By Emmanuel Olinga
As one the hotly contested positions for the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party in Katakwi District, two veterans today 23rd May 2025 withdrew from the hotly contested election of the district veterans league for leaving Maj. Rtd. Jessca Rose Alupo Epel elected unopposed.
The highly contested position was seen early after the state minister for Education and sports Peter Ogwang who fronted Mr. Ikabat Charles, the LCIII chairperson of Okore Sub County, when to reconcile with Vice president Alupo step aside from race.
Before the election moved at around 11:00 am, Mr Charles Ikabat who stepped down from the race together with state minister for education and sports Hon. Peter Ogwang walked towards Vice president Alupo to agree with Maj. Rtd Jessica Rose Alupo Epel elected unopposed.
Vice President Alupo, who also serves as the Woman Member of Parliament for Katakwi, is a high political figure whose influence spans across national and local politics.
Her bid to represent veterans is seen by many as a consolidation of her grip on the party’s grassroots structures ahead of the 2026 general elections.
Joseph Okiror, the Katakwi district administrator declared Vice president Alupo unopposed.
Among other veteran’s league committees elected unposed were Maj. Rdt. Joseph Ocar elected as Vice chairperson veterans unopposed, George William Ariko elected as General secretary unopposed, Rtd col. Basil Amodoi Ikomaileng elected treasure unopposed and cap. Rtd. Justin Eilor was elected unopposed.
Shortly after being declared unopposed, her Excellency Vice president Rdt. Maj. Jessca Rose Alupo Epel urged for peaceful elections while emphasizing democracy.
Alupo emphasized that this election process was conducted freely and fairly, reflecting the core principles of the NRM, which include democracy, nationalism, Pan-Africanism, and socio-economic transformation.
She urged all delegates to stay peaceful and united, regardless of the election outcomes, and to adhere to the rules and guidelines set by the NRM elections.
Rtd. Private Charles Ikabat , who joined UPDF in 20th August 1986 serving for 15 years also LCIII Okore sub county who also contested with Vice president said he withdraw to continue with post but also capable, but urged the Vice president Alupo to take role of veteran’s affairs together with their widows and orphans.
Rtd. Col. Basil Amodoi one of those who contested as chairperson veterans league said having picked the interest he withdrew because of protecting the image of Uganda peoples defense but also to show discipline.
In another hotly contested position of district NRM chairperson, John Robert Okiror was declared winner after gathering 335 beat his closes rival Bosco Aliabu Okiror who got 310 votes out of 673 total voters that comprised of Youth delegates, women, entrepreneur, veterans, People with disability, District councilors NRM flag bearers, Mainstream.
Meanwhile Raymond Odeke was elected vice chairperson after getting 367 votes beating Hon Akurut viola who got 175, out of a total vote of 542.
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