Lira City was thrown into political frenzy as Gender, Labour, and Social Development Minister Betty Amongi made a bold move to shift her voter registration from Akaidebe polling station in Minakulu, Oyam District, to Lira City.
This strategic relocation signals her intent to contest for the Lira City Woman MP seat in the 2026 general elections, a direct challenge to the incumbent, Health Minister Dr. Jane Aceng Ocero.
Amongi, currently the Oyam South MP, officially registered at the Senior Quarters ‘A’ polling station in Lira City’s East Division, igniting waves of speculation and tension within political circles.
Her confident declaration, “I am going to win,” seems to have sent shockwaves through Dr. Aceng’s camp, triggering signs of panic as the race heats up.
Aceng, who had previously projected an air of unshakable confidence, now faces a formidable opponent with deep political roots and a robust support network.
Amongi’s rally was nothing short of a political spectacle, drawing hundreds of supporters from both the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) and the National Resistance Movement (NRM).
Flanked by influential figures like UPC President Jimmy Akena (her husband) and MPs Maxwell Akora, Sodrick Obong Eyit, Nelson Okello Lemba, and Sarah Aguti Nyangkori, Amongi’s show of force highlighted her growing influence in Lira.
Amid the rising tension, Minister Aceng’s response has been telling. Her dismissive stance, refusing talks with Amongi, and recent hurried political gatherings suggest an underlying anxiety about her grip on the constituency.
Last month, NRM heavyweights, including Internal Affairs Minister Gen. Kahinda Otafiire and Sports State Minister Peter Ogwang, publicly urged Amongi to remain in Oyam, indirectly casting doubt on Aceng’s ability to withstand the upcoming political storm.
Otafiire’s biting remarks, “Why are you running away from your constituency? Don’t bring your failures here to Lira City.
Dr. Aceng has delivered. Can you say the same?” only added fuel to the fire, exposing cracks within Aceng’s support base.
Adding to the political drama, Akena announced his ambitions to run for the presidency in 2026, signaling a broader strategy that intertwines national and local political battles.
His cryptic football analogy hinted at Aceng’s vulnerability: “If a player starts by kicking fellow players, the referee shows a red card. There’s already a dangerous substitute (Amongi) ready to replace that player.”
With the political atmosphere charged and alliances shifting, Aceng’s camp appears to be scrambling to maintain composure.
The battle for Lira City is not just a contest for a parliamentary seat; it’s a test of political resilience. As 2026 approaches, the question remains: can Minister Aceng weather the storm, or is panic mode just the beginning of her political unravelling?
