How power, loyalty, and the politics of staying ahead keeps Speaker Among with tight grip on Bukedea district

In the rural heart of Bukedea District, one name continues to dominate the political landscape like no other Anita Annet Among. The Speaker of Parliament, known for her commanding presence both inside the House and in her home district, has once again secured the National Resistance Movement (NRM) flag for the Woman MP seat unopposed.

Her only challenger, Hellen Akol Odeke, was recently disqualified by the NRM Electoral Commission over residency technicalities. The Commission ruled that although Akol owns land in the area, she does not actually reside in the village she claimed a violation of party rules.

But beyond the paperwork and party procedures, this development reflects something deeper: the iron grip Speaker Among holds over Bukedea’s political space and the unwavering loyalty she commands from the ruling party.

A Reign Untouched

For some, the news did not come as a surprise. “She’s done a lot for the district from roads to bursaries to hospital support,” says Moses Echeu, a local teacher who votes from Bukedea.

“People feel protected under her leadership. Even those who may disagree politically respect her strength.”

In political terms, this is not just another nomination; it’s a signal of consolidation. Speaker Among has faced critics nationally, especially in the highly polarized Parliament. Yet back home, she walks a different path: one paved with influence, visibility, and strategic grassroots engagement.

While some hailed the disqualification of her opponent as due process, others quietly whisper about the near-impossible task of contesting such a political heavyweight within her own party.

“Politics in Bukedea isn’t just about popularity it’s about access, networks, and timing,” says a political analyst familiar with eastern Uganda. “Anita Among has mastered the art of staying ahead both in Kampala and back home.”

That staying ahead, it seems, also includes knowing when and how to neutralize threats before they become political problems.

What Her Unopposed Nomination Means 

Unopposed nominations are not uncommon in NRM strongholds, especially for incumbents with senior positions. But in Among’s case, the symbolic weight is heavy. It sends a message: that even at the peak of national power, she hasn’t lost her roots and the party knows it.

The challenge, going into 2026, may not be about winning votes but maintaining political trust in a region where loyalty is rewarded, but expectations keep growing.

For now, Speaker Anita Among stands as both lawmaker and queenmaker  a rare political figure whose dominance stretches from the floor of Parliament to the dusty villages of Bukedea.

And as the drums of the 2026 general election begin to beat louder, one thing is clear: in Bukedea, she’s not just running. She’s reigning.