While some in government are busy scheming to amass ill-gotten wealth through stealing, Vice President Maj. Jessica Alupo is thinking in the opposite.
The lady from Katakwi says she wants to leave government with no trace of corruption against her name just like her mother Bernadette Akol did.
Akol, 77, is a retired midwife and according to Alupo who is one of her daughters, she left her job a clean lady, the reason she also wants to follow into her footsteps.
“Our mother retired with honours without any trace of corruption. I promise never to ashame her by getting involved in shoddy deals that taint my name. I want to follow her footsteps by observing zero tolerance to corruption” she said on Christmas day.
This was during a special ceremony organized by the family to celebrate their mother’s 77th birthday in Katakwi.
After invited guested dinned and wined, Alupo who was breathing on the same oxygen with her hubby Peter Abaine, on behalf of the children, swore to continue being close and walking the journey together with their mother.
She said as children, they were happy with their mother and their departed father George William Epel for bringing them up in a Christian and dignified way which is full of humility.
Alupo who’s the fourth born of the nine kids (six girls and three boys) said her mother (retired midwife) and their late dad (teacher), raised them through strict hard work.
“We used to see our parents work so hard to supplement their salary in order to educate all the children. I want to call upon all us here not to think that it’s too heavy to educate children. Everything is possible with determination and hard-work,” Alupo who’s Uganda’s Second-In- Command advised, adding that parents need to educate their children because investment in education is the best insurance for children’s future.
The VP was all praises to God for the life of her mother (Toto) and for the many blessings from God in her life. “We wish you many more years, happy birthday to my great mother.” She said with tears of Joy!
She borrowed the biblical teachings particularly the fourth commandment and appealed to the general public to respect parents. “The Bible and Quaran all tell us to honour our parents (Mother and Father) in order to get long life. I would like to call upon all of us to observe that commandment,” Alupo noted.
She urged children to always remember and respect their parents by offering everything possible to them to get rewards of God’s blessings.
EDUCATION NOW MADE EASIER
She explained that with the introduction of both Primary and Secondary education its much easier now for parents to educate all their children including those from extended families unlike before.
She urged parents to strive to build on what Government has managed to provide to enable your children have a better future.
She reiterated President Yoweri Museveni’s message that underscores the need for us to strengthen and continue deepening Pan Africanism and East African integration and also to promote trade and security.
She encouraged the people of Katakwi to continue standing steadfast with president Museveni come 2026 general elections.
Alupo thanked the security teams that protect both her and the president for the job well done and urged them to continue with this spirit.
“When you protect the vice president, you’re protecting a Ugandan and when they protect Ugandans, you’re protecting the country’s security. You’re also part of the people who protect H.E President. I thank you also for protecting him. Happy 2024 as we continue serving our country,” Alupo said.
Her hubby Abaine, also used the microphone and thanked God for the life of Toto.
“As we celebrate her birthday and that of Jesus Christ, I want to tell you that Toto has been a great parent and I’m grateful to have her my parent. May the good Lord grant you more years,” Abaine prayed before thanking all the family members for continuing to have him as one of the family members.
The main celebrant Amojong Akol Bernadette, thanked her children, family members, religious leaders and district officials for coming to celebrate with her. She praised God for a healthy life. The function was crowned with eats and drinks going down the gullets of those invited. Well, Happy Birthday Toto Akol!!!!
