LIRA, UGANDA — The Minister of Internal Affairs, Maj Gen (Rtd) Kahinda Otafiire, has openly criticized Gender Minister Betty Amongi, labeling her a political failure unworthy of continued parliamentary support.
Earlier this year, Amongi, who represents the opposition Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) and is the current Oyam South Member of Parliament, announced her candidacy for the Lira City Woman MP seat in the 2026 elections. This decision positions her as a contender against the incumbent Lira City Woman MP and Minister of Health, Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng.
The announcement has heightened political tension between the two leaders, both of whom have significant influence in the Lango sub-region.
Over the weekend, Otafiire attended the Lira City Boda-Boda Festival, an event organized by Aceng in collaboration with the Lira United Motorcycle Association (LUMBA). While addressing attendees, Otafiire criticized Amongi for allegedly neglecting her responsibilities in Oyam and questioned her reasons for seeking election in Lira City.
“Service is service – whether you’re UPC, whether you’re DP, whether you’re NRM or you don’t belong to any political party, a medical facility is a medical facility. Don’t vote for my party, don’t vote for my religion, don’t vote for my clan, vote for services.
My sister Amongi, UPC, you have your constituency, if you have been giving milk why are you running away? Go back and tell your constituents what you did for them so that they approve of your coming here. Don’t bring your failure to the city. Why are running away, what are you running from?,” Otafiire remarked.
He commended Aceng for her achievements in both her constituency and her cabinet role, highlighting her ability to challenge and inspire him.
“For a beginner, Jane has exceeded expectations. I have been in parliament for almost 40 years, I have not achieved what Jane has achieved. When a member of parliament achieves two promises in a campaign, she has excelled. When I look at her record, I feel intimidated and secondly, Jane is one of the most brilliant contributors in cabinet.
When Jane makes a contribution, she makes me proud even when she’s contradicting my views. I listen and say but what Jane has said makes a lot of sense. She more often than not makes me abandon my conservative and outdated ideas. She’s one of the few people that contribute positively to the cause of development,” Otafiire added.
State Minister for Sports, Peter Ogwang, has called for unity among leaders in the Lango sub-region amidst rising political competition. He appealed to cultural and religious leaders to step in as mediators and persuade Gender Minister Betty Amongi to focus on her current constituency in Oyam.
Ogwang underscored that both Amongi and Health Minister Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng are valuable assets to the region. He emphasized the importance of cooperation among leaders to foster development and harmony in the area, rather than allowing political rivalry to create divisions.
“I don’t see the reason why we should lose the minister of Health of Uganda here in Lango. What are we looking for? What do you people want? I challenge you the people of Lango, sit down one of your daughters, let her be where she has been.
Let Aceng be here, after all, all of them are one dining table. Where are the religious leaders, where are the cultural leaders? This is where we need, we cannot lose two and then tomorrow you begin saying NRM doesn’t like you yet you’re the very people fighting your own,” Ogwang said.
Kyoga North MP James Olobo, popularly known as Dubai, echoed similar sentiments, warning Amongi against provoking Aceng. He emphasized the importance of both leaders serving in their respective roles for the benefit of the region.
“This is Aceng’s home and Amongi’s home is the other side, so why are we fighting when we are all children of Lango? We want both of them, Aceng and Amongi, as they each have their own constituency. For that reason, we do not want provocation!” Olobo stated.
Health Minister Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng has expressed confidence in her leadership and embraced the prospect of political competition. She reaffirmed her dedication to serving the community and highlighted her career achievements, which began with her tenure as the Director General of Health Services at the Ministry of Health. Aceng also outlined the milestones she has reached in her current ministerial and parliamentary roles.
Meanwhile, Gender Minister Betty Amongi, who has represented Oyam South in Parliament since 2011, previously served as the Woman MP for Apac district. Her extensive political career underscores her influence in the region, making the upcoming contest between the two leaders highly anticipated.
