'President Museveni Is My Mentor and Guardian; I Will Always Remain Loyal to Him,' Troubled Former Speaker Anita Among Declares as She Reflects on Her Rise From Poverty to Parliament's Top Leadership

Troubled former Speaker of Parliament Anita Annet Among has reaffirmed her loyalty to President Yoweri Museveni, describing him as both her mentor and guardian despite the political and legal challenges she is currently facing.

Speaking on Sunday while hosting a delegation of Teso cultural leaders at her residence in Nakasero, Among said she remains deeply grateful to President Museveni for the role he played in her political journey, saying he gave her the opportunity to rise from a humble background to one of the highest offices in the country.

According to Among, her relationship with the President goes beyond politics, noting that she will continue to stand by him regardless of the criticism and difficulties surrounding her public life.

"I remain loyal to President Museveni because he is my mentor and guardian. I will always be grateful to him for lifting me from poverty and entrusting me with the responsibility of serving as Speaker of Parliament," Among told the delegation.

She said her appointment to Parliament's top leadership was a life-changing opportunity that demonstrated the President's confidence in her ability to serve the country.

Among also encouraged the visiting cultural leaders to continue promoting peace, unity and development within the Teso sub-region, emphasizing the importance of preserving cultural values while supporting national development.

Her remarks come at a time when she continues to face intense public scrutiny following political controversies and legal challenges that have attracted both local and international attention. Despite the criticism, Among indicated that she remains focused on serving Ugandans and strengthening her relationship with supporters across the country.

Political observers say her latest comments are likely to reignite debate within Uganda's political landscape, particularly regarding loyalty within the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) and the influence President Museveni continues to wield over senior party leaders.

Supporters have praised Among for openly acknowledging the President's contribution to her political career, while critics argue that public officials should prioritize institutional accountability over personal political allegiance.

The visit by Teso cultural leaders was also seen as an opportunity to discuss issues affecting the region and explore ways of strengthening cooperation between cultural institutions and political leaders.