U.S.-sanctioned for corruption, a Uganda leader cites anti-gay stance
Anita Among is campaigning to continue as Speaker of Uganda’s Parliament
Antia Among, the speaker of the Ugandan Parliament, claims she was sanctioned by the United States because of her support for the Anti-Homosexuality Act (AHA) 2023.
In fact, she was one of several senior regime officials sanctioned by the Biden Administration for corruption and human rights violations.
She was defending her bid for re-election as speaker after her opponents labeled her an “accidental speaker” as the race gains momentum.
Among stated at the Women’s Day Breakfast meeting held at parliament in early March: “I was sanctioned for defending Uganda’s values.” She was referring to her leading role in the enactment of the harshly anti-LGBTQ legislation, which calls for life imprisonment for same-sex intercourse and death for serial offenders.
The promoters of the AHA were always quick to claim that the law was about defending African and family values because values resonated more with the public sentiments.
“When we were passing the anti-homosexuality bill, everybody was fearing even to move near me, because they thought they would also be attacked like I was attacked. I was sanctioned for the good of this country. I protected the values and the traditions of this country. I carried the cross for the good of this country and I am ready still to carry it. I do not mind about the sanctions”, Among said.
Among was banned from travel to the United States because she and three other Ugandan officials “abused their public positions for their personal benefit at the expense of Ugandans,” U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said.
Among rose to the speakership after the passing of former speaker Jacob Oulanya.
Her opponents are now alleging that she does not have what it takes to preside over parliament, having gained the position by “sympathy” rather than substance.
But she rejected the label of “accidental speaker”, saying that she was voted in by 415 MPs, which she noted isn’t an accident.
Currently, Nobert Mao, president general of the Democratic Party and minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs, seems to be Among’s main challenger but the chances of him or any other contender unseating “Triple A” (Anita Annet Among) are slim because, for now, political weight and numbers favour the incumbent.
Among and her deputy have the full backing of President Yoweri Museveni and they are also counting on the support of 369 National Resistance Movement (NRM) lawmakers in the 526-member 12th parliament plus about 30 independents who typically support the NRM.
Among just presided over a ceremony during which the NRM-leaning MPs signed a memorandum of understanding with the party, promising to support the ruling party’s motions in parliament.
Frank Mugisha, an LGBTQI+ human rights advocate, advises Among to update her rhetoric.
“The divisive, anti-gay rhetoric of the past is a tired script that no longer resonates with the Ugandan people” he stated in response to Anita’s claim that she was sanctioned because of her support for AHA.
For too long, Mugisha notes that politicians have used the LGBTQ community to distract from real issues.
“While they claim to ‘carry a cross’ of tradition, it is the LGBTQ who carry the true weight of the hate they spew. The recent elections sent a clear message: the fact that anti-rights MPs — including the mover of the anti-gay law [Asuman Basalirwa] — lost their seats proves that hate is no longer a winning campaign strategy” he wrote on X.
According to him, voters have moved on, choosing a future of progress over the politics of persecution. “Outdated prejudice is officially losing its grip”, Mugisha stated.
Commentator Twesigye John disputed Among’s claim of being sanctioned over the AHA.
“You were sanctioned because of corruption. Period. It’s on record, so hiding behind the homosexual bill is just a diversion surely”, he wrote on X.
Despite the criticism, Among seems to be convinced that the homosexuality card still carries weight and will deliver her back into the power as Speaker of the 12th Parliament.
“Last time, the ticket was Oulanya’s death. This time, the AHA is her ticket”, said a queer advocate who requested to remain anonymous.
