Lira, Uganda | Minister for Gender, Labour and Social Development, Hon. Betty Amongi Akena, on Sunday May 4, 2025, launched a multi-faceted poverty eradication campaign in Lira City East Division, where she distributed maize seeds to thousands of residents and unveiled several community-based initiatives aimed at improving livelihoods.
The event, held at Acwii-kot Primary School in Gwengabara, attracted a large crowd, each of whom received 2 kilograms of maize seeds.
Amongi, who is also a candidate for Lira City Woman MP in the 2026 elections under UPC party, explained that the seed distribution was part of a broader strategy to empower residents economically and demonstrate her care for their well-being.
She stated that her visit was not political, but a gesture to provide practical support to the community in addressing poverty.
Mzee Simon Opio Okaka encouraged residents to take the maize distribution seriously, urging them to plant the seeds with the aim of generating income to pay school fees and meet other family needs.
Councilor Denis Odongo Otul, who represents Lira City East B and serves as Amongi’s political assistant, praised the Minister’s initiative. He commended her commitment to fighting poverty by directly empowering women and providing practical solutions for community development.
He advised those who received the seeds to plant them wisely, so they could grow and use the harvest to generate money for their children’s education.
Amongi unveiled a vocational skills training program aimed at single mothers, young men, and school dropouts. The training, set to begin next week for the people in Barapwo, would cover skills such as tailoring, baking, salon work, and mechanics. She said that the same would also happen for people of Gwengabara.
A community committee was elected to lead and oversee the program’s implementation. Amongi assured the crowd that successful trainees would receive the necessary equipment to start their own businesses.
She emphasized that this initiative was not politically motivated but was instead a genuine effort to bring about positive change in the lives of the people.
Amongi revealed plans to support contract farming for soya cultivation. She outlined that interested farmers would need at least 4 hectares of land, and they would buy under organized contracts. She expressed her belief in creating opportunities for the people to generate income through such structured agricultural activities.
The Minister committed to repairing all non-functional water sources in Lira City, highlighting that leadership should be demonstrated through tangible results and not empty promises. She noted that people are often tired of hearing about plans without seeing real action.
Amongi also promised to provide Mama Kits to all pregnant mothers and said that she would bring a community lawyer to assist residents who are facing legal challenges.
Additionally, she pledged to deliver an ambulance, a pick-up truck, and a mini-bus to meet various community needs.
Santa Angella, a local councilor, praised Amongi for her consistent outreach to communities such as Ngetta, Omito, Boroboro, Angwetangwet, Iwal, and Barapwo. She noted that the Minister had addressed the genuine needs of the community through her actions, rather than just words.
The residents showed overwhelming support for Amongi’s 2026 parliamentary candidacy, with many acknowledging her direct impact on their lives through her practical efforts.
