By Jamillah Oluka.
A story of resilience, courage and determination that transformed a young girl from hardship into one of Uganda’s most powerful women leaders.
As the world celebrates the Month of Women, it is a time to honor women whose life journeys reflect courage, resilience, and the power to transform adversity into purpose. Among such remarkable women in Uganda is Anita Annet Among, the Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda, whose rise from humble beginnings to one of the most powerful offices in the country stands as a profound testament to determination and perseverance.
Born on 23rd November 1973 into a large family of more than 49 children, Among grew up in circumstances where opportunities for girls were extremely limited. In many communities at the time, daughters were often viewed primarily through the lens of marriage and bride price, while education for girls was rarely prioritized.
Yet even in those challenging circumstances, Anita Among carried within her a quiet but resolute determination to pursue education and shape a different destiny for herself. That determination would later become the foundation of a leadership journey that continues to inspire women and girls across Uganda.
In one of her parliamentary addresses during a campaign advocating for girl-child education in the 11th Parliament, she recalled how her father had intended for her to marry at an early age.
“My father wanted me to get married, so I decided to run away from home to become a house girl in people’s homes,” she said.
Running away from home did not bring immediate relief. Instead, it marked the beginning of an even more difficult chapter. Life as a house girl exposed her to hardship and vulnerability. Hoping to find safety, she later sought refuge at her sister’s home, but that environment also proved unsafe.
“My sister’s husband wanted to rape me, so I ran away from there too,” she once narrated.
For many young girls, such painful experiences could easily have crushed hope. But for Anita Among, they strengthened her resolve to pursue education at any cost.
Determined to stay in school, she turned to brewing local beer known as Ajon in the Teso sub-region to raise money for school fees. Through this work, alongside working as a house girl, she managed to sustain her education until she completed Senior Six.
Along the way, she made a bold promise to her father a promise that at the time may have seemed impossible.
“I told my father that I would become the most educated child in our home, and I am,” she once said.
Her father initially rejected her decision to pursue education independently and only accepted her later when she began working at Centenary Bank.
During her Senior Six vacation, Among worked as a cleaner at the bank before eventually rising to become a cashier. Yet even during this period, life continued to test her resilience.
She faced another attempted sexual assault, which she fought off in self-defense before leaving that environment altogether.
Like many young girls navigating difficult circumstances, she also faced peer pressure that led to an early relationship and eventually becoming a teenage mother. Today, her firstborn child is often mistaken for her younger brother a quiet reflection of a chapter she overcame with courage and determination.
Despite these setbacks, Among never abandoned her promise to herself and her family. She remained determined to become the most educated in her home.
She later earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from Makerere University in 2005 and a Master of Business Administration from the same institution in 2008. In 2018, she obtained a Bachelor of Laws from Kampala International University and also qualified as a Chartered Certified Accountant.
Her academic achievements not only fulfilled a personal promise but also symbolized the power of education in transforming the life of a determined young girl into that of a national leader.
Entering Politics
Among’s political journey would later reflect the same persistence that had defined her life from childhood.
She first contested for the Bukedea District Woman Member of Parliament seat in 2007 and again in 2011 but lost both elections. For many politicians, such defeats could have ended a career before it even began. But Anita Among refused to give up.
In 2016, she finally won the seat as an independent candidate after leaving the Forum for Democratic Change. Her determination and growing influence would later see her join the National Resistance Movement in 2020, after which she was elected unopposed in 2021.
During the 10th Parliament, she served as Vice Chairperson of the Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE). On March 25, 2022, she was elected Speaker of Parliament following the death of Jacob Oulanyah.
Her leadership at Parliament has been marked by an active legislative agenda. According to the Director of Communications at Parliament, Chris Obore, the 11th Parliament has passed an unprecedented number of laws.
“From 2021 when Anita joined Parliament and took over as Deputy Speaker, there are 166 laws passed in 450 House sittings, and this information can be found on the Parliament website,” Obore noted.
Standing Firm in Leadership
Leadership often comes with scrutiny, especially for women in positions of power. Among has at times been at the center of international debate, particularly in relation to the passage of the Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023, which she supported, saying it reflected the cultural values of many Ugandans.
Following its enactment, the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office imposed personal sanctions on her on April 30, 2024, including an asset freeze and travel ban. On May 30, 2024, the United States Department of State also sanctioned her and several other Ugandan officials over allegations of corruption.
Despite criticism and international pressure, Anita Among has remained focused on leading parliamentary business and advancing legislation demonstrating the resilience often required of women who occupy positions of national leadership.
Transforming Bukedea
Beyond national politics, Anita Among’s influence is perhaps felt most profoundly in her home district of Bukedea District.
Over the years, she has spearheaded major development initiatives in the district, including the construction of a modern school, a teaching hospital, and a sports stadium projects aimed at expanding opportunities for young people and improving access to essential services.
She has also supported many women who once faced circumstances similar to hers, helping them find ways to uplift their families and rebuild their lives.
Because of this deep connection with her community, many residents in Bukedea affectionately call her “TOTO,” a word in the Ateso language that means mother.
Her popularity in the district reflects that bond. She has been returned to Parliament unopposed twice an extraordinary endorsement in Uganda’s competitive political environment.
For many young girls in Bukedea and beyond, Anita Among has become more than a political leader. She has become a living symbol of possibility.
Rising Higher in Leadership
In 2025, Among contested for the position of Second National Vice Chairperson (Female) of the National Resistance Movement, challenging the incumbent Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga. She won the position by a wide margin, further strengthening her influence within the party.
More recently, the race for the Speakership of the 12th Parliament has dominated national headlines. Amid criticism from some political figures, including Norbert Mao, who once described her as an “accidental Speaker,” Among remained resolute.
During a breakfast meeting with newly elected female Members of Parliament, she responded confidently to the criticism.
“Some colleagues say I am an accidental Speaker, but I was voted by 412 MPs,” she said.
She also faced internal competition from figures such as Persis Namuganza, Lydia Wanyoto and Ilois Odria before eventually receiving public endorsement from President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to contest alongside Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa.
A Story that Inspires Women
From brewing ajon to working as a house girl, from surviving attempted sexual assaults to almost being married off at the age of 14, Anita Among’s life story reflects extraordinary resilience.
Today, she stands as a national leader, a wife to Hassim Moses Magogo, and a mother of twins earning her the cultural title Nalongo. She has also helped lift her family out of poverty and continues to inspire many across Uganda.
Her story reminds us that if she had succumbed to the hardships she faced as a young girl, the many lives she has touched today might have remained unchanged.
As the world celebrates women this month, Anita Annet Among’s journey stands as a powerful reminder that determination, courage, and hard work can transform even the most difficult beginnings into remarkable achievements.
For many in Teso, she remains what the Iteso proudly call “Aicerit na Okide” a woman of strength and purpose.
