By Spy Uganda
Kampala: Jessica Rose Epel Alupo, commonly known as Jessica Alupo, is currently the vice president-elect of the Republic of Uganda (2021 – 2026).
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She is a Ugandan politician, educator, and former military officer. She has served in the cabinet of Uganda as minister of education since 2011. She is also an elected member of parliament as Katakwi District’s women’s representative.
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 teacher 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.
Over the years, she has been employed in various capacities including; as a teacher at the Katakwi High School in the town of Katakwi, Katakwi District, Eastern Region of Uganda, an instructor at the Uganda Urban Warfare Training School, Singo, Nakaseke District, Central Region of Uganda and an intelligence officer at the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence, in Kampala, Uganda’s capital city.
In 2001, she entered politics as a candidate for the Katakwi District women’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.
Alupo is married to Innocent Tukashaba. She is reported to enjoy reading, community mobilization, and travel.
