KAMPALA. In the swiftly evolving parliamentary leadership Health Minister Jane Ruth Aceng has been tipped to be the ruling National Resistance Movement candidate for Deputy Speaker office.
The move ,according to insiders , is aimed at balancing regional interests following the death of former Speaker Jacob Oulanyah.
Highly placed sources in NRM say the emerging plan could see Defence Minister Jacob Oboth- Oboth elevated to Speaker of Parliament while current Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa is moved to Cabinet in a senior ministerial role.
Under the same arrangement, Vice President Jessica Alupo is expected to retain her position, leaving the Deputy Speakership as one of the key offices through which NRM could reward Northern Uganda for its overwhelming support in the January 2026 elections.
Insiders further intimated to us that Ms Aceng’s name has gained traction among top decision making honchos in NRM because she combines technocratic experience, strong mobilisation credentials in Lango and growing national visibility following her stewardship of the Health Ministry during difficult periods including the COVID-19 pandemic.
Her possible elevation would also carry strong symbolic significance in Northern Uganda, where many leaders have quietly argued that the region lost a powerful voice after Oulanyah’s death in 2022.
Oulanyah, an Acholi politician, had defeated former Speaker Rebecca Kadaga in a fiercely contested NRM internal race before later dying while still serving as Speaker.
Sources within the ruling party say rewarding Lango through Aceng’s appointment is increasingly being viewed as politically strategic after the sub region voted heavily for President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni in the recently concluded general elections.
During a thanksgiving rally at Lango College Grounds attended by thousands of supporters, Museveni openly praised the region for what he called “massive votes” and wise political choices.
“Thank you very much for the massive votes you gave me, may God bless you,” Museveni told supporters, while urging leaders to ensure Parish Development Model and Emyooga programs reach more households.
Aceng, who welcomed Museveni during the event, said Lango had backed him with 80.4 percent of the vote and credited the NRM government for major improvements in healthcare and infrastructure in the region.
“I’m very happy to note that heart surgeries, brain surgeries, dialysis are all made in Lira hospital,” Aceng said, as senior NRM leaders framed the region’s voting pattern as a major political turning point.
Government Chief Whip Hamson Obua and ESO Director General Joseph Ocwet also praised Lango for backing Museveni overwhelmingly, with Ocwet saying development in the region had “gone beyond expectations.”
The emerging political calculations come amid intense maneuvering over the leadership of the 12th Parliament after Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba and the Patriotic League of Uganda have thrown their weight behind Oboth-Oboth for speakership after dumping outgoing Speaker Anita Annet Among .
If the arrangement materialises, analysts say it would allow the NRM to spread top government positions across key regions, with Alupo remaining Vice President from Eastern Uganda, Oboth Oboth becoming Speaker from Eastern Uganda, and Aceng taking the Deputy Speakership from Northern Uganda, while also easing internal tensions created after Oulanyah’s death. Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Norbert Mao who is already eying the coveted speakership seat is destined to retain is ministerial position if he quits the race.
Currently , insiders say Museveni continues consultations on who to bring in the next cabinet which he is expected to announce any time soon .Who is Jane Ruth Aceng :Early Life and Education
Jane Ruth Aceng was born on 11 May 1968 in Lira District. She attended Shimon Demonstration Primary School in Kampala, Uganda’s capital city sitting for her Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE) in 1980.
From Shimon, Jane Ruth Aceng joined Nabisunsa Girl’s Secondary School for both O and A-Level. She completed O-Level in 1984 and A-Level in 1987.
After, Aceng was admitted to Makerere University to study Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, graduating in 1993.
In 2003, Aceng attained a Master of Medicine in Pediatrics from Makerere University and a Master of Public Health 2012 from the same University College of Health Sciences.
She also holds a Diploma in Health Systems Management awarded by the Galilee International Management Institute, she attained in 2015 in Israel.
Work and Experience
Dr Aceng’s service began in 1993 as an intern Doctor at Mulago Hospital where she worked from 1993-1994
Then from 1994-1998, Aceng serviced as a medical officer at Lira Hospital.
1998-2000, Aceng worked as the Ag. Medical Superintendent Lira Hospital
2000-2003, she worked as the Medical Superintendent/Senior Medical Officer Lira Hospital
2003-2007, Senior House Officer Mulago Hospital
2007-2010, Medical Superintendent/Medical Special Grade Pediatrics Lira Regional Referral Hospital
2010-2011, Consultant Pediatrician/Medical Superintendent Lira Regional Referral Hospital
2011, Senior Consultant, Pediatrics Lira Regional Hospital
2005-2016, Member, Board of Directors, National Medical Stores
Minister of Health Government of Uganda 2016 to date
She also worked as a Director of Medical Services and served as executive director of Lira Regional Referral Hospital.
Other Considerations
Aceng is a member of the board of directors of the Infectious Disease Institute. She also served as a member of the board of Uganda National Medical Stores, the pharmaceutical procurement and distribution arm of the health ministry, from 2005 until 2016.
Family
Dr Jane Ruth Aceng is married to Dr Andrew Alyao Ocero.
Hobbies
• Listening to music
• Reading interacting with the community/networking