With only weeks remaining to the final ballot ahead of the January 15 general election, Hon. Angella Anuken, an independent Women Member of Parliament aspirant for Katakwi District, has withdrawn from the race, leaving Jessica Rose Alupo Epel, the NRM candidate, unopposed.
On the evening of Thursday, December 24, 2025, the Katakwi District Electoral Commission declared Rtd. Maj. Jessica Rose Alupo Epel, the unopposed District Woman Member of Parliament for Katakwi, during a session held at the Electoral Commission offices.
The declaration followed a formal withdrawal by her only challenger, Angella Anuken, who submitted a written notice to the Katakwi District Returning Officer, officially pulling out of the contest.
In a letter dated December 23, 2025, addressed to the District Returning Officer, Angella Anuken, and her two supporters in the Katakwi electoral area, the withdrawal was duly signed as required by law to effect the withdrawal.
Stephen Makubya, the Katakwi District Returning Officer, confirmed that his office received the formal withdrawal letter from Angella Anuken.
He cited Section 36(1) of the Parliamentary Elections Act, which allows a duly nominated candidate to withdraw from the race at any time before polling.
However, Makubya urged voters to turn up in large numbers to participate in elections for other contested positions across the district.
Speaking shortly after the declaration, Alupo thanked her supporters and recalled her decisive victory during the NRM primaries, where she garnered 84,994 votes (88.8%), defeating her closest rival, who received 5,704 votes (6%).
Alupo said she went to the Electoral Commission offices upon receiving communication from the EC to witness her opponent’s decision.
She congratulated all candidates who had previously competed against her and emphasized that their working relationship would continue, adding that she would provide Anuken with an opportunity to work together for the development of the district.
She thanked the electorate for their prayers and support, calling for unity and peaceful elections. Alupo further urged voters in Katakwi to continue supporting the NRM government, pledging to enhance education, water access, health services, security, and infrastructure development in the district and across Uganda.
She emphasized the importance of citizens participating in government wealth-creation programs to improve household incomes. According to Alupo, initiatives such as Parish Development Model (PDM), Emyooga, Youth Livelihood Programme (YLP), and Women’s Funds are key to transitioning Ugandans into the money economy, which she described as a major driver of development.
John Robert Okiror, the NRM Chairperson for Katakwi District, praised Anuken for stepping aside in favor of an NRM candidate, describing the move as mature and patriotic. Meanwhile, David Calvin Echodu, the NRM Regional Chairperson for Eastern Uganda, said the party had received an early Christmas gift, commending Anuken for demonstrating honesty and trust toward Vice President Alupo.
He noted that Anuken’s withdrawal reflects the confidence and trust built among candidates who previously competed during the NRM primaries.
Residents of Katakwi District, including Gabriel Omuge and Emmanuel Oucor from Okibui Sub-county, where Anuken hails from, welcomed the decision, saying it paves the way for unity and accelerated development in the district. Katakwi District has never had an unopposed Member of Parliament since its establishment in 1977.
Jessica Rose Alupo Epel became the first unopposed Woman MP for the district.
