NEWS- The Vice President of Uganda Major Jessica Alupo Epel was yesterday bestowed with the prestigious award of the ‘Most Excellent Order of the Pearl of Africa’ which is reserved for Heads of State, government leaders and individuals who have made significant contributions to Uganda’s socio-economic development.
Vice President Alupo, who is also the Katakwi Woman Member of Parliament, was decorated by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni during national celebrations of the International Women’s Day that was held in Katakwi District yesterday March 8th 2024.
The ‘Most Excellent Order of the Pearl of Africa’ is the highest civilian honour in Uganda, and it was established in 2001 under the National Honours and Awards Act.
Vice President Alupo joins a distinguished list of African leaders who have received this accolade, including Tanzanian former leaders Julius Nyerere and Jakaya Kikwete, Rwandan President Paul Kagame, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea, Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Mozambican former President Armando Guebuza.
During the well-attended function, President Museveni praised Alupo’s resilience and dedication to serving the nation during the decoration ceremony at Katakwi Boma Grounds and he specifically highlighted her efforts in empowering women and recognizing her as a beacon of dedication.
At the ceremony, Vice President Alupo was joined by 57 other individuals, who were recognised for their outstanding contributions to various fields and among them were Soroti Resident City Commissioner Peter Pex Paak and the NRM mobiliser Ms Teddy Acham whose dedication and commitment were acknowledged during the event.
Meanwhile President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has called upon Ugandans to work towards achieving wealth for all in order to deal with the challenges affecting women.
The President made the remarks yesterday while officiating at the International Women’s Day 2024 Celebrations, held at Boma Grounds, Katakwi District which was held under the theme: “Accelerating Gender Equality Through Women Economic Empowerment”.
According to the President, many families have the potential to be rich because they have land and they must use that natural resource to fight under-development through commercial agriculture with “ekibaaro” (calculation).
The President also urged leaders to work towards transforming the lives of Ugandans, explaining that the much-desired socio-economic transformation can only be achieved through two ways which include; mass education and getting every adult into the money economy.
President Museveni further advised the women’s movement to ensure free education for all in order to set the girl child free from any impediments and assured the people of Teso Sub Region that the government is going to expand the fruit factory in Soroti so that it is able to buy all their citrus.
While speaking at the same event, the Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Hon Betty Amongi has said the policies and programs of the NRM government under the stewardship of President Museveni have supported affirmative action that has promoted women empowerment and emancipation.
Minister Amongi made the remarks while speaking at the International Women’s Day celebrations in Katakwi District yesterday where she said that affirmative action has paid off and thebMinistry of Gender has focused on programs that empower women like Parish Development Model, Emyooga, GROW among other programs.
The UN Resident Coordinator to Uganda, Ms Susan Namondo Ngongi congratulated the government for the progress it has made in promoting gender equality and empowerment and appreciated the legal framework in promoting gender equality and the UN will continue to invest in the programs that really empower women in Uganda.
The Ambassador of Austria to Uganda, Ms Katja Yvonne Kerschbaumer, who represented the development partners in Uganda commended President Museveni for his strong interest and unwavering support towards promoting gender equality, saying that the participation of women in socio-economic transformation is key in inclusive economic growth of the country.
The National Women’s Council-Uganda Chairperson, Hajjat Faridah Kibowa thanked President Museveni for his unwavering commitment of championing women empowerment and emancipation in all spheres of society.
The function was also attended by the Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo, the Prime Minister, Rt Hon Robinah Nabbanja, the 1st Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of East African Community Affairs, Rt Hon Rebecca Kadaga, 3rd Deputy Prime Minister, Rt Hon Rukia Nakadama, Ministers, Members of Parliament, members of the Diplomatic Corps, religious and traditional leaders among many other dignitaries.
