What should have been a season of celebration for Palisa District Woman Member of Parliament–elect Catherine Achola instead became a moment of deep reflection, as triumph gave way to loss.
Just days after being declared the winner in the 2026 parliamentary elections, Achola’s mother, Peninah Immaculate Agwang Osupele, passed away at the age of 90—closing a chapter on a life that had patiently endured and believed in her daughter’s long political journey.
Achola first contested the Palisa Woman MP seat in 2016 on the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) ticket but was unsuccessful. She made a second attempt in a 2018 by-election, following the creation of Butebo District, only to be denied victory again.
“In 2016 I won, but my opponent was declared the winner under unexplainable circumstances. In 2018, a few days before the election, I was disqualified and my opponent declared unopposed. It was painful because the people wanted me to win, irrespective of party affiliation,” Achola recalled.
In 2021, she joined the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) but failed to secure the party flag. Her persistence finally paid off in 2026 when she won the NRM primaries and went on to clinch victory in the parliamentary elections.
“I started this campaign without a single shilling in my account, but I had the people. I attribute that to the legacy of my father, who was a kind and generous man,” Achola said. “The electorate ran the campaign, safeguarded the votes, and stood with me throughout.”
Her campaign team, including Teddy Ikuyat, Jeremiah Aroing, and Jwade Mark Bakunga Balya, acknowledged the long journey of perseverance that brought Achola to victory.
“It has not been a simple journey. The people of Palisa trust and love her, but in the past, some individuals manipulated her vote and blocked her victory. Thanks to God, even as we grieve the loss of her mother, we also celebrate this triumph,” they said.
Achola secured 60,800 votes against 34,000 for the runner-up, marking a decisive win for her in the just-concluded parliamentary election.
Family members say the late Osupele maintained a deep emotional attachment to her daughter’s political ambitions, closely following each attempt to enter Parliament over the years.
“She was thrilled when she heard about my victory; it was like her dream had been fulfilled,” Achola said.
At the funeral, grief mingled with gratitude. Mourners spoke not only of loss, but also of fulfilment, describing Osupele as a mother who departed having seen her prayers answered.
“As a person, I am grateful. There are many lessons I have drawn from her. She was selfless, bore pain for over 30 years, and never gave up because she wanted all her children settled. Her greatest wish was to see me attain my desire to serve as Woman MP. When she heard I was declared winner, I believe she felt at peace. The next day, we took her to the ICU,” Achola said.
As Achola prepares to take office, she carries both the weight of public responsibility and the memory of a mother whose belief never wavered.
For many in Palisa, her story is a reminder that behind every political victory are unseen sacrifices—and that sometimes, triumph and farewell arrive hand in hand.
