By KT Reporter
Since Honourable Betty Amongi declared her intention to contest for the Lira City Woman Member of Parliament seat against Honourable Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng Ocero, the people of Lira City, Lango, and Uganda at large have witnessed a political battle between two formidable figures from the Lango sub-region. The stakes are high.
And unlike the neighbouring regions of Teso and Acholi, Lango has only three key cabinet positions: Minister for Health, Minister for Gender and the Elderly plus the Chief Whip currently held by Honourable Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng Ocero, Honourable Betty Amongi Akena, and Honourable Hamson Obua respectively. Given Amongi’s decision to wage political war against her sister-in-leadership, Lango risks losing one or more of these crucial cabinet positions.
Despite these tensions, Lango has been captivated by both the striking similarities and nuanced contrasts between these two women. Both hail from Oyam in Lango and born to humble yet educated public servants. They are undeniably intelligent, gifted and attractive.
Both have deep Catholic roots yet are married to accomplished Anglican, introverted, monolingual Anglophone men from Apac District neither of whom speaks their mother tongue given that they share the commonality of having mothers from Southern Uganda. These are Jimmy Akena, a politician and motorbike enthusiast, is the son of Uganda’s former President Apolo Milton Obote, while Dr. Ocero is a PhD-holding, musically inclined physician. However, this is where their similarities largely end.
Honorable Betty Amongi Akena is an unabashed businesswoman who prides herself in mentoring those who seek wealth and influence. Her first marriage to Dr. James Ochwa provided her with an opportunity to further her studies in the U.S.
She later ended that marriage with undisclosed financial gains which she used as a stepping stone into Parliament, representing Apac District. Her associations with key political figures, including Sudan’s Riek Machar, brought her closer to Uganda’s executive, securing her a ministerial position that enabled her to amass significant land and property holdings.
Her marriage to Hon. Jimmy Akena further solidified her influence, leading to her self-proclaimed title of “Queen of Lango” on Facebook. Her ventures in money lending, labor export and other enterprises have often been linked to her ministerial roles, as documented by land scandals and investigations such as the Bamugemereire Land Tribunal and the NSSF six-billion parliamentary probe.
While critics wonder why she has not been held accountable despite damning reports, others argue—quoting ancient Greek philosophers—that while the wheels of justice turn slowly, they grind exceedingly fine. For now, Hon. Betty Amongi continues to evade legal constraints while flaunting her wealth and what she has called her “economic temper” against Dr Aceng.
In Lira, Amongi is known as a godmother to a few businessmen facing legal battles over public land and property grabbing. These individuals form the backbone of her political support, hoping to secure protection against prosecution and financial ruin.
Among these is Mr. Etwop Geoffrey, whose name is frequently mentioned in controversial land dealings in Lira City. Notably, he fraudulently acquired Lira City market property to construct the current Amulam Complex and has been making unwavering attempts at getting the Lira City lorry park while serving as the Lira NRM Party Treasurer.
However, he has shifted alliances, abandoning Hon Dr Aceng who couldn’t shield him and now, while in NRM, supporting the UPC party and Betty Amongi for Lira City Woman MP anticipating protection.
Another key Amongi supporter is Lawrence Okello, a fuel retailer who has repeatedly clashed with city officials over wetland encroachments in Lira and Gulu.
In contrast, Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng Ocero has built a career as a specialist pediatrician and public servant. With her husband, they have cultivated a reputation for selfless service in Lango, particularly during her tenure at Lira Hospital. Like Amongi, Dr. Aceng has worked tirelessly to reach the top, but her approach remains rooted in humanity-oriented and faith-driven service.
True to her 2021 campaign promises, she has saved and donated her parliamentary constituency allowances to women’s groups. Over the past four years, she has consistently supported community needs, improved water and sanitation, aided orphanages and schools for the disabled, and lobbied for better healthcare services in Lira City.
While the COVID-19 pandemic propelled her into the national spotlight, she was already making waves in the medical field. During her master’s studies, she received recognition from the American Pediatric Association for her groundbreaking research on severe malaria treatment in children.
In 2012, responding to a nationwide malaria spike, she successfully lobbied the Commander-in-Chief to deploy the army in a swift and effective public health intervention, an approach that remains instrumental in Uganda’s disease outbreak responses today.
It is evident that the political styles of these two women are shaped by their backgrounds. Dr. Aceng represents a breed of politicians who remain connected to the electorate. Her tenure as Woman MP has been marked by a commitment to her documented manifesto.
Over the past three years, she has successfully lobbied for development projects, including the construction of boreholes, provision of revolving grants to low-income women entrepreneurs, upgrading of health facilities, road improvements and support for churches and mosques.
On the other hand, Honourable Betty Amongi’s current actions appear reactionary—strategic moves designed to achieve a specific political outcome for that moment. She has borrowed from intensified grassroots UPC mobilization, while leveraging the perceived alliance between UPC and NRM at the national level.
Additionally, she has begun mirroring Aceng’s campaign strategies, distributing hoes, Jua Kali tools. She has leveraged resources that come with controlling Gender Ministry-affiliated programmes like NSSF, GROW, SENTE and the Youth Livelihood Fund.
The businesswoman woman in Honorable Betty Amongi wouldn’t fail to harness power and influence that come with having the last word on all these. But her recent involvement in repairing boreholes and spearheading a large-scale reconstruction of the Omito-Anyomorem Bridge seemed uncharacteristic.
While the bridge project addresses a genuine public need, questions linger: Is this a sign of political rebirth, or is it simply a business investment with expected returns post-2026? Her supporters claim the bridge reconstruction cost Ugx850m but even a lay observer would estimate the actual cost at a fraction of that amount.
Nonetheless, this project remains an unusual philanthropic gesture from Amongi, raising speculation, particularly in Oyam District where many were wary of her ways and her motivations.
In conclusion, the battle for Lira City is calling for selflessness which is the standard set by Dr Aceng since taking the MP office in 2021. Dr. Aceng’s approach has directly benefited voters meaningfully beyond small cash-handouts and alcohol.
The reconstruction of the Omito-Anyomorem Bridge, ironically credited to Amongi, is ultimately a product of Dr. Aceng’s influence and distinct political style. Amongi’s five terms as MP for Apac and later Oyam paint a starkly different picture from the sudden generosity she now exhibits in Lira City. Dr Aceng is the cause for the reconstruction of the Omito-Anyomorem bridge.
And the question remains: Is this a genuine transformation in Hon Betty Amongi, or merely a calculated investment for future gain? Ultimately, it is up to the voters of Lira City to distinguish and choose between consistent public service and erratic impulsive philanthropy. The Lira City voters also have to keep in mind that one of these approaches will drive continued development and the other leave Lira City dwellers to their own scruples! Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
