Reports surrounding the alleged acquisition of a luxury Rolls Royce Cullinan 2025 model by Anita Among have once again ignited public debate in Uganda over wealth, taxation and accountability among top government officials. The vehicle, reportedly worth about £440,000 (around Shs 2.2 billion), has placed the Speaker at the centre of renewed scrutiny.
According to circulating reports, the high-end vehicle is said to have been airlifted from the United Kingdom and delivered to Uganda in April 2026. It is alleged to have been imported through a UK-based company previously linked to parliamentary vehicle procurement, raising further public interest in the transaction.
When additional costs such as shipping, clearance fees and taxes are included, the total cost of the vehicle is estimated to rise to between Shs 3.5 billion and Shs 4 billion. Reports also claim that a tax bill of about Shs 1.2 billion was required for clearance.
It is further alleged that Anita Among initially resisted paying the full tax amount at once, before later agreeing to settle it in instalments after discussions with tax authorities. These claims have not been independently verified but have circulated widely in the public domain.
Some reports also suggest that the Speaker told Uganda Revenue Authority officials that the vehicle was a birthday gift, despite questions arising about the timing and nature of the declaration. This has fueled further debate on transparency and asset declaration among public officials.
The alleged acquisition has triggered strong reactions from sections of the public, with critics questioning how such wealth is accumulated in a country where many citizens continue to struggle with poor healthcare services, unemployment and rising living costs.
Opposition figures and political commentators have also weighed in, arguing that public leaders should exercise restraint when it comes to displaying luxury assets, especially in a developing country facing economic challenges.
Supporters of the Speaker, however, have defended her, insisting that she is a successful businesswoman with legitimate income sources, including private investments in education and media enterprises.
They argue that wealth accumulation is not illegal when done through lawful means and point out that public officials are often unfairly targeted for political reasons when they display signs of financial success.
This renewed attention also brings back earlier political moments when President Yoweri Museveni himself reportedly questioned the source of Speaker Among’s wealth during public engagements.
One such moment dates back to 2024, during the launch of Bukedea Teaching Hospital, where Museveni attended as chief guest and openly asked how the Speaker managed to finance such a large project.
During the event, Museveni reportedly raised concerns about funding and sought clarity on how the multi-billion facility had been constructed, prompting the Speaker to explain her financial journey.
According to accounts from that occasion, Anita Among responded by stating that she had used proceeds from her school business to finance the hospital, explaining that income from education services was reinvested into healthcare infrastructure.
Museveni later publicly praised her planning abilities, saying she had demonstrated how private earnings could be used to support development projects and create employment opportunities.
However, the issue of wealth has continued to follow the Speaker, especially after previous international controversies that included sanctions and claims regarding overseas assets, which she has strongly denied.
Her critics argue that repeated questions about her financial sources reflect a wider public concern about transparency among high-ranking officials, while supporters insist the focus is politically motivated.
The latest luxury car allegations have also intensified competition in Uganda’s political landscape, particularly as leadership positions within Parliament remain highly contested.
Some political figures have used the moment to criticize leadership style and governance, arguing that public trust must be maintained through openness and accountability.
Others, however, caution against rushing to judgment based on unverified reports, saying that due process should guide any investigations into public officials’ wealth.
Despite the controversy, Speaker Among continues to maintain her political influence as a senior figure within the ruling establishment, while also remaining a key player in parliamentary leadership discussions.
As debate continues, the issue has reopened broader national conversations about wealth declaration, taxation, political power and public expectations of leaders in Uganda.
For now, the question that once echoed from the President—“Where did you get all this money?”—has resurfaced in public discourse, reflecting ongoing tensions between leadership, accountability and public perception.
About the Author
