Oyam South| tndNews spoke with dozens of Oyam South residents in Oyam district in recent weeks.
The discussions covered a wide range of topics, including service delivery, political representation in parliament, and their opinions on their MP Betty Amongi’s decision to leave them for politics in Lira City.
Constituents from Loro to Aber, Myene to Minakulu sub-counties, the majority of whom voted in 2021 and previous elections, expressed mixed and emotional feelings about their MP, who also serves as Minister of Gender, Labour, and Social Development.
In our first edition of “Their Voices,” we begin in Loro and Aber where women, men, and youth of various political affiliations spoke to us.
Obonyo Robert Johnathan, a resident of Loro Town Council’s Acankoma B Cell, stated that they are mourning the votes they gave MP Amongi especially in 2021.
“Imagine she has left us for another constituency without completing her term. Our voices are no longer heard in parliament.
“I want to alert the voters of Lira City: do not give her even one vote; her running for Lira City in 2026 is a sign of selfishness,” he said. “In terms of service delivery, the Lira City woman MP outperforms her. We need both Aceng and Amongi in the Cabinet.”
Acio Lucy, 60, is the Vice LC1 Chairperson of Loro Town Council’s Owiny Akullu Cell. She stated, “The money and projects intended for Oyam South are now enjoyed by the people of Lira City.”
“We lack representation in Parliament; she has never appeared since we elected her, and we have pressing issues; people in Lira City should not vote for Amongi.”
The local leader predicted that if Amongi remained in Oyam South in 2026, she would fail and fall badly, with even vegetables (such as okra) opposing her.
Female traders emotionally shared their thoughts with us. Warning: Some voices may sound offensive – we apologize!
One of the female traders in Loro Town Council told us that she has been mobilizing political support for Amongi and called her decision to run against MP and Minister Dr. Jane Aceng Ocero “the worst thing ever.”
This trader, an ardent UPC party supporter, added: “See how we are now; we do not know where our MP is; we are more like orphans, and as Loro Town Council members, we want her to come and apologize to us for misusing our rights after we voted for her.”
Speaking on the condition of anonymity, she sent the following message to the Lira City electorate: “My message to the voters of Lira City: do not vote for Amongi Betty.”
Listen to what they have to say.
Another trader and voter said the people of Oyam South are embarrassed. “We only admire good leadership in other constituencies. I think we should go and vote against Amongi in Lira City come 2026, she has failed us and to those who are her advisors, we need her back here to apologize.”
Peter Omara, a boda boda rider in Atapara, Aber, recalls Amongi’s constituency-level interventions, citing her financial support for burials and clothing for women during the active political period.
“Personally, I know her to be somewhat generous; her flaws have been present, but she refuses to listen; this is what Lira City should expect.”
When asked if Lira City is a good fit for her, he replied, “I do not think so; she has a mountain to climb there.”
Another voter in Adak A, Aber sub-county wished they could elect another Parliamentary representative to fill the “current gap” left by Amongi.
Francis Angor, LC3 chairperson of Aber sub-county and a staunch UPC member, also spoke out. “Amongi has been a good leader, and I know she has the constitutional right to run for office in Lira City in 2026.
“But it still baffles me why she goes to compete against her sister Aceng in Lira City. These are the two people we want as Lango in this government, and I am not sure what motivated her to make such a move.
“She left us at a time when we still needed her.”
Okunyu Nelson Patrick is the LC3 chairperson for Loro sub-county. He is perplexed as to why MP Amongi has chosen to leave her constituency in the middle of her term to serve in another. And as a result of her decision, a service gap exists, he stated.
“We are now surviving in the hands of those who have shown interest for Parliament in 2026 like Patrick Ogwang Obura.”
“I understand she has the right to contest anywhere the law allows, but she would have completed her term of office; we still have nearly one and a half years to finish the term, but we will not be able to see her for months.”
Isaah Otto Amiza, a former Oyam South MP from Loro, stated, “Amongi deserves to humiliate the voters of Oyam County South because, after all, she bought them to keep herself in Parliament, just as she has begun buying people in Lira City with Oyam County South resources.
Otto added, “That was the same thing she did when she was still married to Ochwa in Apac and abandoned Apac for Oyam County South, using the money earned there to pay her way to Oyam County South through a new buddy Akena.”
“Amongi knows that Lango is easy to bribe. Actually, in my opinion, Amongi should keep deceiving people. She understands that working for Lango is pointless, whereas giving them small gifts is a direct vote.”
Otto, who lost to Amongi for a seat in the 9th Parliament, told tndNews that Amongi receives votes from UPC members and then proceeds to receive financial rewards from Museveni and the NRM government without question from the UPC or her voters in Oyam County South.
“Amongi is the best Lango leader of the current era, people who have no value.”
Amongi stated she has made up her mind, and won’t listen to demands to fall back to Oyam South. In early January, she said “bye bye” to Oyam South, and committed to winning Lira City woman MP seat in 2026.
“Their Voices” is part of our local accountability and governance reporting initiative across Lango.
Additional Reporting by Omara Felix.
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