The Vice President of Uganda, H.E Maj (Rtd) Jessica Rose Epel Alupo has called on Ugandans to take full advantage of the prevailing peace, infrastructure, and government development programmes to transform their livelihoods and foster socio-economic growth.
During the belated International Women’s Day celebrations on April 15 at Toroma Primary School in Katakwi District, Vice President Alupo said, “I urge all of us to utilise the current conducive conditions and infrastructure in the country to shift from subsistence to commercial farming in order to transform ourselves.”
She cited ongoing government efforts to enhance infrastructure in the Teso Sub-region, including the construction and upgrade of strategic roads such as the Kumi–Ngora–Serere–Pagwara road and the Serere–Soroti City Road. These, she said, complement the existing Soroti–Moroto tarmac highway, which links Teso to the Karamoja Sub-region.
H.E. Alupo emphasised the government’s continued support through flagship programmes implemented by various MDAs, including road development, rural electrification, the Women’s Fund, disability grants, and the Emyooga initiative.
She encouraged communities to embrace key government enterprises and explore sectors like agriculture, ICT, manufacturing, and services to boost wealth and job creation.
H.E Alupo commended the NRM government under President Gen (Rtd) Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for prioritising women’s issues, saying, “They are fully integrated into government policies,” and noted that women have been empowered at all leadership levels to actively participate in the country’s transformation.
Speaking at the event, the Iteso Cultural Leader, Papa Paul Sande Emolot, urged for unity and the promotion of cultural heritage among the Ateker communities, while conveying warm greetings from the wider Ateker region.
The celebration was attended by several dignitaries, including State Ministers Hon. Hellen Asamo (Disability Affairs) and Hon. Rose Lilly Akello (Ethics and Integrity), Members of Parliament; Col Allan Kyangungu, the 3 Division Deputy Commander; joint security force commanders, district officials, and community members.
