Luxury, Power and Politics: How Anita Among’s Rolls Royce Could Cost Her the Speakership

Pressure is mounting on Anita Among after revelations that a luxury 2025 Rolls‑Royce Cullinan valued at approximately Shs3.4 billion was recently imported into Uganda ahead of President Yoweri Museveni’s swearing-in ceremony, sparking fresh public debate over extravagance, corruption, and the widening gap between political leaders and ordinary citizens.

The Speaker, who is already facing growing political pressure ahead of the race for Speaker of the 12th Parliament, is now finding herself at the center of intense criticism from both the public and influential political figures. The controversy has complicated her efforts to consolidate support for her speakership bid against Norbert Mao, with critics arguing that the timing of such a display of wealth could not have been worse.

The debate escalated dramatically after Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, publicly weighed in on the matter through a strongly worded social media post that quickly went viral across Ugandan online platforms.

“Our job is to SERVE Ugandans not ourselves! I cannot support corruption! I risked my life to make this country peaceful. Now that it is, it will not be taken by thieves. Never!” Muhoozi Kainerugaba (@mkainerugaba) posted on May 10, 2026.

The remarks by the First Son immediately ignited widespread national discussion, with many Ugandans interpreting the statement as a direct attack on extravagant spending among senior government officials. Political observers say the comments exposed deepening frustrations within sections of the ruling establishment over public perceptions of corruption and misuse of taxpayers’ money.

In his statement, Muhoozi expressed concern about what he described as excessive spending by leaders at a time when millions of Ugandans continue to struggle with poverty, unemployment, poor healthcare services, and lack of access to clean water and electricity. His comments resonated strongly online, where many citizens questioned the priorities of political leaders amid growing economic hardships.

Muhoozi further stated that despite being President Museveni’s son for 52 years, he has never personally sat in a Rolls-Royce and does not believe his father has ever used one either. The statement appeared aimed at indirectly questioning how certain public officials acquire and maintain lifestyles associated with extreme luxury.

The CDF also revealed that his political pressure group, the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), believes Parliament’s budget should be significantly reduced so that more government resources can be redirected toward improving the welfare of vulnerable Ugandans living in impoverished communities.

“The First Son also revealed that his political movement, Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), believes Parliament’s budget should be reduced so that more money can instead be directed towards improving the lives of struggling Ugandans living in poor communities without clean water, electricity, or decent housing.”

According to reports circulating within political circles, the luxury Rolls-Royce was allegedly received by Anita Among as a birthday gift from a friend whose identity has not yet been publicly disclosed. The vehicle was reportedly airlifted directly from the United Kingdom to Entebbe International Airport, with taxes said to amount to approximately Shs1.3 billion already paid.

The development has intensified scrutiny surrounding the Speaker’s growing public image and visible displays of wealth. Critics argue that previous holders of the same office maintained relatively modest public lifestyles despite occupying powerful positions for many years.

Many political observers now say Anita Among risks damaging her political standing by openly displaying expensive cars, lavish homes, and designer fashion at a time when public frustration over inequality is increasing. Some argue that such displays have exposed her to avoidable criticism at a politically sensitive moment.

Former Vice President Edward Ssekandi, who served as Speaker for a decade, and former Speaker Rebecca Kadaga, who spent years both as Deputy Speaker and Speaker, are being cited by critics as examples of leaders who rarely publicly flaunted wealth despite long stays in high office.

Prominent Ugandan cartoonist and lecturer Dr. Jimmy Spire Ssentongo also joined the growing criticism, openly questioning whether the Speaker fully understands the political implications of such public displays of luxury.

Ssentongo argued that some of Uganda’s most powerful figures, including members of the First Family, have historically avoided publicly exhibiting their wealth despite widespread assumptions about their influence and resources.

“Some things are about basic common sense, not even political wisdom. Your bosses, who must be having a lot more, hardly display their wealth. Only those who have visited their homes know how their houses look like. It is 40 years now, but many of us have no idea how Museveni’s house looks like. Even when you search the internet, you hardly find one clear picture. They only show their local cows as their wealth. They move around in one colour of shirt all year, or only in military uniforms – not conspicuous designer clothes. We don’t know any private car of theirs. And you come in splashing posh cars, buildings, expensive designer clothes … Do you even think?” posted Spire.

The controversy now threatens to become a major political talking point ahead of the next parliamentary leadership contest, with analysts warning that public anger over corruption and luxury spending by political elites could increasingly shape political debates within the ruling establishment itself.

As criticism continues to grow both online and offline, Anita Among now faces the difficult challenge of defending her public image while simultaneously fighting to maintain support within Uganda’s highly competitive political landscape.