Cecilia Anyakuit has officially entered the race for Katakwi District Woman Member of Parliament after picking nomination forms from the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) Party on Thursday.
Her announcement sets the stage for what she calls “the most interesting and people-driven race” in the district’s political history.
Anyakuit aims to unseat the incumbent, Retired Major Jessica Alupo, who also serves as the Vice President of Uganda.
Speaking shortly after collecting her nomination forms, Anyakuit told URN that her campaign is rooted in the grievances and aspirations of the ordinary people of Katakwi.
“This race is going to be the most interesting, and it’s people-driven,” she said.
She added that there are a lot of challenges and expectations, and that the voice of the people is not being heard.
“Issues of compensation are ignored, and I intend to raise this so our elders can benefit,” said Anyakuit.
Citing the unequal distribution of government services, Anyakuit criticized current systems in the district, which she says favor the well-off, leaving the poorest behind.
“The very poor and needy are not being reached. It is those who are already well off who continue to benefit. That must change,” she added.
She also expressed concern that despite Katakwi delivering strong support to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni in past elections, a move she says resulted in the district being rewarded with the Vice Presidency, the local people have not seen meaningful returns from that decision.
“Katakwi should not just hold the position. We must have someone who can effectively represent the people,” added Anyakuit.
Positioning herself as an alternative voice, new blood, and a solution provider, Anyakuit said she is standing for the youth, women, and vulnerable citizens who currently lack direct access to power.
The Chairperson of the Technical Committee at the National Council of Sports, Anyakuit also revealed that she has previously faced attempts to be bought out of the race, which she rejected.
“I am not afraid. There were efforts to buy me off, but I stood my ground. This is a race of money on their side, not ideas,” she stated.
Anyakuit warned that security forces might be mobilized to intimidate her campaign, but she remained defiant.
“No amount of intimidation will make me bow down. I am here for the people, and I will not back away,” she said.
Anyakuit is a former manager of the She Cranes, Uganda’s national netball team, and has held and continues to hold several positions in national and international sports organizations and committees.
Formerly a member of the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC), Anyakuit holds a Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences from Makerere University and is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Business Administration at Victoria University. She was recently elected as the NRM Treasurer for Katakwi in the just concluded party structures.
Both Anyakuit and Alupo, who picked their nomination forms on Monday, are expected to return them in the coming days to be officially nominated as the party prepares for primary elections for parliamentary flag bearers on July 16th, 2025.
Meanwhile, among other individuals who picked nomination forms on Thursday from across the River Nile Jinja bridge was Member of Parliament Paul Akamba, who seeks to retain his seat as Busiiki County legislator in Namutumba District.
Akamba believes he will continue lobbying for his constituents to access improved social services such as well-equipped health facilities and access to tap or piped water, just as he says he has always done.
Engineer Oidu Kizito Franklin, contesting for Tororo County South, promised immediate development including lobbying for all national programs to be extended to the area.
He pledged to increase electricity connections, leveraging his experience as the former Chief Engineer for the Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL). He also vowed to eradicate all grass-thatched houses in the constituency.
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