By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
LIRA
The political influence of the Obote family has suffered another setback following the defeat of Gender, Labour and Social Development minister Betty Amongi Akena in the Arua City Woman Member of Parliament race.
Amongi, who is married to Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) president Jimmy Akena, lost to Health minister Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng in a tightly contested election.
According to results announced by the Lira City Electoral Commission returning officer, Dr. Aceng polled about 38,000 votes against Amongi’s 26,199.
Amongi’s defeat signals further decline of Obote Family influence in national politics
The loss comes amid growing political challenges for the Obote family, following the Electoral Commission’s decision to block Akena’s nomination as a UPC presidential flag bearer. Akena has since claimed the decision was politically motivated and made on the orders of President Yoweri Museveni, an allegation government has previously dismissed.
After his nomination was blocked, Akena urged his supporters not to vote for Museveni in the presidential election.
“Do not vote for Museveni. Vote for any of the seven nominated candidates excluding him. If you do not want to vote for them, at least write my name on the ballot paper,” Akena told supporters.
Meanwhile, the Arua City race was marked by intense political mobilisation.
During a National Resistance Movement (NRM) rally in Lira City, Speaker of Parliament Anita Annet Among openly campaigned for Dr. Aceng, calling on the President to restrain Amongi from contesting against the incumbent.
“I am speaking as the second national vice chairperson. We cannot continue hobnobbing with people who do not believe in us,” Among said.
“Your Excellency, that patience of yours—enough is enough. We cannot allow people to step on a plate that has fed them.”
She further argued that Amongi, while serving in Museveni’s Cabinet, was using government facilities to fight NRM candidates.
Amongi’s defeat has been interpreted by some political analysts as a further erosion of the Obote family’s standing in Uganda’s national politics. The family traces its political legacy to Milton Obote, Uganda’s first Prime Minister and later President.
President Museveni has repeatedly criticised Obote’s administrations at public rallies, describing them as ineffective and accusing them of rigging the disputed 1980 elections—claims Museveni says forced him into the Luwero bush war that culminated in the NRM taking power in 1986.
Despite this history, the Obote family has remained politically active. Former First Lady Miria Obote previously contested against Museveni in presidential elections, while Jimmy Akena currently serves as Member of Parliament for Lira City East.
In 2016, Akena shelved his own presidential ambitions after UPC entered a cooperation agreement with the NRM, a deal that resulted in two UPC members; Amongi and Aceng—being appointed ministers. While Amongi retained her UPC membership, Aceng later crossed to the NRM, a move that further strained relations between the two parties.
