The Paramount Chief of Teso, His Royal Highness Papa Emorimor III Paul Sande Etomeileng Emolot, has led a high-level delegation of cultural leaders, Members of Parliament and elders to meet Gen. Caleb Akandwanaho, popularly known as Gen. Salim Saleh, in Kapeeka, Nakaseke District, seeking intervention in matters surrounding former Speaker of Parliament Anita Annet Among.

The delegation, which travelled to Saleh’s residence, comprised senior leaders of the Iteso Cultural Union (ICU), respected clan elders, key stakeholders from the Teso Sub-region and five Members of Parliament led by the Vice Chairperson of the TesoParliamentary Group (TPG), Emmanuel Omoding.
 

Other legislators who attended the meeting included AmuriaDistrict Woman MP Margret Etilu, Amuria County MP Samuel Edyau, Kibale County MP Constantine Okwii and BukedeaCounty MP David Okweere Beecham.

The meeting focused on the challenges currently facing Anita Among and the need for dialogue and reconciliation as investigations involving her continue.

During the engagement, Papa Emorimor appealed to Gen. Saleh to use his influence in facilitating a peaceful resolution of the issues affecting the former Speaker.

Among the key requests presented by the delegation was the reopening of Anita Among’s frozen bank accounts to enable her meet her personal welfare obligations and family responsibilities.

The delegation also requested that she be allowed to continue attending parliamentary sittings and be permitted to visit her constituency to fulfil her constitutional responsibilities as an elected leader while any ongoing investigations take their course.

Papa Emorimor further emphasized the importance of dialogue, reconciliation and national unity, urging that the matter be resolved through engagement rather than confrontation.

In response, Gen. Saleh assured the delegation that the concerns raised were already receiving attention at the highest levels of government.

He urged the people of Teso to remain calm and patient, saying the matter was not being ignored.

“The issues surrounding your daughter are not criminal as many people have portrayed. Some of them are personal while others are institutional. This matter is not about Anita alone; it is about the 11th Parliament, where all members bear collective responsibility,” Saleh said.

He further appealed to the delegation to avoid escalating the matter into a regional or tribal issue.

“Please keep calm. Allow the process to continue. We shall discuss this matter with President Yoweri Museveni and other key leaders involved. There is no need to make this a tribal issue because it is essentially a political matter,” he added.

Saleh acknowledged that Anita Among may have made mistakes during her tenure as Speaker but argued that some of the challenges arose from the difficult circumstances under which she assumed office.

According to him, many of the issues being discussed should be viewed within the broader context of institutional decision-making rather than being attributed to one individual.

He disclosed that he has maintained regular communication with Anita Among throughout the difficult period and has continued offering her guidance and counsel.

“I have received a letter from Anita, and I have been advising her to remain calm. Whenever she calls me, I receive her calls. She is not the first leader to face such challenges and certainly will not be the last,” Saleh told the delegation.

Drawing from his own political experience, Saleh recalled that he once faced corruption allegations while serving as a Member of Parliament representing the UPDF and was compelled to resign.

He said public leadership often comes with enormous scrutiny and pressure.

“It is very difficult to serve in Parliament and come out without facing allegations. Many of us have gone through similar experiences. What is important is remaining focused on serving the country and achieving national goals,” he noted.

Saleh further argued that the issues surrounding the former Speaker should not be viewed as corruption-related but rather as questions concerning institutional leadership and adherence to established presidential guidance.

He also remarked that Anita Among had not fully understood what he described as “Musevenomics,” suggesting that this contributed to some of the challenges she encountered while serving as Speaker.

Concluding the meeting, Gen. Saleh urged the people of Tesoand all supporters of Anita Among to remain patient and prayerful as government continues handling the matter.

He expressed confidence that the issues would eventually be resolved through dialogue and consultations at the highest level of leadership.

The meeting underscored the continued role of the Iteso Cultural Union in advocating for peace, unity and the welfare of its people while encouraging constructive engagement with national leaders on matters affecting the region.