From School Canteen Attendant To Vice President !! The Remarkable Journey Of Jessica Alupo As Muhoozi Renews Political Attacks

Born on May 23, 1974, in Katakwi, Teso region. Her Father, George William Epel was a teacher, her mother, Bernadette Akol a midwife. She studied at Apuuton Primary, Kangole Girls, and Ngora High School, then trained as a school canteen attendant before joining the army around 1999 via the officer cadet course in Jinja. She served as an instructor at Singo, a staff officer at Bombo, and an intelligence officer in Kampala, rising to major before retiring.

Academically, she holds a BA in political science and linguistics from Makerere (1997), a master’s in international relations and diplomacy (2008), another in public administration (2009/10), and an honorary doctorate from Shenyang University in China (2015).

She entered politics in 2001, winning Katakwi Woman MP on the NRM ticket, re-elected 2006. Appointed State Minister for Youth in 2009, then Education Minister in 2011. As minister she launched the Students Loan Scheme, pushed the quota system, and helped start Muni and Kabale universities. Lost her seat in 2016, won it back in 2021, and on June 8 that year Museveni named her VP, only the second woman after Specioza Kazibwe. Parliament re-approved her May 28, 2026, with 325 votes.

Married to Major Innocent Tukashaba. Mother, farmer, Pan-Africanist.

Today, November 10, 2026, she’s still VP, but under fire. Monday night, CDF General Muhoozi Kainerugaba called her a traitor, tied her to the Peter Elwelu matter and old Mbabazi links, and said the VP post should be handed over, with him running things on military terms. His account vanished by Tuesday morning.

No official word from State House. Constitutionally, only the President can remove her. The deeper story looks like a succession scramble ahead of 2031.

Uganda’s Vice President Jessica Rose Epel Alupo has risen from humble beginnings in Katakwi District to become one of the country’s most powerful political figures, serving as the second woman to occupy the country’s second-highest constitutional office. However, her political journey is now attracting renewed attention following a public confrontation with Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) General Muhoozi Kainerugaba.

Her journey from Katakwi to State House represents decades of military service, education and political advancement. But with tensions surrounding Uganda’s political succession increasingly becoming public, her latest confrontation with the army chief has placed her position under an uncomfortable national spotlight.

Whether the controversy will have consequences for her political future remains uncertain. For now, Alupo remains Uganda’s Vice President, while questions about political loyalty, military influence and the country’s leadership succession continue to dominate public debate.