KATAKWI.
Vice President Jessica Alupo, who is also the Woman Member of Parliament for Katakwi District, is now on the moon after receiving an early political win weeks to the January 15 polls.
This comes after her only remaining challenger withdrew from the race on Christmas Eve.
The Electoral Commission had earlier nominated Ms Alupo and Ms Angella Anuken as candidates for the Katakwi District Woman MP seat. However, Ms Anuken later submitted a withdrawal letter to the Commission on December 24, leaving the Vice President unopposed.
During the NRM party primaries, Ms Alupo had competed against Ms Anuken, Celicia Anyokoit, and Viola Adome Akurut. After losing the primaries, Ms Anuken opted to contest as an independent candidate but had largely remained absent from the ground until her unexpected withdrawal, which automatically handed Ms Alupo an unopposed victory.
Speaking after being formally declared unopposed, Ms Alupo said she was grateful to God for the development, describing it as a Christmas blessing.
“I was away in Kampala attending to state duties assigned by the President when I received information that my only opponent had voluntarily withdrawn from the race. The Electoral Commission later invited me to come and be formally declared unopposed,” Ms Alupo said.
She reminded supporters that she had emerged victorious in the NRM primaries due to their backing and commitment, which earned her the party’s flag for Katakwi District.
Ms Alupo also noted that the parliamentary elections are scheduled for January 15, 2026, and that the law allows candidates to withdraw from the race in line with the Parliamentary Elections Act.
“It is on that basis that my opponent exercised her right to withdraw, and I thank all the women I competed with,” she added.
The Vice President further revealed that some of her former competitors had already been absorbed into various government departments as a gesture of goodwill, noting that Ms Anuken could also be considered due to her academic qualifications.
She also commended the Electoral Commission for promptly acting on the withdrawal.
The Katakwi District Returning Officer, Mr Stephen Makubuya, citing Section 37 of the Parliamentary Elections Act, officially declared Ms Jessica Alupo of the NRM party as Woman Representative to Parliament for Katakwi Electoral Area.
Mr David Calvin Echodu, the NRM Vice Chairperson for Eastern Uganda, who witnessed the declaration, praised Ms Alupo’s leadership, describing the moment as a major boost for the party.
“This is a great moment for NRM, for Teso, and for Uganda. To the people of Katakwi, we thank you for this Christmas gift,” he said.