The Minister of Health, Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng has declared her intention to contest as the Woman Member of Parliament, Lira district in the 2021 General Elections.
The Minister said she will contest on the NRM ticket because she has worked with the government and it has given her support on a number of occasions.
She made a declaration on Sunday while in Lira district after wide consultations with the electorate and encouragement by members of the public.
Aceng said that for the past two years, many people have been asking her to declare her political intention, noting that she had to critically think about it before airing it out.
“Many of them have also called whereas others have encouraged me to take up a political position. Today I am declaring openly that I am taking up a political position as a representative of the women in Lira district and I will contest for that position,” Aceng said.
She applauded the people of Lango for the “great love” they have showed her and the blessings she has got while serving in the Health ministry for 15 years that saw President Museveni appoint her as the Director General of Health Services.
“I will stand under the National Resistance Movement party. Again, I want to appreciate the people of Lango for their love and encouragement. Since they have seen the good in me, they will continue to see it and vote for me.”
The current Lira Woman MP is Joy Atim Ongom who subscribes to Uganda People’s Congress (UPC).
Lira is a stronghold of the UPC since the party founder Apollo Milton Obote hails from the district.
Aceng said her decision to contest for the Lira seat was formed by the decision to unseat UPC and to give the area better representation under the ruling party.
Aceng, 52 has been Uganda’s Minister of Health since 2016 and she recently served as the Executive Director for Lira regional referral hospital and Director General of Medical Services before being appointed Health Minister in 2016.
Born in 1968, Aceng attended Shimoni Primary School and Nabisunsa Girls Secondary School before joining Makerere University.
She holds a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery, Master of Medicine in paediatrics and a Master of Public health, all from the Makerere University College of Health Sciences.
Aceng also holds a Diploma in Health Systems Management from the Galilee International Management Institute in Israel.
