Pallisa, Uganda | Determination leads to success, as many believe so is Catherine Achola, the Woman Member of Parliament for Pallisa District who started her parliamentary bid in 2011 finally took oath on wednesday as a legislator.
“While on brief press interaction, Achola said the magma of becoming a member of parliament boiled in her and made her remain with her people. I lost to Agnes Ameede, Faith Alupo (MHSRP) and in 2021 to Kevin Kaala Ojinga who were all flag bearers of NRM but this time my people of Pallisa voted for me overwhelmingly,” Achola said.
Achola said in the first two attempts that she was subscribing to FDC, and after feeling the weight of NRM, she decided to join the ruling party wagon, which the NRM Eastern Region Chairperson Captain Mike Mukula ushered her in 2020.
“I contested for NRM ticket with Josephine Ibaseret the Member of Parliament for Agule County, Kevin Kaala Ojinga but the outcome of primaries angered my people and I picked forms to challenge Kaala and did not make it,” Achola joyfully stated.
Who is Catherine Achola?
Achola is daughter to Late John Alfred Osupelem retired PTC Principal (RIP) and Ms Agwang Penniah Osupelem who also died three days after general elections and was laid to rest at their ancestral home in Kakusi village, Kibale Sub-county, Kibale County, Pallisa District.
Achola has a professional background of social works and social administration coupled with a diploma in secondary education majoring in English language and literature in English.
She has 15 years of working experience with different communities at different managerial levels. She has vied for the position of Woman Member of Parliament since 2011. Achola participated in the highly contested general elections of 2016 as FDC flag bearer and claimed her victory was snatched and lost it to Agnes Amede. In 2018 by-elections when Amede opted for the new Butebo District, she still contested as FDC flag bearer but was cancelled out of the race six days to voting. She eventually crossed to NRM in June 2020. Two months old in NRM, she participated in NRM primaries and scored 2096 genuine votes against my competitors who had participated in the previous elections party elections.
Achola also participated as an independent in the general election of 2021 and remained committed to the NRM party and the people of Pallisa. Achola, who is seen by the public as a passionate woman about unity and socio-economic empowerment says her emphasis will retention of girl school as only 25% of those who enrol in primary one complete primary education circle. She will engage the communities in agro-business programs for poverty alleviation; lobbying investors to come to Pallisa, spearhead tree planting to regreen the district, the project she launched in Kibale Town Council with 1,000 seedlings and also gave the Muslim community of Kagwese in Pallisa town council 1,000 seedling cause harmony between my people as I the ability to speak both Ateso and Lugwere fluently which are dominantly spoken by the indigenous people and of course doing the overnight role as mandated.
Emmanuel Okebo Odeke, a resident of Omatakojo village in Kibale sub county, said Achola’s victory was Palisa’s voice she won overwhelmingly.
However, Olebo urged people to allow Hon.Achola to deliver what she pledged rather than fronting personal problems for her to sort.
