Ex-Min Alupo is back, speaks out on hooliganism, barbarism and heartlessness

For four years, the former military officer has been mobilising and strengthening her political bases in Katakwi for a comeback, a source told this publication in August 2020.

Katakwi—5, September 2020: Former Education and Sports Minister Hon (Rtd) Major Jessica Alupo Epel was re-elected to hold the NRM party flag for the Katakwi Women MP race in 2021.

In 2016 general elections, Alupo was defeated by Violet Akurut Adome as an MP, and subsequently losing her ministerial position.

For four years, the former military officer has been mobilising and strengthening her political bases in Katakwi for a comeback.

In the just-concluded NRM party primary elections held on Friday, Alupo got 38,582 votes and her second runner-up, Hon. Violet Akurut Adome (incumbent) got 29,435 votes.

The race attracted other two candidates, among them Anuken Angella who got 84 votes and Apuno Claire with 13,760 votes.

Like in other districts (sub-regions), Teso was equally hot with reported cases of electoral violence, among others.

Through her Facebook account, Hon. Alupo had this to say:

Earlier today, I dashed to Soroti Regional Referral Hospital to visit one of our supporters by the name Lucy Apio from Kapujan Sub County, Katakwi district who was shot yesterday following a scuffle that was initiated by our rival camp. Lucy is in a critical condition compared to the other 3 who were equally brutalized.

These acts of hooliganism, barbarism, heartlessness, have no place in our peaceful society of Katakwi and Teso as a whole and must be condemned.

Throughout our campaigns we have preached peace, zero tolerance to violence, politics of disunity, intrigue and sheer greed for power.

I thank my supporters for restraining themselves and ask them to continue being peaceful and loving even when provoked.

Let’s all say no to election violence, as we pray for Lucy and the other 3.