Anita Among to Serve Under Francis Zaake's Chairmanship in Parliamentary Committee

In a surprising turn of political events, former Speaker Anita Among has been assigned to the Committee on Government Assurances and Implementation. This appointment places her as a member under the leadership of Francis Zaake, the current chairperson of the committee and MP for Mityana Municipality.

This development is particularly noteworthy due to the long history of animosity and public confrontations between Among and Zaake during their parliamentary careers. Zaake had been one of Among’s most vocal critics during her tenure as Speaker, frequently accusing the leadership of mishandling parliamentary proceedings and failing to protect opposition members.

Their strained relationship dates back to significant events in Parliament, including the chaotic debates surrounding the 2017 “Togikwatako” bill to remove presidential age limits, where Zaake was among legislators injured. Further friction arose from incidents within the House, such as Zaake being assaulted by another MP in November 2024, after which he publicly criticized Speaker Among’s handling of the situation.

Their political differences also led to Zaake’s removal from the Parliamentary Commission in March 2022, a decision later nullified by the Constitutional Court. More recently, in March 2024, Speaker Among disagreed with the National Unity Platform’s (NUP) decision to replace Mathias Mpuuga with Zaake as a commissioner.

The Committee on Government Assurances and Implementation plays a crucial oversight role, tracking government promises and assessing their fulfillment by various state agencies. The new committee lineup, with Zaake at the helm and Among as a member, signifies a notable shift in parliamentary dynamics following the end of Among’s speakership.

Other committee changes announced by Government Chief Whip Jane Ruth Aceng include the reassignment of Among’s husband, Moses Magogo, to the Human Rights Committee, and the removal of Patrick Isiagi, Among’s uncle, from the Budget Committee.

These shifts are part of a broader reorganization of parliamentary oversight structures for the upcoming session, reflecting strategic realignments by both the ruling party and the opposition.

Source: Nile Post