Amongi Rebukes Aceng Over Witchcraft Claims in Lira Election Dispute

By skika Reporter

Gender Minister Betty Amongi has strongly criticised Health Minister Jane Ruth Aceng over remarks suggesting that witchcraft played a role in the recent Lira City Woman Member of Parliament (WMP) election, intensifying an already heated political standoff.

In a sharply worded response, Amongi dismissed Aceng’s statements as “reckless” and accused her of lowering the standard of public discourse by introducing superstition into political debate.

Aceng had reportedly made the remarks during a birthday event for the Chief of Defence Forces, where she attributed her electoral victory to divine intervention while implying that her opponent relied on witchcraft.

Amongi rejected the claims outright, describing herself as a committed Catholic who does not believe in witchcraft. She argued that such rhetoric distracts from pressing national concerns, particularly challenges in the health sector and broader development priorities.

The dispute follows a closely contested election in which Aceng secured 38,000 votes against Amongi’s 26,199. Despite the outcome, Amongi maintains that the process was neither free nor fair. She alleges that security agencies were involved in influencing the result and claims that senior political figures played a role in orchestrating electoral interference.

These allegations, however, remain unverified, with no official responses issued by the accused parties at the time of reporting.

Amongi explained that her initial silence after the election was intended to prevent unrest in Lira and the wider Lango sub-region. She emphasized that her restraint should not be mistaken for acceptance of the results, adding that she remains committed to engaging with her constituents and addressing local development challenges.

The escalating exchange underscores growing political tensions in northern Uganda, where local contests are increasingly shaped by broader national interests. What began as a dispute over campaign rhetoric has evolved into a wider debate about electoral integrity, leadership credibility, and the influence of state institutions in democratic processes.