The political temperature in Lira City soared to a new high today as Hon. Betty Amongi Akena, the Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development and a prominent figure in the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC), was officially nominated by the Electoral Commission (EC) to contest for the Lira City Woman Member of Parliament seat.
Amid a vibrant spectacle of red UPC colors, loud cheers, and motorcades that momentarily paralyzed the city center, the Minister presented her papers, confirming what has been the most anticipated political showdown in the Lango sub-region: a direct contest against Health Minister and incumbent MP, Dr. Jane Ruth Acheng.
The atmosphere at the nomination centre was charged with the kind of fervor indicative of a major political shift. Hundreds of supporters, including traders, boda-boda riders, and women leaders, marched with Amongi, singing party anthems and hailing her as the “Daughter of Lango” ready to bring new development to the urban constituency.
After successfully completing the necessary formalities with the EC officials, a visibly confident Amongi addressed the enthusiastic crowd, framing her candidature not merely as an election but as a movement for local empowerment.
“Today is not just a formality; it is a declaration,” Hon. Amongi stated, her voice amplified by the roar of the crowd. “It is a declaration that the people of Lira City are ready for a representative who will not only bring ministerial influence but will also be fully available on the ground to address the bread-and-butter issues facing our market women, our youth, and our families.”
Hon. Amongi’s nomination solidifies the political narrative that Lira City will be the epicenter of Uganda’s most high-stakes electoral battle in the upcoming cycle.
While the UPC flag-bearer holds a cabinet position in the ruling NRM government, her nomination on an opposition ticket underscores the unique, and often conflicting, nature of Ugandan political alliances.
“We respect the work done by the current leadership, but Lira City deserves more. It is a booming urban centre, and its representation must reflect that potential,” Amongi told reporters. “We are ready for the contest. The people have weighed the options, and their enthusiasm today is all the proof we need that they are ready to rally behind a vision of inclusive and accelerated development.”
With her name now officially on the ballot, the long-awaited political duel between the two powerful female ministers is officially underway, promising a campaign season defined by intense mobilisation, robust policy debate, and an undeniable concentration of political power in the heart of Lango.
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