Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development Betty Amongi has responded Health Minister Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, who recently declared that she would “teach Amongi a political lesson” in the upcoming 2026 general election.
Amongi dismissed the threat, saying no individual can teach her politics except the voters.
She emphasized her 25-year track record in politics and deep roots at the grassroots level.
“No, nobody can teach me politics. In my 25 years in politics, I know that the only people who can teach me politics are the voters,” says Amongi, who served as Member of Parliament in Apac, and Oyam and now seeking to unseat Aceng in Lira City.
Amongi, who earlier this year shifted her voter location to Lira City and announced her intention to contest for the Woman MP seat currently held by Dr. Aceng, said she is ready to face the electorate come January 12, 2026.
“I am ready for the voters to teach me politics on the 12th of January 2026. My only strength in politics is the grassroots, it's the people,” she said.
Her remarks follow Dr. Aceng’s earlier statement in which the Health Minister vowed to “discipline” Amongi politically, signaling what has become one of the most closely watched political battles ahead of the 2026 elections.
“I am not worried about honorable Betty Amongi, and I don’t want anyone to discourage her from coming to stand. I want her to come and stand in Lira City. There is no other person who will discipline her except Jane Ruth Aceng,” Dr Aceng said shortly after her nomination by the NRM electoral commission.
But, Amongi said recent youth elections in Lira City in which her party, UPC, won majority of the village-level youth positions demonstrated her strength on the ground, claiming her team.
“That is already a signal that the victory for 2026 is defined. The person who will be voted is the person with the grassroots structure,” she said.
At the recent World Sickle Cell day commemoration at Mayor’s garden in Lira City, Dr Aceng told voters to question Amongi’s contribution towards the development of Lira City.
“There are also others looking for votes. Ask them what they have brought from the ministry where they work. While asking, tell them Aceng brought health centres, blood bank, and incinerator. What is it that Aceng has not done that you want to do is what we want to hear,” Dr Aceng told a gathering at Lira Mayor’s garden.
For her part, Amongi said the Ministry of Gender has negotiated with health insurance companies for packages that target vulnerable groups.
“Most of the mainstream insurance companies fear to cater for older persons. So our package will focus on them and it has five different packages. The people supporting this initiative are ready to come and launch the programme,” she said.
Amongi also defended her position as a national leader beyond partisan lines, referring to the time her appointment as minister was questioned by some NRM leaders.
She revealed that President Museveni personally defended her appointment, saying it was based on her capacity to serve the country, not her political party affiliation.
“There are things which are above political parties. When we do work like what I am doing now, I am doing work for the country, for the people of Uganda,” she said.
She noted that over 12 ministers in the current cabinet are independents or from other political backgrounds, adding that the President selects individuals based on competence and contribution to national development.
“Political parties are only dressing. What is important is that we serve humanity and our country above party,” she said.
The rivalry between Aceng and Amongi has stirred tension in Lira City and across Lango, with both women wielding significant influence politically and administratively.
While Aceng is a senior figure in the ruling NRM party, Amongi has long been associated with UPC and currently serves as an NRM-aligned minister.
Recently, President Museveni summoned both ministers to State House last month, urging them to avoid public confrontations and to focus on serving the people.