Bukedea County MP David Beecham Okwere has said former Speaker of Parliament Anita Annet Among is not critically ill, despite reports circulating about her health.
However, the MP confirmed that Among had signs of swollen feet when he recently visited her at her Nakasero residence.
Okwere said he last met Among last Tuesday. He said she could move within her compound, although her movements appeared limited to the residence.
“She’s in her residence. She moves normally within her compound, although limited to her compound,” Okwere said.
The MP declined to confirm whether the swelling was linked to blood clotting, as alleged by former Kampala Central MP Mohammed Nsereko.
MP Avoids House Arrest Claim
Okwere also avoided describing Among’s situation as house arrest.
He said the government had not issued an official explanation about the security deployment at her residence.
“Not until we see that government has given an official statement can we know whether she’s under house arrest or something of that nature,” he said.
According to Okwere, Among’s health concerns began during the election campaign period.
He said she had travelled across the country while mobilising support for President Yoweri Museveni and National Resistance Movement candidates.
“That is when she began developing the issue of the legs getting swollen. It was a very tedious exercise. She was moving around the whole country campaigning,” he said.
The legislator suggested that Among may have delayed seeking comprehensive treatment because of the campaign schedule and preparations for the Speakership race.
“She probably thought she would seek proper medical treatment after the elections, but then she had to continue preparing for the Speakership race,” he said.
Health Claims Remain Unverified
Okwere said stress linked to Among’s current circumstances could have worsened her condition.
“She has pressure. There is stress and overthinking. Those things can add to a person’s health challenges,” he said.
While confirming that Among’s legs remain swollen, Okwere said he could not describe her condition as severe illness.
“For us ordinary people, it may not be easy to term it as a sickness. But when somebody is under restrictions and unable to live normally, that itself can affect their wellbeing,” he said.
The MP also disputed claims that Among is completely cut off from visitors.
He said he attended a prayer session with her last week, alongside a Catholic priest from Bukedea and other leaders.
“There was a Catholic father who came for prayers. We prayed together and even shared a meal,” he said.
However, Okwere said he could not confirm whether Among’s personal doctors had been allowed access to her residence.
Nsereko and Alaso Raise Concern
Okwere’s comments come days after former Kampala Central MP Mohammed Nsereko claimed that Among had swollen legs caused by a blood clot.
Nsereko said he had recently seen the former Speaker and appealed to the government to allow her access to specialised treatment.
Alice Alaso, the Acting National Coordinator of the Alliance for National Transformation and former Serere District Woman MP, also said Among had been facing health challenges.
“Even before her forced house arrest, Among has been having some health issues,” Alaso told this publication.
Alaso said the last information she received indicated that Among had been taken to hospital.
However, she declined to name the facility or provide details about Among’s current condition.
Teso Leaders Ask for Transparency
Leaders from the Teso Sub-region have also called for clearer information about Among’s wellbeing.
Speaking to journalists at Parliament on Tuesday, Kumi Municipality MP Silas Aogon said MPs from the region had been unable to independently verify reports about her health.
Efforts to obtain a comment from Among’s husband, Moses Magogo, were unsuccessful by publication time.
Magogo, the Budiope East MP and FUFA president, could not be reached by telephone.
His aide, Waiswa, said he had seen reports circulating online but had no verified information about the former Speaker’s health.
By publication time, the government had not issued an official statement on Among’s health, her security status or any restrictions on her movements.
Among served as Speaker of Parliament from 2022 until 2026. She remains the Second National Vice Chairperson (Female) of the ruling NRM.
Her prolonged absence from public life has fuelled speculation about her health and the circumstances under which she is currently living.