Controversial Uganda ex-speaker released from house arrest: army chief

Uganda's army chief announced Tuesday that investigations into the former speaker of the house had been dropped and she would be released, months after her house arrest over graft allegations captivated the country.

Anita Among was confined to her home in capital Kampala in May, after a corruption probe that saw her offices searched and her lavish car collection, which included a Rolls-Royce, confiscated.

At the time, her downfall was seen as part of the military's increasing hold on power in Uganda.

In a post on X, army boss Muhoozi Kainerugaba said that his father, President Yoweri Museveni, had "instructed me to release AAA from house arrest", referring to her initials.

"We shall not prosecute AAA. She made mistakes but Mzee has decided to forgive her," he added, using a traditional honorific to refer to Museveni.

On Tuesday morning, an AFP reporter said security personnel remained outside Among's house.

Uganda's anti-corruption body spokesperson Ali Munira told AFP that "we have never stated anywhere that we are investigating Rt. Hon. Anita Among".

An X post from the organisation's official account, dated May 19 and still online, said it had "commenced preliminary investigations".

Munira declined to comment when asked about the X post.

An official from the organisation, speaking on condition of anonymity, told AFP they were "no longer pursuing any case" against the ex-speaker.

Among took over as parliament speaker in March 2022, and was long considered untouchable as a member of Museveni's inner circle.

But she had faced allegations of corruption for years, leading to international sanctions by Britain and the United States.

The confiscation of her assets electrified the country where half the population lives on less than $3 a day.

Kainerugaba had led the calls into a crackdown on corruption, writing back in May that his people had "captured" the Rolls-Royce -- and proceeds from its sale would return to the state.

While Museveni has ruled for four decades, and won another term in January, many observers believe power in the country is shifting to his son.

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