Lawyers, Activists Petition IGG Over Anita Among’s Wealth Declarations

A group of lawyers and activists has petitioned the Inspector General of Government (IGG), seeking a comprehensive investigation into outgoing Speaker of Parliament Anita Annet Among over an alleged breach of the Leadership Code Act.

The petition, which was received by the Inspectorate’s Central Registry on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, accuses Among of allegedly failing to declare or under-declaring her wealth, assets, and liabilities as required under Ugandan law.

The move comes amid growing public scrutiny following Among’s recent display of a Rolls-Royce Cullinan luxury SUV reportedly valued at Shs3.4 billion.

The petitioners also asked the IGG, led by Justice Naluzze Aisha Batala, to provide them with a copy of Among’s declaration, “if any,” to verify compliance with the law.

The petition was signed by Andrew Karamagi, Mercy Munduru, Kato Tumusiime, Gift Grace Achilla, Praise Aloikin, and Godwin Toko.

“We accordingly lodge this complaint regarding failure to declare and/or under-declaration of wealth by Among, and hereby request you, as provided for by Section 22 of the Leadership Code Act, to furnish us with her declaration, if any,” the petition reads.

Kato Tumusiime, one of the petitioners, said they volunteered to file the complaint because they believe Among either failed to declare or under-declared her assets.

The petitioners cited Section 21 of the Leadership Code Act, Chapter 33, as the basis for their complaint. They noted that breaches of the law attract severe administrative penalties, including demotion or dismissal from office and forfeiture of undeclared or under-declared assets to the state.

Gift Grace Achilla, another petitioner, said the move should not be viewed as a witch-hunt or political attack, but rather part of an ongoing fight against corruption in the country.

While Among has previously dismissed allegations of financial impropriety as politically motivated “witch-hunts,” the petitioners said they are ready to support the IGG in carrying out timely investigations to ensure public offices are run with “integrity, professionalism, and teamwork.”

Under the Leadership Code Act, public officials are required to declare their assets and liabilities every two years, with declarations submitted in March. The Inspectorate of Government says the latest declaration cycle was completed in 2025.

IG spokesperson Muniira Ali said that, to the best of her knowledge, Among filed her declaration and that the records are on file with the Inspectorate.

On requests by lawyers to access declarations, Muniira said the IGG may release information on assets, income, and liabilities to third parties under specific legal conditions.

She added that the approval depends on the discretion of the IGG and the reasons provided by the applicant.

Muniira further explained that the IGG can act on information submitted by members of the public regarding undeclared assets or liabilities. The Inspectorate then compares the claims with official declarations, and investigations are initiated if discrepancies are identified.

The law provides penalties for false or incomplete declarations, including forfeiture of concealed assets.

Currently, Uganda’s legal framework limits public access to asset declarations by public officials, mainly to protect privacy and security while allowing the Inspectorate of Government to verify the information.

In 2024, the Constitutional Court of Uganda struck down key provisions of the Leadership Code Act that restricted access to such declarations.

The court ruled that Sections 11(2) and 11(4), which limited access to enforcement-related cases and barred further disclosure, were inconsistent with constitutional rights under Articles 21(1), 29(1), 41(1), and 43(c).

The ruling expanded access to information by upholding provisions under Sections 7(2) and 7(9), allowing any person acting in good faith to apply for access to declared information upon payment of the prescribed fee.