
“We are here to endorse Speaker Among and affirm our full support for her. We are confident she will win,” Arinaitwe said.
Among is facing off against First Deputy Prime Minister Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga, a seasoned political figure and former Speaker of Parliament, in what is expected to be a closely watched race for the female slot on the CEC.
Supporters of Among argue that she has demonstrated unifying leadership in Parliament and has shown boldness in defending cultural values, which they claim resonates strongly with the NRM grassroots.
“Homosexuality had become a threat in our schools, but when the bill became law, our children were given a chance to grow up morally upright,” said Adam Abaho, a member of the mobilisation team.
“You cannot fail to support someone who stood firm and protected our culture.”
The group also weighed in on the recent controversy surrounding the Shs100 million given to Members of Parliament, which some critics have cited as evidence of mismanagement.
However, Among’s supporters defended her, saying she had no personal involvement in the disbursement.
“She is being unfairly accused over money she did not authorise. We believe in her integrity and leadership,” said Javira Muhangi, one of the campaigners.
With the NRM internal elections approaching, the Anita Among Ankole Chapter says it is now intensifying its efforts to meet all district-level delegates by August.
“From here, we’re heading straight to other districts. We are speaking to every NRM delegate and asking them to cast their vote for Speaker Among,” Muhangi said.
The campaign in Ankole is expected to set the pace for similar mobilisation activities in other regions, as Among seeks to strengthen her footing in the powerful NRM decision-making organ.
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