At dawn on Tuesday, the Parliament of Uganda, one of the country’s most powerful institutions after the Presidency, was secured in an extraordinary law enforcement operation linked to ongoing corruption investigations.
Detectives, forensic experts, and intelligence officers moved through the parliamentary precinct in a coordinated 16-hour exercise, sealing off offices, restricting movement, and examining key records across several departments.
The operation, led by detectives from the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) based in Kibuli, reportedly focused on offices linked to former Speaker Anita Annet Among, Clerk to Parliament Adolf Mwesige Kasaija, senior finance officials, legal departments, and the communications directorate.
It marked one of the most extensive investigative exercises ever conducted within Uganda’s legislature. Witnesses described heightened security and tightly controlled access resembling a major national security operation.
Police convoys, forensic vans, and intelligence vehicles reportedly arrived at Parliament before sunrise. Security personnel quickly secured access routes to key offices, including areas around the Speaker’s chambers, while investigators moved in with evidence-gathering kits, sealed containers, and digital forensic tools.
Crime scene markers were placed on selected office doors, and staff were temporarily restricted from accessing affected sections as investigators carried out searches and documentation.
Inside the building, tension mounted as Members of Parliament and staff observed developments from a distance, while journalists gathered outside security cordons amid speculation about the scope of the operation. Former Speaker Among was not present during the exercise; her lawyer, Caleb Alaka, was reportedly involved in representing her interests during parts of the proceedings.
Investigators were later seen working long hours, with support staff delivering meals and refreshments, as the operation continued deep into the night.
By evening, parts of the parliamentary complex remained sealed off. Sources familiar with the investigation indicated that detectives were reviewing procurement files, financial records, recruitment documents, electronic communications, and expenditure reports linked to the Parliamentary Commission during the 11th Parliament.
Several electronic devices, documents, contracts, and audit materials were reportedly taken for forensic analysis.
The operation comes amid ongoing allegations under investigation involving possible abuse of office, procurement irregularities, and misuse of public funds. Authorities have not publicly confirmed the full scope of the inquiries.
Investigators are also reportedly examining financial transactions linked to high-value assets, including property and vehicles, allegedly associated with individuals under scrutiny.
Officials have described the process as still in its early stages, suggesting further investigative steps may follow.
The developments come as former Speaker Among recently withdrew from the race for Speaker of the 12th Parliament amid increasing political pressure and corruption-related scrutiny within the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM). She has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
Security sources also indicated that immigration authorities may have placed travel alerts on some individuals connected to the investigations, though this has not been officially confirmed.
The operation has coincided with growing public reflection among outgoing legislators on accountability within the 11th Parliament.
Koboko North MP James Baba Noah publicly expressed regret over what he described as weaknesses in parliamentary oversight. “We really made mistakes, and I must apologise to Ugandans,” he said, adding that scrutiny of the Parliamentary Commission’s budget was insufficient.
Former Kagoma North MP Brandon Kintu described the outgoing Parliament as having faced serious integrity challenges, calling for stronger institutional accountability moving forward.
The developments have also reignited political discussion around anti-corruption campaigns championed by senior government figures, including Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba and the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), whose “Operation Maliza Ufisadi” slogan has gained attention in recent months.
Under Uganda’s Anti-Corruption Act, offences such as abuse of office, causing financial loss, and illicit enrichment carry severe penalties, including imprisonment and asset recovery measures. The Leadership Code Act also requires public officials to declare assets, while the Constitution mandates oversight institutions to investigate suspected abuse of authority.
As investigations continue, analysts say the unfolding events could mark a significant moment in Uganda’s ongoing debate on governance, accountability, and institutional transparency.
