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Road to 2026: Amongi eyes Aceng’s Lira seat

Combo: Jane Ruth Aceng and Betty Amongi. PHOTO/ FILE
What you need to know:
- First elected to Parliament in 2001 Amongi has built a reputation for addressing constituents’ needs, including infrastructure, electricity, and socio-economic empowerment.
- Dr Aceng, who is currently serving her first term as the Lira City Woman MP under the National Resistance Movement (NRM), welcomed the competition.
The incumbent Member of Parliament for Oyam South in Oyam District and Minister of Gender, Labour, and Social Development, Betty Amongi Ongom, has officially declared her intention to contest for the Lira City Woman MP seat in the 2026 elections.
This move sets up a political showdown with her colleague, Dr Jane Ruth Aceng, the incumbent MP and minister of Health. Ms Dina Abua, Amongi’s political assistant, confirmed that the minister has finalised consultations with the people of Lira City East and West divisions, who endorsed her candidacy.
“It’s no longer a secret that Imat (Amongi) is contesting in Lira City. Before she made the decision, Imat consulted the people of Lira City East and City West division and people gave her a nod to run in Lira City as the area Woman Member of Parliament. Last week, she even bid farewell to the Oyam North Constituency, and now we’re heading to Lira City,” Ms Abua said in a telephone interview yesterday. When asked about the reason for her shift, Amongi responded that she would elaborate on January 25, when she officially transfers her voter registration to Lira City.
Dr Aceng, who is currently serving her first term as the Lira City Woman MP under the National Resistance Movement (NRM), welcomed the competition. Her political assistant, Ms Zena Opolot, emphasisd that the work accomplished by Dr Aceng would secure her re-election.
“In politics, you’re free to come and contest in any constituency where you feel you can make it. There is no problem in that. We welcome her (Amongi). Let her come. It’s the work you have done which will take you back or make you not go back to Parliament,” she said. Ms Opolot said Dr Aceng has accomplished 85 percent of the activities highlighted in her 2021-2026 manifesto.
“We’re not threatened at all with her (Amongi’s) coming. Let her come. We’re ready for her. Come what may, Dr Jane will have to go through and she will be the Member of Parliament of Lira City come 2026,” her political assistant added. Minister Amongi of the Opposition Uganda Peoples Congress (UPC) party is married to Mr Jimmy Akena Obote, the Member of Parliament for Lira City East Division, also the son to former president Apollo Milton Obote.
Residents say
Amongi’s decision to shift her political base has sparked discontent among some constituents in Oyam South. During a press briefing at Pacific Grand Hotel in Lira City on January 11, voters from Aber, Minakulu, Loro, and Myene expressed their dissatisfaction, accusing her of abandoning the constituency Town Council, called on Amongi to resign, citing her farewell to constituents as a sign of her disengagement.
Mr Charles Opio, another voter from Aber Sub-county, suggested that the minister redirects all government development funds intended for Oyam South back to the local community, rather than using them to develop Lira City. Mr David Odoc, a resident of Myene Sub-county, called on former leaders from Oyam South such as Ms Beatrice Lagada (former Oyam Woman MP), Mr Nelson Adea Akar (former Oyam District chairman, and Mr Isha Otto Amiza (former area MP), to step forward and contest for the Oyam South seat.
Amongi’s record
First elected to Parliament in 2001 Amongi has built a reputation for addressing constituents’ needs, including infrastructure, electricity, and socio-economic empowerment. She is known for being dependable and responsive, traits she credits for her continued electoral success.
“And since then, they (electorate) do so [vote her], because of honouring my word to them, being reliable in times of needs, and dependable when I pledge to do something,” Ms Amongi said. She added: “Voters look for a person who can be their shield, able to protect them from when need arises; their voice, dependable.” As the 2026 General Election approaches, the race for Lira City Woman MP promises to be a contest of two accomplished leaders, each seeking to win the trust and support of voters in the region.
About Betty Amongi
Born on November 15, 1975, Amongi has championed women’s rights, including leading efforts to abolish the bride price refund in Uganda. Through her work with global parliamentary associations; the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and the Inter Parliamentary Union, where she has been serving as an executive member, Ms Amongi has travelled to Kenya, Nigeria, Somalia, Japan, Myanmar, Samoa, Tonga, Oman, Yemen, Gambia and Saudi Arabia to meet government officials in the campaign for inclusion of women in Parliament. She has also been involved in global campaigns on peace and security. Amongi has also worked to integrate women into parliamentary systems, notably influencing clan leaders in Somalia to adopt a quota system for female representation. Her expertise spans international relations, political science, and gender and development studies. She has held several ministerial roles, including Minister of Lands, Housing, and Urban Development, and Minister for Kampala.
About Jane Ruth
Dr Aceng is a senior consultant pediatrician with extensive experience in healthcare management. Holding a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MBChB), MMED in Pediatrics, and a Master’s in Public Health, she has served in various roles, including Director General of Health Services and as hospital director. Currently, the minister of Health, Dr Aceng has been instrumental in coordinating Uganda’s health service delivery