Uganda’s Vice President, Maj. (Rtd) Jessica Alupo, has been named among the most influential African women breaking barriers and driving transformational change across their communities and the continent.
The announcement was made by Avance Media, Africa’s leading public relations and rating firm, during the release of its 6th edition of the highly anticipated 2024 list of Most Influential African Women.
This year’s list features representatives from 32 African countries, showcasing the diversity and impact of female leaders across the continent. Nigeria leads with 22 honorees, followed by Kenya with 12, South Africa with 7, and Rwanda with 5.
The 2024 honorees include six female vice presidents, one prime minister, one deputy United Nations Secretary-General, and one deputy chairperson of the African Union Commission. Their influence spans various sectors, including business, diplomacy, governance, entertainment, media, sports, and philanthropy.
Among the prominent women recognized are Okonjo-Iweala, the Director-General of the World Trade Organization; H.E. Samia Suluhu Hassan, the President of Tanzania; Angelique Kidjo, Grammy-winning artist and activist; Farida Nabourema, Togolese activist and Bitcoin advocate; and Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation.
Vice President Alupo, who also serves as the Woman Member of Parliament for Katakwi District, expressed her honor at being included on the list. She emphasized that such achievements represent a historic milestone for women in leadership across Africa and on the global stage, underscoring Africa’s commitment to gender equity and empowerment.
The selection criteria for the 2024 list included excellence in leadership and performance, personal accomplishments, a commitment to sharing knowledge, breaking societal barriers, and exemplifying the qualities of accomplished African women.
Last year, President Yoweri Museveni awarded Vice President Alupo the “Most Excellent Order of the Pearl of Africa,” Uganda’s highest civilian honor. This prestigious award, established in 2001 under the National Honours and Awards Act, is reserved for heads of state, government leaders, and individuals who have significantly contributed to Uganda’s socioeconomic development.
By receiving this award, Alupo joined a distinguished group of African leaders who have been similarly recognized, including Tanzania’s former leaders Julius Nyerere (posthumous) and Jakaya Kikwete, Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame, Equatorial Guinea’s President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa, and Mozambique’s former President Armando Guebuza.
During the award ceremony, President Museveni commended Alupo’s resilience and dedication to serving the nation. He specifically praised her efforts to empower women, describing her as a beacon of commitment and service.
The president highlighted Alupo’s impactful work in advancing gender equity, cementing her status as a prominent figure in Uganda’s leadership.
Vice President Alupo is frequently invited to present at high-profile international conferences. Her most recent appearance was at the 4th Eurasian Women Forum in Saint Petersburg, Russia, where she delivered a paper under the theme “High Technology Era: Security and Development Issues.”
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