The Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) has appointed Dr. Eunice Apio Otuko as the party’s new whip in Uganda’s 12th Parliament. Faisa Muzeyi, the Head of Media and Communications at the UPC, says Dr. Apio was appointed by UPC Party President Jimmy Akena and details addressed to the Speaker of Parliament.
He said that the decision was reached in consultation with the party’s Secretary General, Fred Ebil, and the entire UPC cabinet. The letter states that Dr. Apio Otuko, who serves as the Member of Parliament for Oyam North Constituency, assumes the role with immediate effect.
“The appointment has been made by the UPC Party President in consultation with the Secretary General, Mr. Fred Ebil, together with the entire UPC Cabinet,” the statement reads. The party with 12 members also called on Parliament to recognize and cooperate with the newly appointed whip as she takes on her responsibilities in the House. The appointment is expected to strengthen UPC’s coordination and representation within Parliament as the party seeks to consolidate its role in national politics.
Dr. Apio Otuku’s appointment adds to a growing list of opposition parliamentary leadership changes and appointments in the 12th Parliament. She was also designated to the Parliament’s Appointments Committee alongside other opposition party leaders like Betty Aol Ochan of the People’s Front for Freedom, Lucy Akello of the Forum for Democratic Change, Ismail Kasule of Alliance for National Transformation, and Peter Okot of the Democratic Party.
They will join the NUP’s team that includes the Nakawa West MP and Leader of Opposition in Parliament, Joel Senyonyi, the Jinja South Division East MP Paul Mwiru, who doubles as the Opposition Chief Whip in Parliament, the Kalungu West MP, Joseph Ssewungu, and the Mukono District Woman MP, Amaniyo Sheila Draville.
Apio joined parliament after the death of Col. (Rtd) Charles Okello Engola, also State Minister for Labour, who was shot dead on May 2, 2023, by his bodyguard, Private Wilson Sabiiti, at his home in Kyanja, Kampala. Born in Oyam District in 1975, Dr. Apio studied at St. Mary’s College Aboke and Tororo Girls’ School before joining Makerere University, where she obtained a bachelor’s degree in science.
She later earned a master’s degree in Human Rights and a PhD in African Studies and Anthropology from the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom. Before joining active politics, Dr. Apio built a career in peacebuilding, human rights advocacy, and post-conflict recovery work in Northern Uganda.
She founded Facilitation for Peace and Development (FAPAD), an organisation that supports women, children, widows, and communities affected by conflict in the Lango sub-region. She is also a published writer and researcher whose work focuses on peace, justice, gender, and African social issues-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
