Lira, Uganda | Independent Lira City Woman MP aspirant Aceng Patricia Ogwang has dismissed claims that she is a “planted candidate” in the 2026 general elections.
The allegations, widely circulated on social media and in community discussions, suggest her candidacy is a political strategy intended to split votes between two high-profile ministers, Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, the current Woman MP and Minister of Health, and Betty Amongi, the Gender, Labour and Social Development Minister and Oyam South MP, who recently changed her polling station to Lira City to contest the same seat.
Aceng Patricia said the accusations were false and designed to damage her reputation and manipulate public perception.
She alleged that the smear campaign was being driven by supporters from the rival camp of the Health Minister.
Aceng warned that individuals who continue to make defamatory claims without facts would face legal consequences.
She stated that she was guided by law and integrity and described the propaganda being spread against her as baseless.
She made it clear that she would not tolerate efforts to undermine her candidacy through misinformation.
Aceng emphasized that her bid for office was legitimate and founded on the constitutional right of every citizen to contest for leadership.
She said her decision to enter the race was motivated by the need to foster development in Lira City and not to serve the interests of any faction.
She stressed that her campaign’s goal was not to divide the electorate but to provide honest and development-focused leadership.
According to her, the people of Lira City deserved a representative who prioritised service delivery and understood their challenges, rather than one driven by political maneuvering.
She further expressed her confidence in the upcoming electoral process, saying she was prepared to go through the official nomination phase in September 2025 and would present herself to the electorate during the January 2026 general elections.
She urged the public to remain focused on issue-based politics and to reject narratives aimed at creating division.
The 2026 Woman MP race in Lira City is now viewed as one of the most competitive in northern Uganda.
With two sitting ministers contesting, the entry of Aceng Patricia, a relatively new but increasingly popular candidate, has introduced a third political force that analysts say could significantly influence voting patterns, especially among undecided and independent voters.
Though running as an independent, Aceng Patricia is widely known to be NRM-leaning and was previously registered under the ruling party until her removal from its register, which some supporters have described as controversial.
Community leaders and residents have publicly declared their support for her candidacy.
Atim Sarah, the former chairperson of Ipito Aweno SACCO, affirmed that Aceng had long demonstrated practical leadership and was active in grassroots mobilisation.
Atim claimed that her removal from the NRM register was unjustified and that she had consistently acted in the community’s interest.
Local residents such as Okello Peter from Barogole Ward commended Aceng for her accessibility and hands-on approach to local challenges.
He noted that she had shown commitment to serving the people and was not disconnected from the community, qualities he said Lira City urgently needed in a representative.
In her concluding remarks, Aceng advised her supporters to ignore those spreading divisive rhetoric and to stay committed to the campaign’s core message of unity, development, and truth.
She cautioned those spreading false information that there would be consequences under the law, and reiterated that every action carried accountability.
With political momentum building ahead of the nomination period, Aceng Patricia is striking a chord with key segments of the electorate, particularly women and youth, who are increasingly disillusioned with the status quo.
Though the battle between the two incumbent ministers has dominated early narratives, Aceng’s rapid rise, grassroots appeal, and unwavering clarity of purpose suggest she could reshape the race and challenge long-standing political loyalties in Lira City.
