Who is Betty Amongi Ongom Akena? Flash Uganda Media looks at her biography, age, husband, children, family, work and experience, political career, and education of the current Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development.
Betty Amongi Ongom Akena, is a Ugandan politician, Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Member of Parliament representing the Oyam South Constituency, former Cabinet Minister of Kampala Capital City in the Cabinet of Uganda, effective 14 December 2019 till 2021.
Before that, from 6 June 2016 until 14 December 2019, Amongi served as the Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development in Uganda’s cabinet.
Despite serving as a Minister in the National Resistance Movement (NRM), Amongi still belongs to the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) party.
Early Life and Education
Betty Amongi Ongom was born on 15 November 1975 in Oyam District, Lango sub-region, Northern Region of Uganda to Mr Romano Ongom.
She attended Makerere University Kampala where she attained a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science and Public Administration in 1996.
Amongi later proceeded with school and obtained a Master of Arts in International Relations and Diplomatic Studies in 2009.
Politics
Betty Amongi was first elected to parliament in 2001. She has been re-elected in 2006, 2011, 2016 and 2021.
In a surprise move following the 20 February 2016 presidential and parliamentary elections, President Yoweri Museveni of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) political party, named her Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, despite her affiliation to the opposition Uganda People’s Congress (UPC).
In a cabinet reshuffle on 14 December 2019, she was named cabinet minister of Kampala Capital City, switching dockets with Beti Kamya-Turwomwe, who took over at Lands, Housing and Urban Development.
And following the 2021 general elections, Amongi was named Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development in Uganda’s cabinet led by president-elect, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
After her university education, Amongi worked for only two years and contested for the Oyam South Constituency Parliamentary seat in 2001, a position she won. And ever since her election to parliament, she has served in various positions;
Chairperson of the elected representatives to the Juba Peace Talk between the government of Uganda and the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) which ended the 24 years old war in Northern Uganda in 2009.
Chairperson of the Great Lakes Parliamentary Forum on Peace (AMANI), a regional Parliamentary Forum which advocates for Conflicts Resolution in the Great Lakes Region.
Chairperson of the Common Wealth Women Parliamentary Forum Uganda Chapter.
Chairperson of Uganda Parliamentary Association (UWOPA) working to engender parliamentary agenda for the last 5 years.
Board Member of the Parliamentary Forum on Small Arms and Light Weapons advocating for global reduction in the proliferation of small arms and light weapons.
Uganda delegates to ACP/EU JPA where she worked to engage European Development Cooperation to sign a fair trade deal with African Countries on development cooperation.
Global Member of Parliamentarian for Global Action (PGA) campaigning for ratification of the Rome Statute by various countries.
Amongi also worked as Secretary Ugandan Parliamentary Association.
Committees
- Foreign Affairs Trade and Investment Committee
- Appointments Committee
- National Economy Committee
- Health and Education Committee
Family
Betty Amongi is married to Jimmy Akena Obote, the son of Milton Obote former president of Uganda and a two time Prime Minister, UPC president and MP Lira Municipality.
The two got married on n 6 April 2013.
The traditional marriage took place in Minakulu sub-county, Oyam District and was attended by 32 Members of Parliament. President Yoweri Museveni, a friend of the couple, also attended the wedding.
Before her marriage to Akena, Amongi was married to Dr James Ocwa who lives in the United States, and together they have a son.
The couple separated in 2005 having been married on July 19, 2003.
During her marriage to Akena, Dr Ocwa wanted Amongi’s father to return the bride price paid at the time he married Amongi.
However, Amongi’s father and Amongi herself objected to the move auguring that what Dr Ocwa gave to the family as a gift.
And to Amongi, Dr Ocwa had never contributed anything towards raising their son. She said what she had invested in their son is far higher than what he gave out during their traditional marriage.
Dr Ocwa gave Amongi’s father 10 cows.
Religion
Roman Catholic.
