Vice President, H.E Maj. (Rtd) Jessica Rose Epel Alupo, has called on citizens to leverage the prevailing peace, improved infrastructure, and government development programmes to uplift their livelihoods and accelerate socio-economic growth.
Speaking during the belated International Women’s Day celebrations held on April 15 at Toroma Primary School in Katakwi District, the Vice President emphasized the need for communities to transition from subsistence to commercial farming.
“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,” said Alupo.
She highlighted the government’s ongoing infrastructure development in the Teso Sub-region, citing strategic road works such as the Kumi–Ngora–Serere–Pagwara road and the Serere–Soroti City Road, which complement the existing Soroti–Moroto tarmac highway that connects Teso to Karamoja.
Alupo reaffirmed the government’s commitment to socio-economic transformation through flagship initiatives including road development, rural electrification, the Women’s Fund, disability grants, and the Emyooga program. These, she said, are designed to support enterprise development, especially in sectors such as agriculture, ICT, manufacturing, and services.
The Vice President also applauded the NRM government under President Gen. (Rtd) Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for its inclusive policies towards women’s empowerment.
“Women’s issues are fully integrated into government policies. Today, women have been empowered and are actively participating in the transformation of our country at all leadership levels,” she noted.
Meanwhile, Iteso Cultural Leader Papa Paul Sande Emolot, who also addressed the gathering, called for unity among the Ateker communities and encouraged the promotion of shared cultural heritage. He conveyed greetings from the broader Ateker region.
The celebration attracted several dignitaries, including Hon. Hellen Asamo (Minister of State for Disability Affairs), Hon. Rose Lilly Akello (Minister of State for Ethics and Integrity), Members of Parliament, Col. Allan Kyangungu—the 3rd Division Deputy Commander—and other joint security officials, district leaders, and members of the community.