Lira City – The Minister of Gender, Labour, and Social Development, Hon. Betty Amongi Akena, has stated that anyone who aspires to be a leader in Lira City should possess the title “Big Size” in terms of financial capacity and leadership skills.
Amongi made this statement while launching the rehabilitation of a bridge that she personally sponsored to the tune of 850 million Uganda Shillings on Saturday, March 1, 2025.
Thousands of residents living in Omito, Anyomorem, and Akwiaworo wards were filled with joy as Hon. Betty Amongi Akena swung into action by personally constructing a bridge at a cost of 850 million UGX and distributing over 3,000 hoes on the same day. The event was witnessed by several local residents, who named the bridge after her as “Amongi Akena Bridge.”
Minister Betty Amongi launched work on the Omito-Anyomorem swamp, stating that leading a city like Lira requires a “Big Size leader” who is always ready to inject millions into projects that directly benefit the citizens. The Minister said that once completed, the swamp project would ease transportation and improve business and healthcare in the area.
Hon. Odongo Denis Odul mentioned that since 1971, the people of Anyomorem and Akwiaworo have been suffering due to the poor state of the road in Lira. He urged the people of Lira City to carefully vote for Hon. Betty Amongi Akena of UPC in the 2026 elections due to her “Big Size” in terms of capacity.
Dina Bua, a strong political coordinator of Betty Amongi and a member of NRM, warned anyone interfering with the construction of the Anyomorem Bridge not to interfere with the ongoing work, which is being funded by the efforts of Hon. Betty Amongi Akena.
Hon. Acen Judith, a female councilor representing the people of Ireda Ward in the Lira City East Division, said that Betty Amongi is the way forward if Lira City is to develop further, citing her efforts in repairing several boreholes and launching ongoing projects to improve the city.
Meanwhile, Hon. Atto Doris Oyuku, a female councilor representing the people of Anyomorem in the City East Council, stated that recently, Betty Amongi visited Omito Ward to distribute 2,000 hoes to women. When her constituents alerted her to the sorry state of the bridge linking Anyomorem to Omito Ward, she immediately responded by kickstarting the bridge’s construction.
Morris Okello, the contractor for the bridge, said the culvert on the bridge will have 15 lines. Other features, such as water channels and a standard width of 8 meters with 8 walls, will be constructed soon, as work is already at 60% completion.
Daniel Okello, the District Speaker of Lira City West Division, commended Betty Amongi for such a remarkable development, which will have a long-lasting impact. However, Okello, a 46-year-old resident of Akwiaworo, promised to campaign and vote for Betty Amongi Akena in the 2026 election.
