History as Cheptoek wins Kapchorwa Woman MP NRM flag

KAPCHORWA - Betty Kaali Cheptoek, Kapchorwa's district councillor for persons with disabilities (PWDs), was early Friday declared the National Resistance Movement (NRM) flagbearer for the Kapchorwa Woman MP seat in a re-run of the primary elections.

She becomes the first PWD candidate in the Sebei sub-region to be elected NRM parliamentary flagbearer.

The acting NRM district registrar, Isaac Chepkurui, officially announced Cheptoek's win after she secured 26,688 votes, beating her closest rival and incumbent MP Phyllis Chemutai, who polled 22,803.

In third place was Jalia Seiko, daughter of famed UPDF officer Col Juma Seiko, with 6,719 votes, followed by Susan Chemutai at 4,589, and Juliet Baulah Cheboyeyin, who came fifth with 1,618 votes.

The results from Kapchorwa's 12 sub-counties and three municipal divisions were tallied under tight security at the Kapchorwa District Council Hall.

Betty Cheptoek Kaali being congratulated by the NRM acting district returning officer, Isaac Chepkurui, who declared her winner of the Kapchorwa NRM primary elections re-run.

'My brain is not disabled'

Speaking after being declared winner, Cheptoek appeared visibly emotional.
"I thank the people of Kapchorwa district who have spoken, and their voice is the voice of God," she said.

"I want to thank the entire NRM family, DEC, NEC, CEC, the NRM electoral commission, and His Excellency President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, our party chairman."

Cheptoek, a social worker and graduate of Kyambogo University with a bachelor's degree in Adult and Continuing Education, is pursuing a master's degree at the same institution. She has served as Kapchorwa's female PWD district councillor since 2021.

Cheptoek being congratulated by her challenger Susan Chemutai.

"My brain is not disabled; I know what the existing gaps have been in our district," she said.

"President Museveni and the entire NRM party must be performing much better in Kapchorwa, but because the leaders underserve our people, they tend to compromise that support. That is going to be history now."

'Visionary and courageous'

Cheptoek worked with the National Union of Disabled Persons of Uganda (NUDIPU) for nine years, eventually becoming the programme manager for the youth project.

She serves as treasurer of the National Union of Women with Disabilities Organization (NUWODU), having earlier represented the Eastern region on its board.

In 2020, she founded Show Abilities Uganda (SAU), a national umbrella organization that advocates for the rights of youth with disabilities.

Her message of inclusion, equality, and integrity resonated with voters like Hassan Mangusho, a resident of Kapsebel village, Kapnongore parish, Amukol sub-county in Tingey County.

"She is visionary, courageous, articulate, and understands the core roles of a Member of Parliament," he said.

Cheptoek’s supporters celebrating her victory outside the tally centre.

"Her milestones in education, leadership, and personal growth have demonstrated to us, the people of Kapchorwa, that disability is not inability."

Susan Chemutai, one of her challengers in the internal election, was quick to congratulate Cheptoek.

"I serve as a councillor with my sister Betty, and I know she has the strength to serve Kapchorwa district and the NRM party better," she said.

Fred Jachan Omach, the NRM electoral commission vice-chairperson, and other senior officials from the party headquarters in Kampala, supervised the vote tallying and announcement.

Cheptoek's historic win could redefine mainstream representation for PWDs in Ugandan politics.

Her win over MP Chemutai also means that no incumbent woman MP hailing from Sebei has retained the NRM flag since Emma Rose Cherukut of Kween and Evelyn Chemutai of Bukwo both lost the flag.