By Eye Media Uganda | December 11, 2025
Special Presidential Assistant for Press and Mobilization also Deputy Presidential Press Secretary, Hajji Faruk Kirunda has taken a direct swipe at UPC President Jimmy Akena, challenging him to tell his wife—Gender, Labour and Social Development Minister Betty Amongi—to resign from President Museveni’s Cabinet if he truly believes the President interfered in his disqualification from the 2026 presidential race.
Kirunda, quoting from his X (formerly Twitter) statements and media engagements, wondered how Akena could attack the same government that employs his wife at ministerial level.
“If Mr. Akena believes President Museveni meddled in his disqualification, why is his wife still serving in the same Cabinet? Can he show leadership and ask her to resign from her boss—whom he accuses of being ‘bad and malicious’?” Kirunda charged.
He accused Akena of playing double standards, saying the UPC leader was grandstanding in the media without producing a shred of evidence to back his claims.
Kirunda further questioned why Akena never raised the allegations within IPOD, the inter-party dialogue platform where he sits as a member.
“Can he provide evidence? Has he ever raised these so-called concerns with IPOD? Or is this simply political theatrics?” Kirunda asked.
The remarks have intensified the pressure on Akena, who has faced criticism for what analysts call “political convenience”—attacking the government publicly while maintaining high-level representation in the same administration through his wife.
The debate now shifts to Akena’s next move:
Will he stand by his accusations—or take Kirunda’s challenge head on?
