“State agencies have a duty to ensure that anyone under investigation receives appropriate medical treatment when required,” the lawyer said.
Fresh concerns have emerged over the health of former Speaker of Parliament, Anita Annet Among, with reports indicating that she is battling a serious medical condition that may require urgent specialist treatment outside Uganda.
The discussion intensified after former Kampala Central Member of Parliament Muhammad Nsereko shared a video on X in which he revealed that he had visited Among at her residence. According to Nsereko, the Bukedea District Woman Representative appeared physically weak and was suffering from significant swelling in her legs.
In the video, Nsereko urged authorities to put political differences aside and ensure that Among receives the medical care she needs.
“This has gone beyond politics. What she needs now is urgent medical attention and prayers,” he said, expressing concern that many leaders had remained silent despite her apparent condition.
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Sources close to the former Speaker have also acknowledged that she requires immediate medical intervention, although details regarding her diagnosis and any planned referral abroad remain undisclosed. Neither Parliament nor government officials have publicly confirmed whether arrangements for overseas treatment are being considered.
Among has largely stayed out of the public eye since being sworn in as Bukedea District Woman Representative following the 2026 general elections. Shortly after taking office, security agencies launched coordinated searches at her properties in Nakasero, Kigo, and Bukedea as part of investigations into allegations including corruption, illicit enrichment, abuse of office, and money laundering.
During those operations, authorities reportedly seized several assets, among them a luxury Rolls-Royce vehicle. The investigations followed her decision to withdraw from the race for Speaker of Parliament after consultations within the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM). Throughout the process, Among has maintained her innocence and denied any wrongdoing.
To date, investigators have not publicly announced any criminal charges against her.
Medical professionals caution against drawing conclusions about the cause of her reported condition. Dr. Davis Mugambe, a Kampala-based physician, noted that severe swelling of the legs, medically known as oedema, can result from numerous underlying health problems.
“Conditions such as deep vein thrombosis are one possibility, but swelling can also be linked to heart, kidney, liver, or lymphatic disorders, among other causes,” he explained. “Proper diagnosis requires clinical examinations, imaging, and laboratory tests.”
He further warned that untreated vascular complications can become life-threatening and observed that some advanced medical procedures still require referrals to facilities outside Uganda.
The situation has also reignited debate about the rights of individuals under investigation. Legal experts point to constitutional protections guaranteeing the right to life and fundamental freedoms, arguing that these rights remain applicable regardless of a person’s legal status.
One human rights lawyer, who declined to be named, stressed that ongoing investigations should never prevent access to essential healthcare.
“State agencies have a duty to ensure that anyone under investigation receives appropriate medical treatment when required,” the lawyer said.
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At the same time, Uganda’s anti-corruption and accountability laws empower investigators to examine allegations against public officials where sufficient grounds exist. Legal analysts note that, as a former Speaker, Among does not enjoy the procedural protections associated with the office and may be investigated like any other elected representative.
Public reaction to reports about her health has been mixed. While some citizens have called for compassion and urgent intervention, others insist that health concerns should not overshadow the need for accountability and transparency regarding the ongoing investigations.
Parliament has yet to issue an official statement on Among’s condition. Several legislators contacted for comment said they had not recently seen her, while others declined to speak because inquiries remain active.
Security sources have indicated that medical referrals can be facilitated through established legal procedures if necessary, provided that such arrangements do not interfere with ongoing investigations. Previous cases involving public officials have seen overseas treatment approved through government channels, court-authorised travel, or supervised medical evacuation processes.
However, critical questions remain unanswered, including the exact nature of Among’s illness, whether she has been formally referred for treatment abroad, and the current status of the investigations against her.
For many observers, the matter highlights the delicate balance between ensuring accountability and safeguarding the health and dignity of individuals facing legal scrutiny. As debate continues, attention is focused on whether authorities will move swiftly to address her medical needs while maintaining transparency regarding the ongoing probe.