Speaker Among under fresh scrutiny as leaked SACCO documents expose alleged billions siphoned through cronies

Speaker of Parliament Anita Among is facing renewed scrutiny after leaked financial documents allegedly linked to the Uganda Parliamentary SACCO exposed what critics describe as a sophisticated network used to channel billions of shillings through close associates, political mobilisers and loyalists under questionable outreach and corporate social responsibility activities.

The documents, which have gone viral on social media, include payment vouchers, accountability schedules and transaction summaries dating between 2023 and 2025.

One of the summaries claims that on July 21, 2025 alone, a total of Shs4.29 billion was withdrawn through the Uganda Parliamentary SACCO in a single day.

According to the documents, the money was allegedly advanced for activities linked to the Speaker’s office, including “community mobilisation,” “Speaker’s outreach programmes,” “corporate social responsibility,” “flagship empowerment projects,” stakeholder engagements and political mobilisation meetings across different regions of Uganda.

The leaked records repeatedly mention names including Okwi Emmanuel Emuron, Obore Chris Atiko, Kaaya Rajab Semaluulu, Adilo Daniel and Ronny Ismail, who allegedly received huge sums of money over several months.

Some of the payments listed in the documents include:

* Shs500 million allegedly advanced for the Speaker’s outreach programmes in Northern and Eastern Uganda.

* Shs400 million allegedly advanced to “offset planned activities of the commission.”

* Shs220 million and Shs160 million reportedly advanced to clear outstanding CSR pledges.

* Shs750 million allegedly advanced for community empowerment workshops in Bukedea.

* Shs1.15 billion reportedly advanced for consultations and mobilisation activities in Acholi Sub-region.

* Shs680 million allegedly advanced for outreach activities in Eastern Uganda.

* Shs730 million reportedly advanced for corporate social responsibility activities in Lango Sub-region.

* Shs1.625 billion allegedly advanced to hold zonal meetings for regional women local councils.

* Shs2.276 billion reportedly advanced for preparation meetings linked to the CPA conference.

* Shs250 million allegedly advanced for engagement meetings with political and opinion leaders in Greater North.

Critics say the repeated payments to the same individuals point to a coordinated patronage structure allegedly used to move public funds through trusted loyalists under loosely defined activities whose outcomes are difficult to independently verify.

Political observers say the scandal has emerged at a particularly sensitive moment as Speaker Anita Among comes under increasing pressure ahead of the contest for the Speakership of the 12th Parliament.

Several aspiring candidates and critics within the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) have recently intensified attacks on Parliament over what they describe as rampant corruption, wasteful expenditure and abuse of taxpayers’ money.

Among the most vocal critics is Persis Namuganza, the State Minister for Housing and aspiring Speaker, who has repeatedly condemned alleged corruption in Parliament and called for sweeping reforms within the institution.

Namuganza recently accused parliamentary leaders of presiding over excessive spending scandals that have eroded public trust in Parliament and burdened taxpayers.

The controversy also comes shortly after President Yoweri Museveni reiterated his government’s “zero tolerance” policy against corruption during remarks ahead of his seventh inauguration.

Museveni warned public officials against misuse of government resources, saying corruption continues to undermine service delivery and public confidence in state institutions.

Opposition activists and anti-corruption campaigners are now demanding investigations by the Inspectorate of Government, Auditor General and other accountability agencies into the Parliamentary SACCO transactions and related expenditures.

By press time, Parliament and Speaker Anita Among had not officially commented on the authenticity of the leaked documents.

However, the revelations continue to dominate public debate online, with many Ugandans questioning how billions of shillings could allegedly be spent on mobilisation and outreach activities while hospitals, schools and roads across the country continue to struggle with underfunding.