"Aise Ikur Obale: Teso Voices Rise Against Selective Justice Targeting Speaker Anita Among"

The ongoing political and legal scrutinyy surrounding Speaker Anita Annet Among has sparked intense debate across Uganda, especially in the Teso sub-region.

For many people in Teso, the situation is no longer viewed simply as an issue of accountability or governance. Instead, it is increasingly being interpreted as a clear example of selective justice — what the Iteso people describe as “Aise ikur Obale,” meaning unequal treatment or discrimination in the application of justice.

Many people in Teso are asking one fundamental question: if decisions and responsibilities in Parliament involved more than one leader, why is Anita Among appearing to carry the burden alone while other senior officials, including her deputy Thomas Tayebwa, remain largely untouched? To them, this raises concerns about fairness, consistency, and hidden political calculations.

The perception that Among is being singled out while Tayebwa is left out has fueled feelings of regional imbalance. Supporters of the Speaker argue that if investigations or criticism are genuinely about institutional responsibility, then all leaders connected to the decisions under question should be treated equally before the law.

They believe that isolating Anita Among creates the impression that justice is being selectively implemented depending on one’s region, political influence, or background.

For the people of Teso, this matter touches a deeper historical sensitivity.

The region has long desired equal recognition, equal opportunity, and equal treatment within national leadership structures. As a result, many now interpret the current situation not merely as political accountability, but as another reminder that leaders from certain regions can easily become targets while others are protected.

This perception is particularly painful because Anita Among has, over the recent years, become one of the strongest mobilizers of support for the NRM in the Teso sub-region. Her political influence and grassroots engagement significantly strengthened the ruling party’s visibility and acceptance in an area that had previously experienced mixed political loyalties.

Through development initiatives, political mobilization, women empowerment campaigns, and direct engagement with local communities, Anita Among managed to rally many people in Teso behind the NRM. For many supporters, she became more than just a national leader — she became a symbol of Teso’s growing relevance in national politics.

It is therefore not surprising that many in the region feel personally hurt by what they perceive as her unfair treatment. 

They believe that after dedicating herself to mobilizing support for the ruling establishment, she now appears abandoned and isolated at a difficult moment. 

This has generated frustration among sections of the population who feel that loyalty and service to the party should not be rewarded with selective condemnation.

Across Teso, some leaders and citizens are warning that this growing perception of unequal justice could weaken political trust and damage the relationship between the region and the national leadership. They argue that justice must not only be done, but must also be seen to be fair and balanced. If one leader is investigated or criticized, then all equally connected individuals should face the same level of scrutiny regardless of their regional origin or political standing.

The message increasingly emerging from Teso is clear: the people will not comfortably accept a situation where Anita Among appears to face harsh public and political pressure while others in similar positions are seemingly spared. 

To them, equal responsibility must mean equal accountability.

Ultimately, whether one supports Anita Among politically or not, the wider concern being raised in Teso is about consistency, fairness, and national unity. 

Many believe that Uganda’s justice and political systems must avoid any appearance of regional bias because perceptions of selective treatment can deepen divisions and weaken public confidence in national institutions.

For the people of Teso, the principle remains simple: justice should never appear to favor some while targeting others. Otherwise, the cry of “Aise ikur Obale” will only grow louder.