Security operatives yesterday arrested Masaka City Woman MP Justine Nameere and reportedly recovered UGX3.5 billion in cash during a search at her Kampala residence, according to highly placed security sources.
Sources claim the money was allegedly handed to Nameere by Speaker Anita Annet Among to finance political mobilization activities linked to the anticipated race for Speaker of Parliament. Investigators are also reportedly examining allegations that part of the operation was intended to destabilise the thanksgiving ceremony of Cabinet Minister Jacob Oboth-Oboth held in Mukono.
According to security insiders, intelligence reports indicated that Nameere was allegedly coordinating parallel political activities at a time when ruling NRM MPs had been invited to attend Oboth-Oboth’s thanksgiving event. The reports reportedly triggered a security operation that led to her arrest and the recovery of the money.
The incident comes amid growing tension and behind-the-scenes lobbying within the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) ahead of the expected battle for key parliamentary leadership positions. Reports also suggest that President Yoweri Museveni recently advised Speaker Among to reconsider her reported ambitions of retaining the speakership.
Before her arrest, Nameere had recently been involved in a public political exchange with David Kabanda after the Patriotic League of Uganda announced it had withdrawn support for Speaker Among.
Security officials have not yet confirmed whether formal charges will be filed as investigations into the source and intended use of the money continue.
