UgandaToday: From Kneeling to Power Shift: The Tale of Magogo, Kadaga, and Among
By Uganda Today News Desk
A photograph has resurfaced online capturing a symbolic moment from Uganda’s political past: Moses Hassim Magogo, the current president of the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) and Member of Parliament for Budiope East, kneeling before then-Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga.
The image, taken during Kadaga’s heyday as Speaker of the 9th and 10th Parliaments, evokes the extent of her political dominance at the time. Kadaga, who held the powerful office for a decade, commanded both reverence and fear within the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) and among opposition ranks.
Magogo’s Rise in Politics and Football
Moses Hassim Magogo, born on November 8, 1976, is best known for his leadership in Ugandan football. As president of FUFA, he has been at the center of reforms, professionalization, and international engagements, representing Uganda at FIFA and CAF levels while also serving as a FIFA instructor in football administration and management.
Parallel to his football career, Magogo entered active politics as a legislator for Budiope East constituency in Busoga. His dual roles in both sports and politics have often placed him in the spotlight, sometimes with controversy, but always with influence.
Today, Magogo is also known for his marriage to Anita Annet Among, the Speaker of Uganda’s 11th Parliament, with whom he shares twins. His close association with the current power center in Parliament stands in sharp contrast to the earlier years when Kadaga reigned supreme.
Kadaga’s Waning Influence
Rebecca Kadaga, once considered the most powerful woman in Ugandan politics, fell from grace after she was ousted from the Speakership in May 2021. Despite her efforts to mobilize support, she was decisively defeated by late Jacob Oulanyah who was fully backed by president Museveni, who at the time was Deputy Speaker. Kadaga’s bid for re-election as Speaker ended bitterly, with President Museveni and the NRM machinery shifting their favor toward Among.
In the recently concluded NRM Delegates Conference at Kololo, Kadaga’s struggles deepened further when she lost her bid for the position of NRM Vice Chairperson (Female), garnering a paltry 902 votes (7.2%) votes against Anita Among’s sweeping 11,680 votes (92.8%) out of the 12,582 delegates who cast their ballots.
Anita Among’s Meteoric Rise
Anita Annet Among has, in less than a decade, risen from relative obscurity to become one of the most influential political actors in Uganda. As Speaker of Parliament, she has consolidated power, commanding loyalty from NRM structures and building a formidable alliance within the ruling party.
Her personal and political ties with Moses Magogo further cement her grip, making the couple one of the most formidable power duos in Ugandan politics today.
Symbolism of the Photograph
The photograph of Magogo kneeling before Kadaga is now seen through a different lens. Once, it symbolized the reverence and loyalty that Kadaga commanded. Today, it is an ironic reminder of how power has shifted: Kadaga is no longer at the helm, while Magogo and his wife, Anita Among, sit at the heart of Uganda’s current political establishment.
Busoga Politics at the Crossroads
The Busoga sub-region, where the two figures—Kadaga and Magogo, have roots and strong followings, continues to be a theater of political rivalry. Kadaga remains a revered cultural and political figure in Kamuli, but her political muscle is visibly waning. Meanwhile, Among and Magogo’s influence keeps expanding, reshaping the balance of power in Busoga and beyond.
Key Takeaways for Discerning Readers
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Moses Magogo: From football administrator to political insider, his journey reflects Uganda’s intersections of sport and politics.
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Rebecca Kadaga: Once the most powerful woman in Parliament, now struggling to maintain political relevance.
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Anita Among: A meteoric rise that has eclipsed Kadaga, with both political and personal ties strengthening her dominance.
What was once a deferential kneel before Kadaga now echoes as a poignant symbol of Uganda’s shifting centers of power.
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