President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni announced his new cabinet of 2021- 2026, on Tuesday, June 8, with women dominating the highly anticipated list.
Three ladies have been appointed in the top executive seats. Katakwi Woman MP Maj (Rtd) Jessica Alupo is the new vice president of Uganda, replacing Hon. Edward Kiwanuka Ssekadi, former State Minister for Health Robinah Nabanja has been named Prime Minister, while former Speaker of Parliament Rt Hon. Rebecca Kadaga has been named Deputy Prime Minister.
As we celebrate this milestone, here are the 5 things you need to know about Maj (Rtd) Jessica Alupo.
- She was born in Katakwi District on 23 May 1974. She attended Apuuton Katakwi Primary School. She then attended Kangole Girls School for her O-Level studies. For her A-Level education, she studied at Ngora High School. Alupo trained as a high school canteen attendant before she underwent the officer cadet course at the Uganda Junior Staff College in Jinja. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science and linguistics, obtained in 1997 from Makerere University. Her first master’s degree, the Master of Arts in international relations and diplomacy, was also obtained from Makerere University in 2008. She also holds a Diploma in public administration and management, obtained in 2008 from the Uganda Management Institute (UMI). Her second master’s degree is the Masters in public administration and management, obtained in 2009, also from Makerere University.
- Before joining Parliament, Alupo was a teacher at the Katakwi High School in Katakwi District. She also worked as an instructor at the Uganda Urban Warfare Training School, Singo in Nakaseke District and an intelligence officer at the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI), in Kampala. Alupo had initially trained as a high school canteen attendant before undergoing an officer cadet course at the Uganda Junior Staff College in Jinja.
- In 2001, she entered politics as a candidate for the Katakwi Districtwomen’s representative. She ran on the ticket of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) political party. She won and was re-elected in 2006. In 2009, she was appointed as state minister for youth and children affairs. In 2011, she was re-elected to her parliamentary constituency. In the cabinet reshuffle of 27 May 2011, she was promoted to the post of minister of education and sports. She replaced Namirembe Bitamazire, who was dropped from the cabinet.
- During her tenure as Minister of Education, she spearheaded the creation of the Students Loan Scheme, the Quota System and the initiation of public universities like Kabale University.
- She is the second female Ugandan to hold the position of Vice President after Dr Specioza Wandira Kazibwe and the first from Teso sub-region.
