Lira ‘FDC leaders endorse’ NRM’s Aceng for second term

Leaders of the opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party in Lira City have “endorsed” Health Minister, Dr Jane Ruth Aceng, as their preferred aspirant for the city’s Woman MP seat in the 2026 general election.

A total of 253 FDC members, including the party’s city general secretary Newton Freddie Okello and the party’s city chairman Denis Obote, expressed their support for Dr Aceng during a meeting held at the minister’s residence in Lira City East Division on March 15, 2025, according to a statement issued on Wednesday, March 19, 2025.

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The FDC leaders who also included Mr Moses Etyang (FDC chairman of Lira City East Division), his Lira City West Division counterpart, Mzee Bonny Ogwal and Ms Jane Oroma, the party chairperson for Women’s League of Lira City, said they are backing Dr Aceng for the second term because of what they described as her outstanding leadership and commitment to the development of Lira City.

They also pledged to mobilise support for her in the 2026 general election.

The decision followed a month-long consultation process conducted by FDC leaders across the city, the Wednesday statement added.

While acknowledging their opposition to the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) government, FDC members argued that Lira City’s future was at stake.

The FDC leaders emphasised their commitment to an issue-based and peaceful campaign, rejecting any form of intimidation, blackmail, or personal attacks in the political contest.

They clarified that their support for Dr Aceng is solely based on her performance as Lira City Woman MP and as Uganda’s Health minister, further stressing that they have not defected to the NRM and remain firm within the FDC.

They urged voters in Lira City to renew Dr Aceng’s mandate in 2026 to ensure continued progress for the city.

However, the Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Ms Betty Amongi, a member of Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) is working tirelessly to uproot NRM’s Aceng from the seat.

Ms Amongi said “the desperate plan” by Dr Aceng to parade people as FDC and UPC who are purportedly endorsing her, was brought to her attention two weeks ago.

“Besides FDC, she is also mobilising some people who are supposed to endorse her as the UPC convert. Before those ‘FDC’ went for the meeting, some of them sought my permission, which I granted.  Another group purported to be UPC is also being mobilised, and I have authorised them to attend her meetings and ‘endorse’ her. FDC failed to protect the seat they held in Dokolo after fronting the daughter of Hon.Cecilia Ogwal, they have been wiped away from Lango, coming third,” Ms Amongi told this reporter in a Thursday, March 20, 2025 phone text.

She added: “My campaign in Lira City is a people’s movement against the dictatorial leadership of the incumbent; we are liberating ourselves from the intimidation, arrests, and the tyranny being meted on the people. It knows no party, religion, or class, that’s why my candidature is embraced by everyone. And that’s why the incumbent is in a panic mood! She knows her fate.”