Lucy Akello
Born (1980-10-09) 9 October 1980
Uganda
NationalityUgandan
CitizenshipUgandan
EducationMakerere University
(Bachelor of Arts in Social Science)
Uganda Management Institute
(Certificate in Database Management Systems)
Uganda Martyrs University
(Master of Arts in Development Stufdies)
OccupationSocial worker & politician
Years active2005 to present
Employer(s)Justice & Peace Commission (JPC)
Amuru District
Parliament of Uganda
Known forPolitics
TitleHonourable
Political partyForum for Democratic Change (FDC)
ParentJohn Obina

Lucy Akello is a Ugandan social worker and politician, who served as the member of parliament for the Amuru District Women's Constituency in the 10th Parliament (2016 to 2021).[1][2][3] She was elected back to the eleventh Parliament representing Amuru District under FDC political party.[4][5] She is a member of the opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), and she serves as the shadow minister for labour, gender and social development.[6]

Background and education

Akello was born on 9 October 1980, in Lamogi sub-county, Amuru District, in the Northern Region of Uganda. Her father is John Obina, a lecturer at Kyambogo University.[7]

Akello attended Olwal Ocaja Primary School, later she attended Lacor Primary School, Mary Immaculate Primary School Gulu and Kyambogo Primary School for her Primary Leaving Certificate. She then attended Iganga Secondary School for her O-Level studies and then to Uganda Martyrs' Secondary School Namugongo, where she completed her A-Level education. She was admitted to Makerere University, in Kampala, where she graduated in 2004, with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Science. Later, in 2011, she obtained a Master of Arts in Development studies, from Uganda Martyrs University in Nkozi, Wakiso District.[1][7][8]

Work experience

In 2005, she was hired by Justice & Peace Commission (JPC), a local non-government organization within the Catholic Church that promotes peace and reconciliation in war-torn Northern Uganda. She worked there for ten years, beginning as a program officer, then as a program manager and from 2006 until 2014, as the executive director. Her focus was on human rights, land rights, women rights and children's rights.[1][7]

Political career

In October 2014, Betty Bigombe, the Amuru District Women's member of parliament resigned to take up an appointment at the World Bank, in Washington, DC.[9] A special election was organised to fill her seat in December 2014. Akello, running on the opposition FDC political party ticket, beat seven other candidates and won.[10][11] During the 2016 parliamentary election, she ran successfully, again on the FDC ticket.[12] She spoke 30 times during the first year of the 10th Parliament.[13]

Anti-Homosexuality Act

Akello was one of MPs who called for the renewal of the Anti-Homosexuality Act.[14] This act, restricting freedom of speech on LGBT civil rights and criminalized homosexual acts, was ruled invalid by Constitutional Court of Uganda in 2014. She succeeded in her goal as the Anti-Homosexuality Act was passed in May 2023. The act violates The Universal Declaration of Human Rights and International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights adopted by United Nations General Assembly as it infringes on freedom of speech and implements death penalty.

She has also spoken against rights of this part of population at international events, for example the event in Italy organized by World Congress of Families in 2019 .[15]

Family

Akello is a married mother.[7]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 POUG (20 November 2017). "Parliament of Uganda: Members of The 10th Parliament: Akello Lucy". Kampala: Parliament of Uganda (POUG). Archived from the original on 12 November 2017. Retrieved 20 November 2017.
  2. ↑ 93.3 KFM (7 December 2014). "Lucy Akello to be sworn in as new Amuru Woman MP on Tuesday". Kampala: Kfm.co.ug (93.3 KFM). Retrieved 20 November 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  3. ↑ "Amuru Woman MP sued over election". Monitor. 18 January 2021. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
  4. ↑ "Lucy Akello". theyworkforyou.github.io. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
  5. ↑ FDC's Lucy Akello wins Amuru by-elections, retrieved 4 February 2023
  6. ↑ Nafula, Anna (22 June 2016). "The FDC shadow cabinet list out". Kampala: Capitalradio.co.ug (Uganda Capital FM). Retrieved 20 November 2017.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Sadab Kitatta Kaaya (14 December 2014). "New Amuru broom speaks out". The Observer (Uganda). Kampala. Retrieved 20 November 2017.
  8. ↑ "Amuru Woman MP sued over election". Monitor. 18 January 2021. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
  9. ↑ Staff Writer (3 October 2014). "Bigombe Resigns As Amuru MP". Red Pepper. Mukono. Archived from the original on 17 October 2015. Retrieved 20 November 2017.
  10. ↑ Owich, James; Makumbi, Cissy (1 January 2015). "Amuru Woman MP sued over election". Daily Monitor. Kampala. Retrieved 20 November 2017.
  11. ↑ NTV Uganda (22 November 2014). "FDC's Lucy Akello wins Amuru Woman MP by-election". Kampala: NTV Uganda. Retrieved 20 November 2017.
  12. ↑ Otto, Alex (22 January 2016). "TDA Withdraws Support From Amuru Woman MP". Kampala: Uganda Radio Network. Retrieved 20 November 2017.
  13. ↑ Ocaido, Patrick (17 July 2017). "Most Silent, Active MPs Named". Kampala: Uganda7.com. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 21 November 2017.
  14. ↑ Dahir, Abdi Latif (22 March 2023). "Uganda Passes Strict Anti-Gay Bill That Imposes Death Penalty for Some". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 3 September 2023.
  15. ↑ "Italy's city of love becomes a battlefield". POLITICO. 1 April 2019. Retrieved 3 September 2023.
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