MPs Castigate Akena for “Lying” To Lango

WRITTEN BY URN

Some legislators from Lango are rebuking the Uganda People’s Congress-UPC party president, Jimmy James Michael Akena, for allegedly “lying” to the people of Lango about his intention to contest the presidency in the forthcoming general elections.

Akena, who is also the representative for Lira City East, is currently traversing the Dokolo district to solicit votes for the party’s flagbearer in the parliamentary by-election to replace the late Cecilia Atim Ogwal, the former Dokolo Woman MP. He is also using the opportunity to reiterate his ambition to contest against President Museveni in 2026.   However, various politicians campaigning for their party candidates have advised voters in Dokolo not to listen to Akena, branding him as untrustworthy. Dokolo South Member of Parliament Felix Okot Ogong stated that Akena will never contest for the presidency and accused him of using false promises to garner support for his candidate. Ogong urged people not to vote for Akena solely because he is the son of the late President Apollo Milton Obote.

Okot Ogong said, “Akena is UPC, and he has his constituency in Lira City, not here. Have you ever seen him here? Has he helped you in your churches? Has he assisted in road construction? We have never seen him. Do not let him deceive you that UPC will win the elections and take over government in 2026. Can Akena from here defeat Museveni in elections? Is that possible? It will never happen. Some of you may say, ‘I want to see Akena, Obote’s son…’ Isn’t Okot Ogong also a son of Ogong Nery? Aren’t you someone’s son? What someone is saying, ‘I am back to contest and I will win,’ is lies.”

Moses Junior Okot Bitek, the Kyoga County MP, questioned how Akena, who has never contested to become a chairman of any committee in parliament, could aspire to the presidency.

“I have heard someone telling you that he will contest to become the president. This is my first term in parliament and I contested to become the speaker and I got 84 votes (I’m sure you heard that) but this person has been in parliament for many years and he has never contested to become even just a chairperson of any committee but he only concentrates here. He is like a tame bull which keeps chasing away other productive bulls from the kraal but he is here in Lango saying Lango is his…. please help me.”

 

In his response, Jimmy Akena stated that he is engaged in a multi-party democratic process, which involves competition, and he will always campaign for his candidates instead of attacking his opponents.

He emphasized his presidential aspirations for 2026, asserting that his agenda is to uplift the standards of living for the people of Uganda, not to engage in conflict or remove anyone from power.

Meanwhile, Sarah Aguti, the UPC party candidate, dismissed allegations that she is uneducated, stating that the electoral commission would not nominate someone who lacks education. She pledged to prioritize road infrastructure and education if elected.

Dokolo district is set to hold polls on Thursday, March 21st, to elect a woman to replace Imat Cecilia Ogwal in Parliament. Seven candidates, including Ogwal’s daughter, have been nominated and are currently campaigning for votes.