LIRA CITY– A strong and coordinated response from the National Resistance Movement (NRM) grassroots in Lira City has forcefully rejected recent allegations made by Gender Minister Betty Amongi Akena, with the rebuttal being spearheaded by key figures including Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng’s chief advisor, George Okot.
The leaders have uniformly condemned Minister Amongi’s NBS television statements where she alleged that Dr. Aceng “removed and chased” NRM chairpersons to recruit them into the opposition UPC—as a politically motivated “smear campaign” designed to create artificial division ahead of elections.
Strategic Rebuttal from Aceng’s Inner Circle
Adding significant weight to the dismissal,George Okot a lead petitioner and chief advisor to Dr. Aceng—publicly framed the allegations as a diversion. He assured journalists that the coalition behind Aceng would not allow propaganda to mislead voters. “The people of Lira City have made up their minds to ensure that Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng retains her parliamentary seat,” Okot stated, emphasizing that their campaign would remain anchored on “issues and development, rather than mudslinging.”
His statement signals a strategic, high-level response from Aceng’s camp, positioning the narrative around voter intent and developmental accountability rather than engaging in personal counter-accusations.
Grassroots Leaders Condemn “Politics of Personality”
The sentiment was echoed across the NRM’s local structures.David Sabiti, a seasoned NRM mobilizer and ward chairperson, labeled Amongi’s claims “baseless and nonexistent,” asserting that chairpersons are focused on protecting party gains and mobilizing for President Museveni and Dr. Aceng. “Such propaganda will not distract us,” Sabiti declared.
Ogom Olet Bobi Sam, a parish chairperson and party veteran, directly assured Dr. Aceng of their “full support and backing,” dismissing Amongi’s allegations as “useless propaganda.” He questioned Amongi’s own legacy, urging her to account for her parliamentary performance since 2001 instead of spreading what he called fabrications.
Defense of Aceng’s Development Record
Amid the political rebuttals,leaders highlighted Aceng’s tangible achievements as the core reason for her support. Voter Emmanuel Okello, a resident since 1996, praised Aceng as a “result-oriented leader,” specifically crediting her with the modernization of the Lira Regional Referral Hospital. He expressed dismay at the “politics of personality” introduced by Amongi, which he said contradicts Lira’s political culture.
Innocent Ogweng, a city resident, clarified that the NRM’s internal “Baraza” system is a standard disciplinary process—not a political purge and called for a return to issue-based politics. “Desist from politics of propaganda, character assassination and smear campaign,” he urged Amongi, challenging all candidates to present clear agendas to voters.
David Sabiti also took the opportunity to condemn recent violence at a UPC rally in Lira where journalists were attacked,stressing that such acts threaten the peace required for development.
The unified message from the NRM base strategically reinforced by Aceng’s chief advisor ultimately reframes the electoral contest. It paints Amongi’s allegations as an external distraction and positions Aceng’s camp as disciplined, development-focused, and confident in the support of an organized grassroots structure. The leaders reiterated that the NRM’s priority remains securing victory for its flag bearers in 2026, not entertaining what they deem baseless propaganda.
