Alebtong, Uganda – The people of Alebtong District officially have their new representative in Uganda’s 12th Parliament. Dr. Mercy Faith Lakisa was sworn in as Woman Member of Parliament for Alebtong in a brief but solemn ceremony held at the Parliament Building at approximately 11:00 am today.
Presiding over the oath-taking, the Clerk of Parliament administered the oath of allegiance and the oath of a Member of Parliament, after which Dr. Lakisa formally assumed her seat on the floor of the House. Her swearing-in completes the electoral representation for Alebtong in the current parliamentary term.
Speaking briefly to journalists shortly after the ceremony, Dr. Lakisa struck a tone of gratitude and determination, outlining an ambitious vision centered on three core pillars: health, education, and poverty eradication.
“Today is not about me. It is about every mother in Alebtong who cannot access a health centre III, every child learning under a tree, and every family trapped in cycles of poverty,” Dr. Lakisa said. “My work in the 12th Parliament will be measured not by how many speeches I make, but by how many lives we change.”
Dr. Lakisa, who holds a doctorate in a health-related field, emphasized that her medical background will inform her legislative priorities. She specifically pledged to advocate for: Improved healthcare infrastructure in Alebtong’s rural sub-counties, including better staffing and drug supply at public facilities,Increased funding for universal education, with a focus on keeping girls in school and reducing teenage pregnancy rates in the district,Skills development and microfinance programs aimed at lifting vulnerable households out of poverty, particularly women-headed homes.
Political observers note that Dr. Lakisa steps into the role at a critical time, as the 12th Parliament is expected to debate key budget allocations for health and education, as well as the ongoing Parish Development Model (PDM) aimed at household income growth.
Her election victory had been widely celebrated in Alebtong as a win for professional, service-oriented leadership. Constituents who gathered near the district headquarters earlier in the day expressed hope that her tenure would bring tangible change.
“We have sent many people before, but Dr. Lakisa understands our suffering because she has treated our sick and listened to our problems,” said Florence Akello, a resident of Alebtong Town Council. “We believe she will deliver.”
Dr. Lakisa concluded her remarks with a direct message to the people of Alebtong: “My office door will remain open. My phone will be on. And my conscience will always be guided by one question: Is Alebtong better off than it was yesterday?”
The 12th Parliament is expected to proceed with full sittings later this week, where Dr. Lakisa is likely to make her maiden speech on behalf of the women and youth of Alebtong District.
