A meeting convened by Gender and Labour Minister Betty Amongi at the former president Milton Obote’s family home in Lira City, Lira District, was abruptly halted by a heavy police presence on Saturday. The police, numbering about 30, led by Lira City Central District Police Commander Abel Ruganza, arrived at the residence at 1:30 pm on the orders of Lira Resident City Commissioner Lawrence Emmy Egole, who deemed the gathering unlawful.
The meeting, attended by local council leaders from the city, was in progress when the police intervened. Amongi, who is also the spouse of Lira East MP Jimmy Akena, was addressing the gathering when DPC Ruganza ordered the immediate cessation of the meeting, citing its illegal nature and lack of security notification.
Despite a verbal exchange between Amongi and Ruganza, the police dispersed the gathering, which had attracted over 200 people. In August 2023, Amongi expressed interest in contesting for the Lira City Woman MP seat, and since then, she has hosted various events in Lira City, particularly those under the gender ministry.
In a press statement issued by Resident City Commissioner Lawrence Egole on December 29, he warned against unlawfully organized meetings in the city, stressing that they could result in criminal liability. Egole confirmed ordering the police intervention, emphasizing the illegality of the gathering and cautioning residents against participating in unlawful assemblies. Minister Amongi, however, insisted that she had notified national-level security about the meeting.
