Whose Vision? Lira City’s Fate Hangs in Balance As Aceng, Amongi Lock Horns in Battle for Woman MP Seat, 2026

A high-stakes meeting between President Yoweri Museveni, ministers and NRM MPs, and NRM-leaning independent MPs from Lango took place at State House, Entebbe on Friday 18th October, 2024.

The seven-hour discussion centred on the intense political rivalry between Hon. Dr Jane Ruth Aceng and Hon Betty Amongi, two cabinet ministers in President Museveni’s government vying for Lira City Woman MP slot in 2026.

Hon Dr Jane Ruth Aceng, the minister of health is the incumbent and serving her first term while Hon Betty Amongi, a veteran politician is the MP Oyam South and minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development.

After listening attentively for hours to a litany of accusations and pleadings, President Museveni, who calls the two ministers as ‘my daughters from Lango’, took a counselling and parental path to guide the two ladies.

This approach is characteristic of his leadership style, which has been praised by many Ugandans for being thoughtful and considerate.

The approach is reflected in Biblical teachings (Proverbs 18:13 &James1:19), where listening is considered a vital aspect of effective leadership and communication with God and others.

President Museveni urged the ministers to focus on ideology-driven politics, emphasizing wealth-creation and people’s needs over identity-needs politics.

In a press release issued shortly (which has gone viral on social media platforms), Hon Betty Amongi expressed gratitude for the meeting, which has given her a platform to clarify on many things.

“…I sincerely thank the president for the fruitful meeting and urge all my supporters to focus on our agenda of socio-economic transformation of Lira City, our journey is irreversible…” reads part of the brief press release.

Hon Dr Jane Ruth Aceng has not commented but was delegated by the President to officiate during the 10th anniversary of West Lango Diocese, in a ceremony held at Aduku on Saturday when the Church of Uganda Archbishop the Most Rev Dr Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu was the main celebrant.

Even as the 2026 general elections are about 14 months away, this contest has sparked anxiety, with accusations flying between the two ministers and their supporters, particularly on social media platforms.

A notable one is the 2016-created Lango Onotte WhatsApp Group, whose 783 members do not miss a day without witnessing extended bitter and sometimes irate exchanges.

Despite the intense rivalry, Betty Amongi Akena and Hon. Dr Jane Ruth Aceng Ocero has maintained a respectful and civil demeanour towards each other.

Many have praised the gesture, calling it a shining example of mature politics, where differences are acknowledged without degenerating into personal attacks.

Their supporters and indeed all stakeholders are being asked to benefit from adopting such approach of respectful dialogue, issue based debates, and focusing on policies and ideas as opposed to personal attacks.

Maintaining cordial relationships and respect for one another is crucial, especially in the Lango close-knit communities of extended families where everyone has relatives everywhere.

In what can be described as intriguing display of political one-upmanship, the two Lango’s iron ladies Hon Betty Amongi and Hon Dr Jane Ruth Aceng are locked in a benevolent rivalry, showering Lira City residents with donations and interventions.

The ‘tit-for-tat philanthropy has created a windfall for the city dwellers who are eagerly embracing the socio-economic transformation. Each minister seems determined to outdo the other, with residents emerging as the beneficiaries.

Some commentators had suggested that President Museveni should have intervened to keep Amongi in her Oyam South constituency, where she remains popular, ensuring that Lango retains both ministers in the cabinet.

Museveni, fearing to antagonize the constitutional provisions that allow anyone to contest anywhere coupled with this being politics, has chosen not to interfere but to advise the two ladies to prioritize issues.

Hon Betty Amongi is married to a fellow politician, Hon Jimmy Akena, son of former President Dr Apollo Milton Obote (RIP).Hon Dr Aceng Jane is married to Dr. Andrew Ocero-Alyao, a fellow medical doctor.

Interestingly, the two politicians are optimistic of winning the 2026 election to become the Lira City Woman MP, although, ultimately, only one candidate will emerge victorious.

According to experts, the ministers’ confidence may be driven by their individual strengths, campaign strategies, and voter outreach efforts, among other factors like money to finance the now highly commercialized campaigns. Jane Ruth Aceng are locked in a benevolent rivalry, showering Lira City residents with donations and interventions.

The ‘tit-for-tat philanthropy has created a windfall for the city dwellers who are eagerly embracing the socio-economic transformation. Each minister seems determined to outdo the other, with residents emerging as the beneficiaries.

Some commentators had suggested that President Museveni should have intervened to keep Amongi in her Oyam South constituency, where she remains popular, ensuring that Lango retains both ministers in the cabinet.

Museveni,probably fearing to antagonize the constitutional provisions that allow anyone to contest anywhere coupled with this being politics, has chosen not to interfere but to advise the two ladies to prioritize issues.

Hon Betty Amongi is married to a fellow politician, Hon Jimmy Akena, son of former President Dr Apollo Milton Obote (RIP).Hon Dr Aceng Jane is married to Dr. Andrew Ocero-Alyao, a fellow medical doctor.

Interestingly, the two politicians are optimistic of winning the 2026 election to become the Lira City Woman MP, although, ultimately, only one candidate will emerge victorious.

According to experts, the ministers’ confidence may be driven by their individual strengths, campaign strategies, and voter outreach efforts, among other factors like money to finance the now highly commercialized campaigns.