President Museveni has this evening (Tuesday June 8, 2021) appointed a new cabinet, naming  Maj. (Rtd) Jessica Alupo the new Vice President.

Alupo, who was recently hailed from bouncing back from the 'political wilderness', replaces Hon Edward Sekandi Kiwanuka.

 Alupo is a politician, former military officer and educator born in 1974 in Katakwi district.

Before undergoing the officer cadet course at the Uganda Junior Staff College in Jinja, she trained as a high school teacher.

She holds a bachelor of arts in political science and linguistic besides a master’s degree, the Master of Arts in International Relations and Diplomacy both from Makerere University.

She attained a diploma in public administration and management and her second master’s degree in the Masters in Public Administration and Management all from Uganda Management Institute.

Over the years she worked as a teacher at Katakwi High School, an instructor at the Uganda Urban Warfare Training school and an intelligence officer at the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence.

 It is in 2001 when she started her political career as the Katakwi district women’s representative an office she was re-elected for in 2006 and 2011, but lost the 2016 elections.

But, part of her political life, is strongly engraved in the education ministry. Coming to education ministry as a full Cabinet minister after serving as deputy minister in charge of Youth and Children Affairs, Maj. (Rtd) Alupo’s appointment to replace Bitamazire, was surprising to many; just as her ascent to the VP’s seat is to some. But those close to her, know her as a woman of great character.

 Maj. (Rtd) Jessica Alupo will be remembered for having superintended the creation of the Students Loan Scheme, the Quota System and the centres of excellence. She also oversaw the initiation of more public universities, such as Muni, Kabale Universities established, although she left before they were fully operational.

She also strongly campaigned for school feeding and started bolder moves of engaging parents feeding their children, much more than her predecessor.

She superintended the writing of the school feeding guidelines and left in the course of its implementation.