Tiger FM

Alupo among the most influential women on the continent

25 January 2025, 4:14 pm

By Ronald Ssemagonja

Vice President of Uganda, Maj. (Rtd) Jessica Alupo, has been listed among the top 100 most influential women on the African continent. This recognition was announced by Avance Media, Africa’s leading public relations and rating firm, during the 6th edition of its highly anticipated 2024 list of the most influential African women. Uganda’s Vice President was acknowledged for breaking barriers in her field and inspiring transformational change in her community and across the continent.

Representing 32 African countries, the 2024 list highlights the diversity and impact of African leaders. Nigeria leads with 22 honorees, followed by Kenya with 12, South Africa with 7, and Rwanda with 5. The list includes female presidents, six female vice presidents, one prime minister, one deputy United Nations Secretary-General, and one Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission.

The honorees represent various sectors, including business, diplomacy, governance, entertainment, media, sports, philanthropy, and more. Among the top honorees are Okonjo-Iweala, the Director-General of the World Trade Organization; H.E. Samia Suluhu Hassan, the President of Tanzania; Angelique Kidjo, Grammy-winning artist and activist; Fariba Nabourema, Togolese activist and Bitcoin advocate; and Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, the CEO of Merck Foundation.

According to Alupo, who also serves as the Woman MP for Katakwi District, this achievement marks a historic milestone for women in leadership across the continent and in global governance, showcasing Africa as a strong force for gender equity and empowerment.

The selection of the 2024 list was based on criteria such as excellence in leadership and performance, personal accomplishments, a commitment to sharing knowledge, breaking the status quo, and exemplifying the qualities of an accomplished African woman.

Last year, President Yoweri Museveni awarded Vice President Alupo the “Most Excellent Order of the Pearl of Africa,” the highest civilian honor in Uganda. Established in 2001 under the National Honours and Awards Act, this honor is reserved for heads of state, government leaders, and individuals who have made significant contributions to Uganda’s socioeconomic development.

Alupo joined a distinguished list of African leaders who have received this accolade, including Tanzanian former leaders Julius Nyerere (posthumous) and Jakaya Kikwete, Rwandan President Paul Kagame, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea, Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa, and Mozambican former President Armando Guebuza. During the award ceremony, President Museveni praised Alupo’s resilience and dedication to serving the nation. He specifically highlighted her efforts in empowering women, recognizing her as a beacon of commitment and leadership.

President Museveni Feting Ms Alupo

President Museveni noted that Alupo’s dedication to Uganda and her impactful work in empowering women have earned her this distinguished recognition, cementing her status as a prominent figure in the nation’s leadership landscape.

Alupo has also been invited to present papers at numerous high-profile international conferences, the most recent being the 4th Eurasian Women Forum in Saint Petersburg, Russia. Organized under the theme “High Technology Era: Security and Development Issues,” the forum showcased her contributions to global discussions on these critical topics.