Uganda’s president pardons homophobic politician
Anita Among had spearheaded Uganda’s draconian Anti-Homosexuality Act before her arrest
Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni has pardoned former Speaker of Parliament Anita Among, who spent 100 days under house arrest over allegations of corruption. He directed that all criminal proceedings against her be dropped.
Among was placed under house detention on May 16, 2026, amidst security raids on her residences as part of high-profile investigations into alleged corruption, money laundering, and illicit enrichment.
The news of the presidential pardon was broken by Museveni’s son and Chief of Defense Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba
“Mzee [Museveni] has also instructed me to release AAA [Among] from house arrest. We shall do that as well,” Kainerugaba wrote on X.
In response to whether criminal prosecution against Among would continue, Kainerugaba posted: “No. We shall not prosecute AAA. She made mistakes but Mzee has decided to forgive her.”
Among gained prominence in 2023 when she spearheaded a homophobic campaign that led to the enactment of the draconian Anti-Homosexuality Act (AHA) 2023.
Shortly after receiving the ‘good news,’ Among dropped a thank you post on X addressed to President Museveni and Gen. Muhoozi.
“I take this opportunity to thank the Almighty God for the gift of life and freedom. My profound and heartfelt appreciation goes to His Excellency, President @KagutaMuseveni, for his unmatched parental grace and decision to grant me mercy. I also extend my gratitude to the Chief of Defense Forces, Gen. @mkainerugaba, for his professionalism throughout this period. As the Woman MP for Bukedea, I look forward to continuing my work for my constituents and standing firm with our revolutionary leadership,” Among wrote.
Unlike in her previous posts and statements in which she ranted against ‘homosexuals’ and denied any wrong doing, Among’s post seemed to suggest that she has regained her freedom not because she is innocent, but because of a kind man who granted her “mercy.”
Her release is already a talking point in Uganda, with many branding it as selective mercy.
Corruption investigations against Among led the investigators to several senior parliamentary officials regarded as her inner circle. But as Among, the alleged corruption ringleader walks free, her alleged ‘partners in crime,’ who include the Director of Communications and Public Affairs Chris Obore, the Director of Human Resources Daniel Adilo, Parliamentary Sacco Chief Executive Methods Murebe alongside Leonard Okema, Rajab Kaaya Ssemalulu, Emmanuel Emuron Okwi and Vincent Otebata, are currently remanded in Luzira Prison.
Isaac Atukunda, an advocate and former secretary of the Uganda Law Society, says that pardoning the alleged mastermind of corruption is unconstitutional and abuse of authority.
“Separation of powers is a bedrock of the rule of law. Criminal suspects should be tried by the courts, not shielded from prosecution by executive intervention through pardon,” Atukunda wrote on X. “How can the NRM credibly claim to fight corruption when those at the top can be forgiven while those lower down face the consequences?”
In 2024, Among was one of the high-ranking Ugandan officials sanctioned by the UK and US governments over corruption and human rights abuses. The sanctions included travel bans and asset freezes.
At the time, Among laughed off the sanctions, claiming that she was being witch hunted for her support for AHA 2023.
LGBTQI+ rights advocates are not amused by the news of her release.
Frank Mugisha, the Executive Director of Sexual Minorities Uganda says Among should apologize for her past actions..
“Time to apologize to the Ugandan LGBTQ+ community as well, the community you have hurt so deeply. Homophobia is inhuman,” Mugisha says.
