A fierce political showdown is brewing in Lira City as two prominent Cabinet ministers, Ms Betty Amongi and Dr Jane Ruth Aceng, clash in a high-stakes race for the woman representative seat in Parliament.
The rivalry between these two political heavyweights has sent shock waves across the Lango Sub-region, with supporters on both sides fiercely defending their candidates.
Ms Amongi, the minister of Gender, Labour, and Social Development, has abandoned her Oyam County South parliamentary seat and relocated to Lira City. She is contesting under the Uganda Peoples Congress (UPC) flag.
Her opponent, Dr Aceng, the minister of Health and incumbent Lira City Woman MP, is seeking re-election on the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party ticket.
Amid the intense contest, a third contender has entered the race, Ms Patricia Aceng Ogwang, a young and ambitious former radio presenter, who is running as an Independent and promises to shake up Lira’s political scene.
Ms Amongi’s economic agenda
Ms Amongi has vowed that UPC will sweep all parliamentary seats in this key trade hub of the Lango Sub-region.
In Lira City East Division, Mr James Ocen (UPC) faces off against Mr Denis Alyela Omodi (NRM) and Mr Isaac Apenyo (Independent). This seat was previously held by Mr Jimmy Akena Obote, the UPC party president, who is also Ms Amongi’s husband.
In Lira City West Division, UPC’s Vincent Shedrick Obong (incumbent) is battling Mr Eddy Morris Ogweng (NRM), Mr Denis Blair Odongo Okello (Ind), Mr Jimmy Awany (Ind), and Mr Dan Okello (Ind).
‘We are here to win all seats in Lira City as members of the Uganda Peoples Congress. We are going to focus on the needs of the people, economic empowerment,’ Ms Amongi said.
Amongi’s 2026-2031 agenda prioritises industrialisation.
‘I will work to ensure the operationalisation of Lira Industrial Park. I already have two investors, one from Korea and one from Dubai, ready to invest,’ she said, pledging to promote economic empowerment, especially for youth and women.
She also said if elected, she would expand an ongoing skilling programme and roll out affordable capital at 10 percent interest for small businesses.
Her campaign slogan, ‘Oribcing olweny wunu ikom can, bed i cente icao’, translates to ‘Let’s join hands to fight poverty and have money in our pockets.’
‘Without money, you cannot meet basic needs such as education, healthcare, food, shelter, and clothing,’ she said. ‘We will support every sector, agriculture, business, and beyond, to ensure families have income and can contribute to our economy.’
‘Protecting the gains’
Dr Aceng, meanwhile, said she is ready to defend her seat and consolidate her achievements.
‘I have made good gains in water and sanitation, education, health, and wealth creation. I promise to protect and enhance those gains,’ she affirmed.
The health minister emphasised unity and teamwork, saying the transformation of Lira City requires collective effort.
Aceng: ‘A people-centred vision’
Independent candidate Aceng Ogwang said she is offering a new kind of leadership that is best suited for the city.
‘My vision for Lira City is one where every citizen, especially women and youth have equal access to opportunities, quality services, and a dignified life,’ she said.
Her platform rests on three pillars: health and sanitation for all; urban farming for food security and income; and education and child empowerment.
‘I intend to champion a leadership that listens, engages, and delivers,’ she added.
Challenges on ground
Despite its growth, Lira faces major socio-economic challenges.
The city has one of the highest HIV prevalence rates in Uganda, at 12 percent as of 2024, linked to factors such as commercial sex work and risky behaviour among people living with HIV/Aids.
Other persistent issues include poor road infrastructure, youth unemployment, poverty, domestic violence, and poor sanitation.
Patricia Aceng Ogwang
A journalist and public health advocate, Ms Ogwang has over six years of experience in broadcast and online media. Through her reporting, she has championed causes such as gender equality, gender-based violence prevention, and social inclusion.
She is the founder of Wanacel Foundation, a women’s rights and advocacy organisation based in Lira City. She said her earlier volunteer work with Child Fund International in Kampala inspired her commitment to empowering vulnerable communities.
‘Informed people are empowered people,’ she said.
Betty Amongi
Ms Amongi is a strong advocate for women’s rights and political inclusion. She spearheaded the national campaign to abolish the refund of bride price and has represented Uganda in several international parliamentary associations.
She has worked on peace and security initiatives across Africa, including in Somalia, where her efforts helped advance women’s representation in Parliament.
Ms Amongi is a trained professional in International Relations, Political Science, and Gender and Development Studies.
She previously served as Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, and Minister for Kampala Capital City, before assuming her current Gender, Labour and Social Development portfolio.
Dr Jane Ruth Aceng
She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Medicine (MBChB), MMED (Paediatrics), Masters in Public Health and Diploma in Health System Strengthening.
She is a senior paediatrician. She served as medical officer, senior medical officer, medical officer special grade, medical superintendent, consultant paediatrician, senior consultant paediatrician, hospital director and formerly as the director general of health services, where she was responsible for coordinating technical functions for the delivery of health services, a role she fulfilled until her appointment as the minister of Health.