Gender Minister Betty Amongi Akena has defended her post-election silence following the Lira City Woman MP race, saying it was a deliberate move to prevent unrest in Lira and the wider Lango sub-region.
“I have remained silent since the election, not because I accepted defeat, but because I understood that reckless actions would plunge our community into chaos,” Amongi said, emphasizing that her restraint was aimed at preserving unity and social cohesion.
However, she cautioned that her silence should not be mistaken for acceptance of the results or weakness, insisting she still disputes the outcome that saw Health Minister Jane Ruth Aceng declared winner.
Amongi described the election as part of a broader coordinated effort to undermine her political standing, arguing that her opponent benefited from a wider network of support beyond local structures.
“The truth is that Dr Aceng is merely a beneficiary of a much bigger scheme against my candidacy,” she said.
She further claimed that Aceng lacks an independent political base in Lango, alleging that her influence is sustained by external backing rather than grassroots support.
“Her position may be sustained by external forces, but it does not rest on the trust, confidence, or free choice of the people of Lango,” Amongi added.
Despite the outcome, Amongi maintained that her legitimacy and connection with the people of Lira City remain intact, pledging to continue engaging the community on key development issues.
The remarks underscore growing political tensions in northern Uganda, particularly in the Lango sub-region, where local contests are increasingly influenced by broader national dynamics and shifting alliances.
