By Okidi Patrick
Minister Betty Amongi Kicks Off Official Campaign in Lira City, Claims 82% Win.
LIRA CITY, UGANDA – November, 17, 2025 :Hon. Betty Amongi Akena, the Minister for Gender, Labour and Social Development, officially launched her political campaign for the 2026 General Elections on Monday, July 17, 2025, in Lira City. The event, held across Kakoge and Ongora Wards, drew significant support from the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) hierarchy, including the party President, Hon. Jimmy James Micheal Akena Obote.
Flanked by incumbent Lira City West MP Hon. Shedrick Vincent Obong Eyit and Emmanuel Ebong Opeto, the mayoral candidate Lira City West Division, Hon. Minister Amongi presented an assertive manifesto, confidently stating that her victory was almost guaranteed at 82 %.
During her address to the cheering crowds, Amongi declared that internal surveys placed her support at a commanding 82 percent. While directly challenging Hon.Minister of health Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng Ocero , her rival, Amongi stated her primary goal was to improve Lira City’s performance rankings in health sector.
“On January 15, 2026, I would have removed Hon. Minister Dr. Aceng Ocero in the morning,” she vowed, sharply criticizing the current state of affairs by claiming Lira City was currently ranked “number 112” according to some official metrics.
She mainly pledged focus on Health, Youth, and Jobs creation for the people of Lira City.
Amongi’s manifesto centered on structural changes aimed at improving welfare and creating economic opportunities, particularly for the youth was welcomed by the people of Ongura ward during her campaigns.
Key pledges outlined by the Minister include:
1: Health Insurance: The introduction of a health insurance card containing UGX 2 million, accessible to pregnant mothers upon subscription.
2: Loan: A comprehensive loan scheme for youth under the age of 35, disbursed at a highly subsidized annual interest rate of 5 percent.
Vocational Training: A commitment to equip Lira City offices with specialized equipment to establish a robust vocational training center immediately following her anticipated electoral victory on January 15, 2026.
Job Matching: The expansion of a volunteer job matching scheme for graduates, noting that agreements had already been signed with companies to facilitate job creation.
Controversy Surrounding Akii-Bua Stadium and Road Works.
The campaign launch also saw Minister Amongi address previous political achievements, specifically refuting counterclaims regarding the development of the Akii-Bua Olympic Stadium now under construction.
She maintained that it was she and Hon. Akena Obote who formally requested the Minister of Foreign Affairs to initiate the Akii-Bua project, spurred by pressure from the people of Lango. “I rubbish the claim of some people saying Akii-Bua Olympic stadium was lobbied by others,” she stated.
Furthermore, Amongi cited political interference as a block to existing infrastructure initiatives. She claimed responsibility for the construction of the Akwiyaworo road, valued at UGX 850 million, but stated that a subsequent letter from the Lira City Town Clerk had stopped her and Obong Eyit from undertaking similar projects.
UPC party President Hon. Akena Obote on the other hand issued warning to NRM: In a powerful speech delivered in support of his wife’s campaign, UPC Party President Hon. Jimmy James Micheal Akena Obote took aim at the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) and the state of constitutional adherence among political parties in Uganda.
Akena repeated a stern warning that “the truth is coming,” asserting that political lies cannot be suppressed indefinitely.
“The truth cannot be destroyed because Uganda will know the truth,” Akena stated, criticizing that “every party in Uganda, including NRM, have not been following their respective party’s constitution.”
Concluding his remarks with an unwavering challenge to the highest office, Akena declared, “So I am telling the president again, Akena is not going quietly.”
The launch marks an official and start to Minister Amongi’s bid for the 2026 polls, setting the stage for what promises to be a hotly contested electoral battle in Lira City.
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