Speaker Anita Among Promises Asuman Basalirwa A Fat Govt Job After Bugiri MP Race Defeat

At a warm and reflective evening gathering during Parliament’s annual Iftar dinner, the Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among, delivered a message that blended empathy, admiration, and unmistakable reassurance to Asuman Basalirwa, the outgoing Member of Parliament for Bugiri Municipality. The event, traditionally a moment of spiritual reflection and unity during Ramadan, unexpectedly evolved into a significant political moment as attention turned to Basalirwa’s recent electoral defeat in the 2026 general elections — a loss that brought his tenure in the 11th Parliament to an end.

Speaking before an audience of legislators, religious leaders, and invited guests on Saturday evening, Speaker Among made it clear that Basalirwa’s political story was far from finished. Though the voters of Bugiri Municipality had chosen a new representative, she hinted that his public service would not end with his departure from the August House. Her tone suggested that conversations about his next assignment were not speculative, but already underway at influential levels of government.

In her address, Among was generous in her praise. She commended Basalirwa not only as a legislator but as a leader within Uganda’s Muslim political community. As head of the opposition party Justice Forum (JEEMA) and Chairperson of the Parliamentary Muslim Caucus, Basalirwa had carved out a distinctive role in Parliament. The Speaker highlighted his efforts to sponsor Muslim MPs for Umrah pilgrimages, describing the initiative as both symbolic and spiritually meaningful. She also pointed to his backing of major legislative measures, including the Islamic Banking Act and the controversial Anti-Homosexuality Act — laws that ignited national debate and drew international scrutiny.

It was on the subject of the Anti-Homosexuality Act that Among made her most striking remarks. She suggested that Basalirwa’s unwavering support for the legislation may have come at a political cost, attracting formidable opponents who were determined to end his parliamentary career.

“When you hear about the homosexuality bill, no wonder my friend has been sacrificed. He’s the one who brought the law on homosexuality. And when he brought the law on homosexuality, he was fought until he lost,” she said.

Her words framed Basalirwa’s defeat not merely as an electoral outcome, but as the culmination of intense political resistance tied to his legislative agenda.

Yet even as she reflected on his loss, Among moved swiftly to reassure him — and the audience — that defeat at the ballot box did not equate to political exile. She emphasized that both she and the government were committed to ensuring that Basalirwa would continue contributing to national affairs, potentially in another influential capacity.

“In our father’s room, there are so many rooms. You will always have somewhere. And as your friends will never let you move alone. We’ll move with you wherever. Me and the deputy speaker will ensure that you have a place to be,” Speaker Among said.

The Iftar dinner itself, therefore, transcended its ceremonial purpose. It became a forum not only for breaking the fast, but also for affirming alliances and shaping the political future. During the same gathering, Basalirwa addressed fellow Muslim legislators and those preparing to serve in the 12th Parliament.

In his remarks, he urged incoming Muslim MPs to rally behind Speaker Among and Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa. He stressed that sustaining what he described as “the agenda of Islam” in national affairs would depend heavily on their unity and their votes in leadership decisions within Parliament.

Basalirwa’s loss in the 2026 general elections marked the end of a parliamentary journey that began with a dramatic by-election victory in 2018. Over the years, he established himself as a vocal and ideologically driven legislator, often championing faith-based initiatives and moral legislation. His approach won him admiration from supporters who valued his conviction, but it also attracted criticism from opponents who viewed his platform as polarizing.

In the 2026 race, the political tide in Bugiri Municipality shifted decisively. Basalirwa was unseated by John Francis Oketcho, whose persistence and grassroots campaigning gradually built momentum among voters. Oketcho’s victory followed several earlier political attempts and setbacks, but his sustained community engagement and development-centered message ultimately resonated with constituents. His campaign, which focused heavily on local infrastructure, youth empowerment, and service delivery, offered a practical contrast to Basalirwa’s more ideologically anchored agenda.

While Basalirwa’s chapter in the 11th Parliament has officially closed, the tone and substance of Speaker Among’s remarks strongly suggest that his influence within Uganda’s political landscape is unlikely to fade. If anything, the Iftar gathering served as both a farewell and a subtle unveiling of possibilities ahead — a reminder that in politics, electoral defeat does not always signal the end, but sometimes the beginning of a different path.