Members of Parliament from Uganda’s Teso sub-region have appealed to President Yoweri Museveni to grant former Speaker Anita Annet Among permission to travel abroad for specialised medical treatment, citing concerns about her worsening health.
The legislators said they visited Ms Among at her residence in Nakasero, where she is under house arrest, and found her in poor physical and emotional condition. They said she informed them that she is suffering from a blood clot in one leg, diabetes and high blood pressure, conditions they believe require treatment outside Uganda.
Click here to join our WhatsApp Group and Receive Daily News
Ms Among, the Bukedea District Woman MP, has remained largely out of public view since security agencies conducted searches at her properties in Nakasero, Kigo, Ntinda and Bukedea. During the operations, several of her luxury vehicles were reportedly seized as part of investigations into allegations of illicit wealth accumulation.
Addressing journalists at Parliament, Kumi Municipality MP Silas Aogon called on the government to show compassion by allowing Ms Among to access specialised healthcare.
“These are serious health challenges that we want government to look upon with mercy because she needs to come out and receive proper medical attention from a place that befits a person who has served this country with diligence,” Mr Aogon said.
He also suggested that the former Speaker had been abandoned by people who were once close to her.
“Where you had people who were with you 24/7, and they turned against you and became the very people championing negative attacks against you, that is what I would call betrayal,” he added.
Kasilo MP Peter Paul Emaju said the delegation was touched by the condition in which they found Ms Among, urging authorities to balance justice with compassion.
“While we fully appreciate the importance of accountability and the rule of law, we respectfully pray that compassion may accompany justice in considering her present circumstances,” Mr Emaju said.
Amuria MP Samuel Ediau also appealed for what he described as humane treatment of the former Speaker. He argued that regardless of the allegations she faces, she should be treated with dignity and called for the lifting of restrictions on her bank accounts.
Kaberamaido District Woman MP Jane Francis Amongin urged President Museveni to respond positively to the appeal from Teso leaders, saying Ms Among was going through emotional and psychological difficulties despite her record of public service.
“Father of this nation, whatever it is, there is an African saying that when your child defecates on himself/herself you don’t throw away the child with the faeces; you wash the child and pour the dirty water. Human beings are not bad, but it can be the act. Anita Annet Among is a very good person,” Ms Amongin said.
The government has not publicly responded to the legislators’ appeal.
Also Read: Amama Mbabazi’s Daughter Wanted Over Unpaid Shs 450m Loan
