Opinion: How NRM scored in Lango by appointing Betty Amongi to cabinet
Lango sub region has over time been a difficult political arena for any other political party other than the Uganda People's Congress (UPC). This is partly because Lango is home for UPC's founding father Dr. Milton Obote.
The National Resistance Movement (NRM) has for a long period of time been struggling to gain political capital in the region but it's not until the last election that they managed to salvage some victory.
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The appointment of Hon Betty Amongi to serve in NRM government was partly a score card for the ruling party according to sources in the region. This has however not been welcomed by some few NRM leaders in the region who claim the President is favoring opposition at the cost of his own members of the party.
It is said that Amongi commands support from majority MPs from this region and it's the reason she was voted Chairperson of the Lango Parliamentary group replacing the Hon. Okot Ogong. A source close to one of the MPs from the region confirms the Hon Minister has always been a confidant to many MP's and on several occasions secured for them meetings with the head of State.
The Minister of lands Hon Betty Amongi who has been vibrant in very many land matters also currently handles all the President's affairs in this region. The cultural and religious leaders recognize her vigorous efforts in pushing the region's development agenda using her position as a minister in the central government. This has caused anger and fury in a certain group of leaders who think they are being sidelined by the President or just have a sense of entitlement towards to the President.
It should also be noted that Hon Amongi is one of the longest serving members of parliament serving her fourth term in parliament. She is well grounded financially with incredible lobbying skills. Lira was actually recently put in line for city status because her robust lobbying skills. She has also invested heavily in the region, one of the reasons why many of her opponents have continuously hit the panic button.
