VP Alupo unopposed for Katakwi Woman MP as rival steps down
Alupo described the development as a “Christmas gift” and thanked both her supporters and rivals for what she described as political maturity and unity.
Vice President Jessica Alupo walking with her supporters after the declaration. (Photos by Godfrey Ojore)
________________
Vice President Jessica Alupo has been officially declared unopposed as the Woman Member of Parliament for Katakwi district after her only remaining challenger, Angela Anuken, withdrew from the race.
The declaration was made on December 24 2025, by the Katakwi district returning officer, Stephen Makubuya, bringing to an end a contest that initially attracted four candidates at the National Resistance Movement (NRM) primary level before narrowing to two at the general election stage.
Alupo described the development as a “Christmas gift” and thanked both her supporters and rivals for what she described as political maturity and unity.
“I want to thank all my sisters I have been contesting with, not just in this election, but even in previous ones, for always exhibiting political maturity and giving all of us a chance to work as friends,” Alupo said.
In the NRM primaries, Alupo secured a landslide victory with 84,944 votes, defeating Viola Akurut, Angela Anuken and Cecilia Anyakoit. While the other candidates conceded after the party primaries, Anuken opted to run as an independent before later withdrawing from the race this week.
Her withdrawal paved the way for Alupo to be declared unopposed.
Alupo's supporters celebrating in Katakwi town.
NRM vice chairperson for the eastern region, David Calvin Echodu, hailed the declaration as a milestone for the ruling party.
“This is indeed a very great moment for NRM, for eastern Uganda, for Teso and for Katakwi,” Echodu said.
“It testifies to the trust people have in her leadership. We are very proud of you, and we congratulate you for leading by example.”
The NRM chairperson for Katakwi district, John Robert Okiror, also welcomed the development, describing it as “a felicitous moment occurring on the eve of Christmas”, and urged party supporters to use the opportunity to intensify mobilisation for President Yoweri Museveni and other party flag bearers.
“You now have a simple scope to galvanise support for His Excellency the President and fellow flag bearers and catalyse economic transformation of Katakwi,” Okiror said.
In her address, Alupo pledged to continue working closely with the NRM leadership and government to deliver services to the people of Katakwi and the country at large.
“We shall continue prioritising service delivery, peace and security, education for all, health for all, infrastructure, and continue prioritising resources for wealth creation and job creation,” she said.
She urged residents to take advantage of government livelihood programmes, including the Parish Development Model, Emyooga, the Women Fund, the Youth Fund, disability grants and elderly support programmes, saying they are designed to help citizens transition into the money economy.
“The people of Katakwi should not be an exception. These programmes are meant to enable all Ugandans to join the money economy and move together with the rest of the country,” she said.
Alupo also appealed for unity among candidates still contesting other positions and called for peaceful campaigns.
“I wish all candidates peace, victory and cohesion. I will continue moving around the district mobilising support for NRM and President Museveni,” she added.
In a gesture of reconciliation, Alupo promised that her former competitors would not be sidelined.
“For my sisters, I have always contested with some of them have already been placed. Those who have not yet been placed will also be placed,” she said.
Akurut has been placed at the Ministry of Local Government, where she is monitoring Parish Development Model funds in eastern Uganda.
Alupo emphasised that her office would remain open to all residents, regardless of political affiliation.
With Alupo now unopposed, the NRM has consolidated its hold on the Woman MP seat in Katakwi, allowing party leaders to focus on other competitive races and broader mobilisation efforts ahead of the general elections.
The declaration brings to a close one of Katakwi’s most closely watched political contests and signals a new phase of mobilisation, unity and development messaging for the ruling party in the district.