By Eye Media Uganda | Kampala | August 5, 2026

Former Speaker of Parliament and Bukedea District Woman Representative Anita Among has made her first public appearance in 83 days after attending Tuesday’s plenary sitting of the 12th Parliament virtually via Zoom.

The session, chaired by Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa, marked Among’s first appearance since reports emerged that she had been under house arrest following a security operation at her Nakasero residence on May 16. Although she did not contribute to the day’s debate, her virtual attendance means she remains within the constitutional threshold required for Members of Parliament to retain their seats.

Under Article 83(1)(d) of the Constitution and the Parliamentary Rules of Procedure, an MP who misses 15 consecutive sittings without written permission from the Speaker risks losing their parliamentary seat. Before Tuesday’s sitting, the 12th Parliament had already held 12 sittings—including the election of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker, the State of the Nation Address, and committee appointments—all of which Among had missed.

Images and video from the sitting showed Among participating remotely from what appeared to be a private residence. The appearance comes as she remains the subject of ongoing investigations by joint security agencies and the Inspectorate of Government (IGG).

The investigations have also reportedly affected officials attached to the Office of the Speaker, including Leonard Okema, the Executive Secretary, and Stella Itute, an Office Supervisor in the Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms.

Parliament has defended the use of virtual attendance, with Acting Director of Communications and Public Affairs Grace Gidudu explaining that the House Rules permit Members to participate remotely through Zoom links circulated before sittings. She noted that virtual proceedings were formally incorporated into parliamentary business during the Ninth Parliament in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, following reforms introduced under then-Speaker Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga.

However, the development has also raised questions over compliance with Rule 250(4) of the Parliamentary Rules of Procedure, which states that participation outside the parliamentary chamber through a digital platform requires a proclamation or authorization from the Speaker.

It remains unclear whether Among obtained the Speaker’s formal approval before joining Tuesday’s sitting virtually. When contacted, Clerk to Parliament Adolf Mwesige declined to comment on whether such authorization had been granted.

The virtual appearance has reignited public debate over the application of parliamentary rules governing absenteeism and remote participation, even as investigations involving the former Speaker continue.