Jessica Alupo
Exiled Ugandan lawyer and writer Kakwenza Rukirabashaija has stirred fresh political debate after predicting that Vice President Jessica Alupo could be the next high-profile figure to lose influence in President Yoweri Museveni’s inner circle.
His remarks come in the wake of former Speaker Anita Among’s recent political setbacks, including her withdrawal from the Speakership race and an expanding corruption probe that has seen security agencies raid her properties in Kampala and Bukedea.
Among’s exit from the race and ongoing investigations have been widely interpreted as a major shift in Uganda’s parliamentary power structure.
Against that backdrop, Kakwenza suggested that the changes may not be isolated. In a strongly worded statement circulating online, he wrote:
“Call me a witch but in the revolving doors of Ugandan power, the ample-framed Maj. Jessica Alupo is unlikely to survive the next reshuffle. She’ll be swapped for another well-padded connoisseur of the bottle, who, in turn, will eventually clear the stage for the arrival of Mugisha Biddi”
The remarks, which have not been independently verified, reflect Kakwenza’s long-standing criticism of Uganda’s political establishment, which he frequently accuses of patronage, internal purges, and cyclical reshuffles within the executive.
Jessica Alupo, a former Minister of Education and current Vice President, has largely maintained a low public profile in recent months, focusing on government engagements and regional diplomatic assignments.
However, she remains a key figure within the ruling establishment, having previously served in both cabinet and parliamentary leadership roles.
Political analysts say Kakwenza’s prediction should be viewed within the broader context of Uganda’s history of executive reshuffles, where senior officials are frequently reassigned or replaced depending on political calculations, loyalty alignments, or internal party dynamics within the National Resistance Movement (NRM).
The comparison with Anita Among’s situation has further intensified speculation about possible shifts within the top leadership.
Among, once considered a powerful parliamentary figure, has seen her influence decline amid legal scrutiny and international sanctions linked to corruption allegations.
However, government officials have consistently dismissed narratives of internal purges, insisting that appointments and changes in leadership are routine and based on performance and national priorities.
Despite that, Kakwenza’s remarks have continued to circulate widely on social media, reflecting growing public interest in Uganda’s succession politics and the stability of its senior leadership ranks
Whether Alupo is indeed vulnerable to a reshuffle remains uncertain, but the conversation highlights the increasing attention on Uganda’s political hierarchy as pressure mounts on several senior officials