LIRA CITY – A coalition of NRM party chairpersons, mobilizers, and senior cadres in Lira City have publicly and forcefully refuted allegations made by Gender Minister Betty Amongi Akena, stating that the claims are a baseless propaganda tactic meant to cause panic within the ruling party.
The leaders, during a meeting on Sunday, expressed their unwavering support for Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng Ocero, the incumbent Woman MP and NRM Chairperson for Lira City, and condemned what they termed as “politics of personality” being introduced by Minister Amongi.
The rebuttal was triggered by Minister Amongi’s statement on NBS television , in which she claimed that Dr. Aceng had “removed and chased” some NRM chairpersons in Lira City and recruited them into her team.
Emmanuel Okello, a long-time Lira City voter since 1996, voiced the shock of many at the new political culture being introduced. “We are shocked about the behaviour, the culture of politics Gender Minister Betty Amongi Akena is bringing in Lira City, citing politics of personality which has never been in Lira before,” Okello stated.
He commended Dr. Aceng as a “result-oriented leader” with “evidence-based development,” crediting her specifically for the modernization of the Lira Regional Referral Hospital. He criticized Amongi’s bid to contest in Lira City as “ignorance,” arguing that Aceng “deserves to be rewarded with more term as a good leader.”
David Sabiti, a seasoned NRM mobilizer and chairperson for Adikdik Gweno( A) in Boke Ward, labeled Amongi’s statement as “baseless, fault, anddoesn’t exist.” He asserted that NRM chairpersons were busy protecting the party’s gains and had no time for such panic-inducing propaganda.
“We don’t need any panic caused by Betty Amongi Akena’s smear campaign and propaganda her falsehood will not work,” Sabiti declared. He challenged Amongi to stop interfering with NRM issues and focus on the internal conflicts within her own party, UPC.
Defense of Party Integrity and Electoral Focus
Ogom Olet Bobi Sam, a parish chairperson and NRM veteran, directly disregarded the allegation that Aceng chased away party chairpersons. He assured Dr. Aceng of their “full support and backing,” dismissing Amongi’s claims to the contrary as a “smear campaign.”
“We are assuring Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng Ocero to remain firmly, steady fast and focused. All will be well,” Olet stated, urging Aceng to continue her developmental programs.
Addressing another allegation, Sam Bobi Olet refuted claims that Dr. Aceng was deleting voters from the register, stating she “doesn’t have the mandate to do that.”
Further clarifying the party’s position, Innocent Ogweng, a city resident, explained that the NRM uses a “Baraza” system to weed out indisciplined and disloyal members. He dismissed the propaganda that members were chased away during party structure elections, stating it was a normal party disciplinary process.
Call for Issue-Based Politics
Throughout the meeting, speakers consistently called for a shift from personal attacks to politics of development. Innocent Ogweng criticized Amongi’s plans, asking her to “desist from politics of propaganda, character assassination and smear campaign to politics of presenting to voters clear agenda.”
He challenged all of Dr. Aceng’s rivals to emulate her approach and avoid personal attacks and violence.
David Sabiti also took a moment to condemn the recent attack on media personnel at a UPC rally in Lira, emphasizing that violence undermines the peace and security fundamental to development.
In a final note, Sabiti reiterated the party’s focus, saying, “NRM is now focusing on the victory of party president Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and other party flag bearers in the 2026 election. We don’t have time for propaganda.”
The unified front presented by the NRM grassroots in Lira City signals a firm dismissal of the internal rift alleged by Minister Amongi, positioning the upcoming electoral contest as one o
