Da Dona
JF-Expert Member
- Dec 16, 2025
- 335
- 309
Away from the political storms that have recently dominated headlines, former Speaker of Parliament Anita Annet Among has, over the years, made several contributions to education, healthcare, sports, religion, entertainment and community development, with some of the donations drawn from Parliament’s donations budget and others from her personal resources. The Office of the Speaker is allocated an estimated Shs2.4 billion annually for donations and community support activities. During her tenure, Ms Among used part of the budget to support various sectors where need arose.
📸: Ms Anita Among (centre) and State Minister for Animal Husbandry Bright Rwamirama bring offertory gifts during the official opening of St Mary's Catholic Church, Kitooma in Isingiro District, on March 7, 2026. PHOTO/ PARLIAMENT
Last month, Parliament mourned the death of Helen Nakimuli. During funeral arrangements, Among comforted the grieving family, and pledged to educate Nakimuli’s daughter up to Senior Four at Bukedea Comprehensive School. The former Speaker clarified that the sponsorship would come from her personal resources and not from Parliament funds. The gesture reminded many legislators of a similar pledge she made following the death of former Kawempe North MP Muhammad Ssegirinya when she publicly offered to educate one of his children.
In education, Ms Among established and expanded Bukedea Comprehensive School, which has provided scholarships to disadvantaged learners at secondary, university and vocational levels. Through the Anita Foundation, she also facilitated the construction of classrooms at Kolir Comprehensive Secondary School and extended solar power to several primary schools to improve learning conditions in rural communities.
In healthcare, Ms Among emerged as one of the notable contributors to medical initiatives in Uganda. In 2024, when St Francis Hospital Nsambya launched a fundraising campaign for the construction of a specialised cancer unit, Ms Among donated Shs1 billion towards the project.
Shortly after assuming office as Speaker in 2022, Ms Among also donated medical equipment worth Shs600 million to Bukedea Health Centre IV, a contribution residents described as a major boost to healthcare delivery in the district. In Buyende District, she later contributed Shs50 million towards the construction of a maternity ward at Maliya Foundation Health Care Centre in Igwaya Trading Centre, helping to improve maternal healthcare services in the area.
Her support also stretched into sports and youth empowerment. Ahead of the Uganda Cranes’ World Cup qualifying matches against Botswana and Algeria in 2024, Ms Among donated Shs50 million and an additional $20,000 to motivate players ahead of the crucial fixtures. The money was handed over during a visit to the team’s training camp at Mandela National Stadium.
Last month, Ms Among again attracted public attention after donating Shs100 million and sports kits worth another Shs100 million towards the birthday run organised for Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba under the Patriotic League of Uganda to support vulnerable children and community programmes.
In religion and community development, the former Speaker contributed Shs50 million towards the construction of St Kizito Catholic Parish in Tororo District in September 2022 and also supported several church fundraising drives across the country. She further donated Shs50 million to programmes championed by Papa Emorimor III aimed at promoting education and community empowerment in Teso sub-region.
Ms Among additionally contributed Shs50 million on behalf of Parliament toward the Kabaka Birthday Run in support of efforts to end HIV/AIDS by 2030. In Katakwi District, she donated Shs110 million to Ngariam County Women SACCO to support women’s economic empowerment initiatives.
Beyond politics and public institutions, Ms Among also became influential within Uganda’s entertainment industry, where several musicians publicly acknowledged her financial and moral support. Over the years, she hosted, funded and facilitated artists at political and social events, while also supporting music concerts, welfare drives and fundraising initiatives involving musicians.
Sources within the entertainment industry say Ms Among maintained close ties with artists such as Gravity Omutujju, Jose Chameleone, Eddy Kenzo and other musicians affiliated to the Uganda National Musicians Federation, an umbrella body that brought together several top artists under government-backed mobilisation structures.
Her involvement in artists’ welfare reportedly ranged from direct financial contributions and performance facilitation to support during concerts, burial arrangements and mobilisation campaigns. Industry players often viewed her as one of the political figures accessible to musicians seeking state and institutional backing during concerts, charity events and welfare crises.
Supporters argue that Ms Among’s contributions transformed livelihoods and strengthened social services in underserved communities, helping explain why she remained politically dominant in Bukedea, where she twice returned to Parliament unopposed. Critics, however, maintain that charitable acts should not replace accountability in public office, insisting that public leaders must still answer questions regarding their conduct and management of public resources.
Source: Daily Monitor UG.
In education, Ms Among established and expanded Bukedea Comprehensive School, which has provided scholarships to disadvantaged learners at secondary, university and vocational levels. Through the Anita Foundation, she also facilitated the construction of classrooms at Kolir Comprehensive Secondary School and extended solar power to several primary schools to improve learning conditions in rural communities.
In healthcare, Ms Among emerged as one of the notable contributors to medical initiatives in Uganda. In 2024, when St Francis Hospital Nsambya launched a fundraising campaign for the construction of a specialised cancer unit, Ms Among donated Shs1 billion towards the project.
Shortly after assuming office as Speaker in 2022, Ms Among also donated medical equipment worth Shs600 million to Bukedea Health Centre IV, a contribution residents described as a major boost to healthcare delivery in the district. In Buyende District, she later contributed Shs50 million towards the construction of a maternity ward at Maliya Foundation Health Care Centre in Igwaya Trading Centre, helping to improve maternal healthcare services in the area.
Her support also stretched into sports and youth empowerment. Ahead of the Uganda Cranes’ World Cup qualifying matches against Botswana and Algeria in 2024, Ms Among donated Shs50 million and an additional $20,000 to motivate players ahead of the crucial fixtures. The money was handed over during a visit to the team’s training camp at Mandela National Stadium.
Last month, Ms Among again attracted public attention after donating Shs100 million and sports kits worth another Shs100 million towards the birthday run organised for Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba under the Patriotic League of Uganda to support vulnerable children and community programmes.
In religion and community development, the former Speaker contributed Shs50 million towards the construction of St Kizito Catholic Parish in Tororo District in September 2022 and also supported several church fundraising drives across the country. She further donated Shs50 million to programmes championed by Papa Emorimor III aimed at promoting education and community empowerment in Teso sub-region.
Ms Among additionally contributed Shs50 million on behalf of Parliament toward the Kabaka Birthday Run in support of efforts to end HIV/AIDS by 2030. In Katakwi District, she donated Shs110 million to Ngariam County Women SACCO to support women’s economic empowerment initiatives.
Beyond politics and public institutions, Ms Among also became influential within Uganda’s entertainment industry, where several musicians publicly acknowledged her financial and moral support. Over the years, she hosted, funded and facilitated artists at political and social events, while also supporting music concerts, welfare drives and fundraising initiatives involving musicians.
Sources within the entertainment industry say Ms Among maintained close ties with artists such as Gravity Omutujju, Jose Chameleone, Eddy Kenzo and other musicians affiliated to the Uganda National Musicians Federation, an umbrella body that brought together several top artists under government-backed mobilisation structures.
Her involvement in artists’ welfare reportedly ranged from direct financial contributions and performance facilitation to support during concerts, burial arrangements and mobilisation campaigns. Industry players often viewed her as one of the political figures accessible to musicians seeking state and institutional backing during concerts, charity events and welfare crises.
Supporters argue that Ms Among’s contributions transformed livelihoods and strengthened social services in underserved communities, helping explain why she remained politically dominant in Bukedea, where she twice returned to Parliament unopposed. Critics, however, maintain that charitable acts should not replace accountability in public office, insisting that public leaders must still answer questions regarding their conduct and management of public resources.
Source: Daily Monitor UG.
