AFRICA: Uganda’s Vice President Maj. (Rtd) Jessica Alupo has been listed among the most influential African women who are breaking barriers in their respective fields and inspiring transformational change in their communities and across the continent.
Alupo 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 on the continent.
Representing 32 African countries, the 2024 list highlights the diversity and impact of African leaders, with Nigeria leading with 22 honourees, followed by Kenya with 12, South Africa with 7, and Rwanda with 5.
The list also features 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 honourees span an array of sectors, including business, diplomacy, governance, entertainment, media, sports, philanthropy, and more.
Among the top honourees are Okonjo-Iweala, the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation; H.E. Samia Suluhu Hassan, the president of Tanzania; Angelique Kidjo, the Grammy-winning artist and activist; Fariba Nabourema, Togolese activist and Bitcoin advocate; and Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, the CEO of Merck Foundation.
According to VP Alupo doubles as a woman MP for Katakwi district; these achievements mark a historic milestone for women in leadership across the continent and in global governance, showcasing Africa as a ring force for gender equity and empowerment.
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 feted VP Alupo with the ‘Most Excellent Order of the Pearl of Africa’ award, which is the highest civilian honour in Uganda. It was established in 2001 under the National Honours and Awards Act.
Alupo joined the distinguished list of African leaders who have received accolades, 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.
The honour is reserved for heads of state, government leaders, and individuals who have made significant contributions to Uganda’s socioeconomic development.
During the awarding ceremony, President Museveni praised Alupo’s resilience and dedication to serving the nation.
He specifically highlighted her efforts in empowering women, recognising her as a beacon of dedication.
The president further said 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 on many occasions been invited to present papers during high-profile international conferences, the most recent one being the 4th Eurasian Women Forum in Saint Petersburg, Russia. It was organised under the theme, High Technology Era: Security and Development. Issues.
