UPC and Betty Amongi painted streets Lira City RED yesterday in a massive rally!
Minister Betty Amongi and her supporters took to the streets of Lira City yesterday as she officially relocated her polling station, from Minakulu in Oyam District to Senior Quarters “A” in Lira City in the ongoing Electoral commission voter update exercise.
The political atmosphere in Lira City has been charged following Amongi’s declaration, with the move being seen as an attempt to leverage her influence and resources to secure the Woman MP position. Amongi’s decision has not been without controversy; it has led to a flurry of activities and statements from both supporters and critics.
Information Minister Chris Baryomunsi has reportedly tried to mediate between the two ministers, indicating the high stakes involved in this political contest. However, the mediation efforts seem to have done little to quell the brewing storm.
Adding fuel to the fire, Maj. Gen. Kahinda Otafiire, the Minister of Internal Affairs, issued a stern warning to Amongi, advising her to concentrate on serving her current constituents in Oyam South rather than venturing into what he described as a political misadventure in Lira City.
The political rivalry has polarized the city’s residents, with allegiances split along party lines. Amongi has been actively engaging with various community groups, including women’s associations and religious denominations, to bolster her support base. On the other hand, Aceng has been leveraging her record of service delivery, notably in health and community development, to maintain her stronghold.
Lira has traditionally been a UPC stronghold and has enjoyed huge support for decades not until the recent emergence of NRMs Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng.
The upgrade of Lira Municipality into a city in 2020 created three parliamentary seats and in 2021 general elections UPC won the seats of Lira East and Lira West, while NRMs Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng took the City’s Woman MP seat building on her heroic success in the fight against COVID-19 as Uganda’s Health Minister.
As the 2026 elections approach, the political landscape in Lira City will undoubtedly be one to watch, with high stakes in the Lira City Woman MP race as two strong ladies battle it out.
