By Emmanuel Olinga
With just hours to go before the country heads to the NRM polls, supporters of Akurut Violet Adome and Anuken Angela have switched allegiance to Vice President Maj. (Rtd) Jessica Alupo’s camp, alleging neglect and disorganization in their former candidates’ teams.
The defectors claimed that Akurut and Anuken’s camps were plagued by poor management, lack of activities, and no focus on uplifting vulnerable communities in the district.
“Since I joined Akurut’s camp, I have worked tirelessly to mobilize the youth, women, and other adults, but we’ve been operating in total isolation,” said one of the defectors.
“All our efforts have gone unrecognized. We’ve realized our mistake before it’s too late a defector stated.”
The new supporters praised Alupo for her efforts in bringing peace to the region, supporting education, health, and infrastructure development, among others.
They also thanked her for the support in goat and sheep rearing projects, which has empowered their livelihoods, as well as mama kits and restoring boreholes, which have promoted access to safe water and hygiene.
Their reception was accompanied by celebration, as they publicly denounced their support for Anuken and Akurut and were clad in yellow T-shirts bearing Alupo’s image and the slogan, “Aswamisinei nu Etakanete.”
The Vice President Alupo welcomed the new supporters, describing their move as a demonstration of renewed confidence in her leadership.
“I sincerely welcome you all to my team of focused leadership,” she said.
“You have made a wise and patriotic decision to join the winning team that delivers results and empowers communities.”
The defection is being interpreted as a significant and strategic boost for Her Excellency the Vice President in the district.
Alupo emphasized the importance of education and encouraged parents to send their children to school.
She highlighted the progress made in restoring peace and security in the region, which has enabled the government to implement development programs such as the Parish Development Model (PDM) and Emyooga, youth livelihood programs, and UWEP, among others.
Alupo assured the new supporters that there will be no more cattle thefts and insecurity in the region, she thanked the disarmament programs and improved security measures.
The Vice President also announced plans to upgrade the road network in the district, including the Gweri-Toroma-Magoro-Ngariam road, which will be upgraded to a first-class murram road.
Additionally, the Katakwi District Hospital will be upgraded, and several health centers will be upgraded to higher levels.
Meanwhile, Stephen Okure Ilemukorit, the Resident District Commissioner for Katakwi, called for peaceful elections and urged voters not to allow outside influence to affect the outcome of the elections.
Okure however, emphasized the importance of presenting manifestos to the electorate and ending the campaigns and elections process with peace and development.
Last weekend ministers Balam Barugahara and Ruth Nankabirwa during a mammoth rally in Katakwi praised VP Alupo as a passionate leader and a team player who works closely with colleagues in Cabinet to deliver services to Ugandans.
They urged the people of Katakwi to recognize the trust President Museveni has placed in the Teso sub region by appointing Alupo to the country’s second highest office.
Nankabirwa said Alupo is a hard-working, passionate and cooperative leader who shares her experience with others in cabinet to ensure service delivery.
She urged the locals to support her fully in these elections.
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