Uganda Police has arrested Hon. Betty Amongi in Ireda Shamba for distributing Kitenge materials & body creams, raising allegations of voter inducement.
Amongi, the Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development and current MP for Oyam South, is contesting in Lira City for the Woman MP seat under the UPC ticket.
The Parliamentary Elections Act of 2005 classifies voter inducement through gifts or money as bribery, punishable by a fine of up to 72 currency points, imprisonment of up to three years, or both.
Despite her long tenure as a legislator and government official, Amongi has often been accused of acting in disregard to several of Uganda’s laws.
In a circulating video clip, she is heard insisting that the materials were her campaign uniform bearing her name and photo. Whether the Kitenge fabrics and body creams qualify as legitimate campaign materials or unlawful inducements is now a matter for the authorities to determine.
Lira City Investigator