Former Speaker Anita Among Attends First Sitting of 12th Parliament

What the report says

Former Speaker Anita Annet Among appeared in the 12th Parliament for the first time on Tuesday, joining proceedings virtually through Zoom as lawmakers handled routine business and reconsidered two tax bills that had been sent back by President Yoweri Museveni with recommendations. The sitting was chaired by Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa.

According to Nile Post, Among, who now serves as Bukedea District Woman MP, logged into the plenary session remotely but did not speak. Her participation marked her first recorded involvement in the current Parliament since it began work, drawing attention because of earlier public discussion about her absence from House sittings.

The report notes the constitutional requirement for MPs to attend Parliament unless they have permission to be absent or can provide a satisfactory explanation. It also cites the rule under Article 83(1)(d) that can lead to loss of a seat after 15 unexplained absences. In the same sitting, Parliament completed debate and passed the two tax bills after Tayebwa guided members through the reconsideration process.

More broadly, the session reflected Parliament’s ongoing work on pending legislation and committee reports before recess. Among previously served as Speaker of the 11th Parliament, and her return to the chamber, even virtually, is likely to remain of public interest given the scrutiny around attendance and parliamentary discipline.