By John Baptist Akora
As Uganda approaches the 2026 general elections, a wave of political realignment is unfolding across the country. One of the more notable developments is the announcement by Gender Minister Betty Amongi of her intention to shift her political base from Oyam South to Lira City, where she is contesting against cabinet colleague, Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng Lira City incumbent Woman Member of Parliament and Minister of Health.
The front-page headline of the Weekend Vision on Saturday, 22nd March, signaled an opportunity for clarity regarding Amongi’s decision. However, the ensuing explanation proved underwhelming, revealing motivations that appear to prioritize personal legacy over public interest.
Amongi’s given justification raises serious questions—not just about intent, but also about what it says for the future of leadership in Lira City. In the extensive Weekend Vision interview, Amongi emphasized family heritage, marriage obligations and the legacy of her husband’s father, former President Dr. Apollo Milton Obote as central motivations for her decision to flee Oyam South (which she had represented for 20 years) for Lira City. She equally didn’t explain why such marital obligations didn’t matter all these years.
While no one questions her right to contest, the rationale she presents leans more on symbolism than substance. Indeed, the Weekend Vision interview depicted someone who wasn’t adequately prepared for the platform the country’s leading daily bestowed upon her. Lira City does not need a legacy project. It needs leadership anchored in service delivery, honesty, humility, policy competence and transformative vision.
Dr. Jane Aceng represents precisely that. A seasoned public health professional whose national profile continues to rise, given her calm demeanor, steady hand and science-driven approach to the country’s health related challenges that have earned her widespread respect and admiration of the international community.
As a first-term MP, in comparison to Amongi’s 25 years, Dr. Aceng has prioritized healthcare access, local empowerment and national attention for Lango—a feat many seasoned politicians struggle to match even when they have been on the political scene for an eternity.
The idea that a woman must shift her political base because she is “a wife” and needs to tend to her husband’s family home is not only outdated. It’s deeply problematic, unserious and simplistic-to put it mildly. Amongi’s framing politicizes and, arguably, weaponizes womanhood—suggesting that a woman’s leadership role is an extension of her marital responsibilities rather than her own merit, qualifications or vision.
These sentiments undermine decades of progress toward women’s empowerment and reinforces the very stereotypes Uganda has been working to dismantle. That this is uttered by the head of the Gender ministry is particularly disturbing.
Leadership is not about where you’re married, or whose daughter-in-law you are. Rather, it is about what you bring to the table. This time, Amongi’s record is not in question, but her decision to challenge a fellow woman leader, based on family and clan obligations and indeed an ego-trip of sorts. Gratefully, the Lira City electorate is sophisticated enough to ensure all this doesn’t go scrutinized. That she calls herself Queen of Lango is further attestation to the skewed thinking of this political scientist she is proud to be.
Voters in Lira City should ask themselves: Do we want a representative who is here to serve the people, or one who is here to build and protect a legacy? The difference is not just political—it’s generational.
Voters in any part of Uganda, and not just Lira City, ought to reward competence and not convenience. They should support women who lead with impact, not those who reduce their leadership to cultural obligations or power trips.
In this election, Dr. Jane Aceng deserves not only a second term—she deserves voters’ respect and support but a renewed mandate to consolidate on the work she has only just begun and has only excelled at inhl her first five years as Lira City woman MP.
The writer is a graduate student at Kyambogo University. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
