By Ben Musanje
Health Minister Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng made headlines on Monday, not only with her announcement on malaria prevention but also for surprising the crowd with a call for voters to relocate to Lira City ahead of the 2026 general elections.
The event took place under tents at the National Medical Stores (NMS) headquarters in Kajjansi, along Entebbe Road, with Dr. Aceng scheduled to speak at 2:00 p.m.
However, because of busy schedule the Minister’s arrival was unusually delayed a bit, walking in a few minutes past 3pm. As soon as she took over the podium, she quickly apologized for the delay, sparking a quiet surprise among attendees.
“I hope you’ll accept my apology,” she said, flashing a smile. “When I walked in and saw everyone in wellness uniforms, I couldn’t help but wonder, ‘Are we running away or running in?’” Her lighthearted comment brought a burst of laughter, easing any tension.
By the time Dr. Aceng arrived, the event had already begun, with speeches from NMS General Manager Moses Kamabare, Dr. Charles Olaro, the Director General of Health Services, and Dr. Andrew Bakainaga, the World Health Organization (WHO) Representative.
Dr. Aceng explained that she had been attending a prior event with an unnamed ambassador before turning to the main issue of the day: launching the 2025 mosquito net campaign aimed at tackling Uganda’s growing malaria crisis.
The campaign, a significant part of the government’s efforts to reduce malaria-related deaths, will distribute 25.8 million nets across 130 districts. Dr. Aceng stressed the urgency of the situation, revealing that the malaria prevalence rate had risen from 9.2% in 2018 to 12.5% this year.
But it wasn’t just about malaria nets. As the event progressed, Dr. Aceng took the crowd by surprise when she called on voters from Lira City to relocate to their home region ahead of the 2026 elections.
“I want to remind voters from Lira City to make sure you relocate to Lira City to vote!” she said, subtly referencing her ongoing re-election campaign for Member of Parliament in Lira City. While she didn’t directly refer to her candidacy, as it had already been officially announced, the remark underscored her campaign strategy. The tents were abuzz with speculation over the timing and significance of her words.
Yet, Dr. Aceng quickly refocused the audience on the pressing health issue at hand. “Malaria deaths will not wait for the election,” she said, emphasizing that the government had to act swiftly to protect the population.
The mosquito net campaign, supported by the Global Fund and the United States, carries a price tag of $100 million and stands as one of Uganda’s largest malaria-fighting initiatives. The first phase will target 20 high-risk districts, including Lira, which is currently facing a major malaria outbreak. In this phase, over 3.4 million nets will be distributed, aiming to protect 8.5 million people.
As Dr. Aceng concluded her speech with a cheerful “Merry Christmas” and “Happy New Year,” attention shifted back to her political race back home in Lira City. With the 2026 elections drawing near, her call for Lira City voters to relocate only implied how focused she remains on bouncing back to the August House.
Dr. Aceng is expected to overcome the competition that the Gender Minister Betty Amongi Ongom, the current MP for Oyam South, has put up under the UPC ticket. The race is already shaping up to be one of the most closely watched political battles in the Lango Sub-region and the whole Uganda at large. Amongi, the Uganda People’s Congress flag-bearer, is the wife of party president Jimmy Akena who has vowed to do all he can to frustrate Gen Museveni’s re-election in Lango. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
