By Emmanuel Okol
The State Minister for Youth and Children Affairs, Hon. Balam Barugahara, and the Minister for Energy and Mineral Development, Dr. Ruth Nankabirwa, have called on the people of Katakwi District to vote for Vice President Rtd Maj. Jessica Rose Alupo Epel in the upcoming NRM primaries and the 2026 general elections.
The appeal was made during a massive rally held on Saturday, 12 July 2025, at Magoro Primary School grounds in Magoro Town Council.
The event attracted thousands of enthusiastic supporters, local leaders, and NRM party mobilisers from across Katakwi District.
Minister Nankabirwa praised Vice President Alupo as a passionate leader and a team player who works closely with colleagues in Cabinet to deliver services to Ugandans.
She urged the people of Katakwi to recognize the trust President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has placed in the Teso sub-region by appointing Alupo to the country’s second-highest office.
“President Museveni has shown his trust in Teso by giving you number two in the country,” Nankabirwa said, drawing cheers from the crowd.
“Alupo is a hardworking, passionate, and cooperative leader who shares her experience with others in Cabinet to ensure service delivery. Let us support her fully in these elections.”
Nankabirwa also outlined the government’s commitment to extending electricity to underserved areas in Katakwi District.
She revealed that her ministry has plans to connect power to several communities and institutions, including places of worship.
“Some of the places to be connected include Ocwin in Okore Sub-county, Magoro Sub-county, Ngariam Sub-county, and Omodoi Sub-county,” she announced.
“We will also extend power to 25 trading centres, replace old poles, and install 15 new transformers to ensure reliable supply.”
She further disclosed that the government had secured funding from partners such as KIW Japan and the World Bank to support rural electrification and government insurance initiatives aimed at improving lives in Katakwi and beyond.
Meanwhile, State Minister for Youth and Children Affairs, Hon. Balam Barugahara, took the opportunity to urge the youth of Katakwi to reject election violence and instead focus on voting for leaders who are development-oriented and committed to serving their communities.
“Young people must not allow themselves to be used by selfish politicians who give them waragi to cause violence,” Balam cautioned.
“If we want to benefit from government programs, let us vote for leaders who are vibrant and community-oriented in the 2025/2026 elections.”
He encouraged the youth to take advantage of government initiatives such as the Parish Development Model (PDM), Emyooga, and the Youth Livelihood Program to lift themselves out of poverty.
Other leaders and aspirants who spoke at the rally also expressed strong support for Vice President Alupo.
Aspirants for the Toroma County parliamentary seat’ Solomon Osiya, Walter Okiring Elakas, Alan Aporu, and Hon. Joseph Andrew Koluo, all rallied the crowd to vote for Alupo in the NRM primaries scheduled for 17 July 2025 and in the subsequent general elections.
Daniel Mulalu, a prominent aspirant and popular figure in Ngariam County, also pledged total support for the Vice President, describing her as the best choice for the district and the nation.
“I am here to deliver and unite the people of Ngariam County,” Mulalu told the cheering crowd.
“Let us all rally behind Her Excellency Vice President Alupo for a better tomorrow. She has our interests at heart.”
The rally also heard from local NRM mobilisers and community leaders who praised Alupo’s track record in advocating for education, infrastructure development, and improved livelihoods in Katakwi and the broader Teso sub-region.
When she took to the podium, Vice President Rtd Maj. Jessica Rose Alupo Epel reaffirmed her commitment to serving the people of Katakwi and Uganda.
She urged residents to support the NRM party and its ideology, which she said had brought peace and stability to the country.
“President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has relieved Uganda from different mafias. Let us continue to support him during the 2026 general elections,” she said.
Alupo also called for peaceful, issue-based campaigns and elections, urging residents to reject politics of hatred and division.
“I ask all of us here in Katakwi District to embrace peace and avoid politics of hatred. Let us work together for the development of our district and our country,” she concluded to loud applause.
The rally in Magoro is part of the ongoing NRM mobilization efforts in Teso sub-region as the party prepares for its internal primaries and the national elections in 2026.
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