The Vice President of Uganda, Maj. (Rtd) Jessica Alupo, has been elected unopposed as the Chairperson of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Veterans League in Aketa Parish, Ongongoja Sub-county, Katakwi District.
Her unchallenged victory was officially declared on Monday by Parish Registrar Moses Otim during the NRM parish structure elections. Alupo will be deputized by Charles Amaitum.
Celebrating the moment as a reflection of unity and trust from her community, Alupo expressed gratitude for the confidence placed in her by local NRM supporters. She thanked the 210 NRM members from the seven villages that comprise Aketa Parish for electing her to lead the veterans’ league.
“I am committed to giving my all to strengthen our party and its ideology. I also pledge to champion the issues affecting our veterans,” she stated, drawing applause from the cheering crowd.
The Vice President emphasized the importance of the ongoing NRM parish-level elections across the country, noting that they aim to fill 30 grassroots positions crucial for party mobilization ahead of future national elections. These structures, she said, are key to implementing government programs effectively.
Alupo lauded the peaceful election process in Aketa, highlighting the free and fair participation that allowed members to choose their leaders without interference.
Residents welcomed Alupo’s unopposed election, viewing it as a testament to her strong influence both nationally and locally, and a reflection of her deep political roots in Katakwi District.
During her address, Alupo also spotlighted several ongoing development initiatives in the region. She noted significant improvements in road infrastructure, which have reduced travel time between Katakwi and Soroti from over five hours to just 30 minutes.
She also mentioned the operationalization of a ferry on Lake Bisina and the rehabilitation of the railway line from Busia to Congo, which is expected to enhance goods transportation.
The Vice President further revealed that the construction of cement factories in Karamoja would create employment opportunities for the local population.
Encouraging sustainable livelihoods, Alupo urged residents to embrace modern farming methods, such as keeping heifers for milk and Kroiler chickens for egg production, to boost household income.
She also stressed the importance of education, calling on parents to prioritize school enrollment now that educational resources are more readily available in rural areas. “Educating a child transforms families and opens doors to better opportunities,” she noted.
Alupo reiterated President Museveni’s commitment to building two specialized hospitals in Uganda, one of which will be located in Katakwi District, providing advanced medical care to the local population. She pledged to ensure the hospital project remains in Katakwi and cautioned against electoral malpractice, including bribery.
Concluding her remarks, the Vice President who also serves as Katakwi District Woman MP encouraged residents to embrace government development programs such as the Parish Development Model (PDM), Emyooga, Youth Fund, and Women Fund, which aim to improve financial empowerment at the grassroots.
She also called for peaceful elections in 2026 and urged community leaders to continue sensitizing the public on peace, unity, and coexistence.
