KAMPALA: Deputy Speaker of Parliament Anita Among has said no one will intimidate her, assuring the country that she will remain in the position for the next 10 years.
According to Among, she deserved to be where she is, and that she will continue to champion’s women rights.
She made the remarks during a debate on a motion paying tribute to Uganda’s first female legislator, Florence Alice Lubega who died on 28th October at the age of 103.
Among’s statement follows reports on social media detailing her alleged financial dealings before being elected Deputy Speaker.
According to a dossier titled “Museveni to remove Deputy Speaker over corruption” and addressed to the IGG, Among, who is also the woman MP for Bukedea, is accused of taking bribes worth millions from different people before she came into office. In one of the accusations, Among reportedly illegally acquired a house from businessman Karim Hirji in Nakasero and refused to pay.
“Along the way she negotiated with Karim Hirji for a sales agreement, faking that President Museveni had agreed to buy the house for her. The agreed sale price for the house is USD 2.7M . Anita made a down payment of USD 300K, leaving a balance of USD 2.4 M which she has failed to pay to date. She is no longer picking Karim calls and she can’t be evicted because she has a barracks of Police,” the dossier reads in part.
After occupying the office of the Deputy Speaker, Anita allegedly demanded Ushs 1BN from Sudhir Ruparelia or she cancels the lucrative contract concluded by Rebecca Kadaga for provision of office space for MPS on Kingdom house.
“Sudhir yielded by parting with only Ushs 100M,” the dossier adds.
But the Deputy Speaker and several MPs have dismissed the allegations.
Government Chief Whip Thomas Tayebwa said the authors of the dossier are riding on deception to character assassinate the deputy speaker.
“It’s easy to destroy others but difficult to build our own names. The Deputy Speaker of Parliament is Number 5 in the hierarchy of government and must be treated with respect,” Tayebwa said.