For over a decade Betty Amongi has been one of Uganda’s most visible UPC faces in the NRM government. From Lands, Housing and Urban Development to Kampala Capital City, and finally Gender, Labour and Social Development until May 26, 2026, the former Oyam South MP served across key ministries.
Now, she is missing from President Museveni’s ‘Kisanja No More Sleep’ Cabinet list. She has also lost her parliamentary seat. The exit raises questions about loyalty, alliances, and what happens when political calculations shift.
From bride price to Cabinet table
Amongi’s political and personal story is tied to UPC president Jimmy Akena Obote. On April 7, 2013, Akena paid bride price at Minakulu Primary School in Oyam: 20 heads of cattle, Shs20 million, and 12 goats. President Museveni attended as chief guest and reportedly contributed Shs50 million.
The closeness extended to politics. Back in 2015, Museveni hinted at an NRM-UPC alliance. Akena’s faction then rallied behind Museveni in 2011, 2016 and 2021 elections.
‘UPC Museveni were campaigning for Museveni,’ said NRM spokesperson for Lango, Jacob Ocen. He contrasted that with ‘UPC Akena’, the faction he said opposed Museveni.
A shift in 2026
The equation changed when Akena declared he would challenge Museveni in 2026. The Electoral Commission later disqualified him from the presidential race. Amongi also left Oyam South and contested in Lira City against NRM’s Jane Ruth Aceng. She lost with 26,199 votes to Aceng’s 38,074.
With both the seat and Cabinet position gone, Lira residents are asking if Amongi is paying for Akena’s fallout with Museveni. ‘Instead, UPC’s Santa Alum, Oyam South Member of Parliament, has been appointed as Minister of State for Economic Monitoring, Office of the President,’ according to the May 26, 2026 appointments.
Akena quickly distanced the party from Alum’s appointment. ‘UPC party was neither consulted nor engaged regarding this appointment. Accordingly, Ms Alum’s acceptance or service in the said position shall be understood as an individual decision and not a position taken by or on behalf of the Uganda People’s Congress,’ he said in a statement.
Akena added that while UPC had submitted a framework for ‘possible future structured political engagement’ with NRM, ‘no active cooperation agreement, governing arrangement, or formal working partnership presently exists between the two parties.’ ‘UPC therefore remains an independent political party in opposition, guided by its constitutional structures, principles, and longstanding commitment to constitutionalism, democratic governance, national unity, social justice, and practical people-centered development,’ he said.
NRM’s Ocen says the alliance with Akena’s faction is over. ‘When you look at the current situation, it means Museveni has shifted allegiance from Akena by opening a new chapter of dealing with UPC. Akena said in a statement that they were not consulted on the appointment of Santa Alum, yet according to NRM they were no longer relevant. This means they’re completely out of the alliance,’ Ocen explained.
What next for Amongi?
The outgoing Gender minister struck a reflective tone after her Lira City loss. ‘I assure them of my continued commitment to working with the people, listening to them, standing with them, and pursuing the vision we have consistently shared,’ she said. ‘However, politics has a way of teaching difficult lessons: the impunity and undemocratic methods one uses against opponents can, in time, return to haunt them. That is a lesson all politicians should reflect upon.’
Lango Paramount Chief Eng Dr Michael Moses Odongo Okune welcomed Museveni’s appointments, noting Lango got four slots: Dr Jane Ruth Aceng as ICT Minister, Santa Alum as State Minister for Economic Monitoring, Sam Engola as Minister of Relief and Disaster Preparedness, and Dr Mercy Faith Lakisa as State Minister for Youth and Children’s Affairs.
‘We are grateful for the recognition,’ he said. ‘You should show respect and be transparent while handling public resources,’ he urged the new ministers.