Call For Bakoko To Go Back Into Politics Dominates Her Homecoming Preparation
President Museveni (R) with Bakoko in USA in 2015
ARUA. Preparations are in high gear to welcome Zoe Bakoko Bakoru back home in Arua city, after years of self-exile in the United States of America (USA).
Bakoko returned to Uganda in August last year on the invitation of President Yoweri Museveni.
She has all along been working and staying with the President’s young brother, Gen. Salim Saleh in Gulu.
Now a committee led by Caesar Trinity Draecabo has been formed to spearhead the necessary preparations for Bakoko’s homecoming slated to take place at Ayivu Division headquarters in Onduparaka on April 13, 2025.
While addressing journalists at Tropical Suites hotel in Arua city on Saturday, April 5, 2025, Draecabo said they are excited about Bakoko’s homecoming because she diligently served this country and her people in the entire West Nile sub-region in various capacities.
Bakoko first served as a professional Nurse in Yumbe hospital and later joined politics as Arua district Woman Member of Parliament (MP) and Ayivu County MP respectively.
She was then appointed as the Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development, a position she held until going into self-exile.
As a result, Draecabo said Bakoko’s contributions in driving development, peace and unity are in the history books of the West Nile sub-region.
“I’m particularly honored to be steering the committee that is putting in place necessary arrangements to receive her on 13th of April, 2025. The event will be at Ayivu Division headquarters in Onduparaka. We want to welcome everybody, and at this very time, we are very thankful to the government, especially President Museveni for making this happen,” Draecabo said.
“So, we are doing this to appreciate her contribution in service to humanity, we are doing this to appreciate her for the service she has given to this country in different positions, we are also doing this to appreciate His Excellency the President because Hon. Bakoko’s coming back will definitely mean an additional back up to the office of the Commissioner and other strong NRM committed members,” Draecabo added.
He said Bakoko is definitely coming to be part of the team that will go around West Nile to mobilize votes for the President.
“So, we are doing this as our appreciation to the President, not just verbal, West Nile should give more votes to the President who is sacrificing everything to see that we have a country that enjoys peace. If I had one wish, the wish would be for the President to position Hon. Bakoko in a position where she can continue giving service to the entire country; she was a Minister, it would be great also if she can be back in that position,” Draecabo appealed.
Angelo Drani Dradriga, a former member of the National Resistance Council representing Ayivu County Constituency, said the fact that Bakoko is going to be received in West Nile through Yumbe district was a deliberate decision taken by the government and the leaders of West Nile.
He said this has been done in recognition of Bakoko’s role in peace building in Yumbe district.
“So, we are celebrating her as a peace Hero in the context of the Yumbe peace festival. On the 12th April, 2025, peace Heros are going to be recognized and Hon. Bakoko is one of them. So, her coming is extremely crucial and deliberate through Yumbe district because of her contribution in peace building not only in Yumbe district but also for the whole of West Nile and indeed for Uganda,” Dradriga said.
Dradriga, however, noted that in Ugandan politics, senior politicians like Bakoko who can speak out for the people, are much needed.
For that reason, he said they need Hon. Bakoko to come back on board and rejuvenate that signage for transformation of Ayivu, Arua city and West Nile at large
“That is the reason why after I held consultations, people are saying she must come back in politics; back into Parliament and back in Cabinet,” Dradriga said.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Faith Cicilia Bako Story, Bakoko’s second child, said the importance of her mother coming home after a long time is absolutely significant for them as a family.
“It is amazing to see the entire family feel the unity once we felt under her wing. Mummy has always been the only backbone in our family. She held our family with such diligence and such beauty and with such courage, and there are so many people who call her mummy due to her care and love,” Bako said.
“For over 16 years, her not being here felt a loss that I would as much as say perhaps when somebody loses a dear one,” Bako stated.
In his remarks, Swadick Angupale Alemi, the Arua Deputy Resident City Commissioner in charge of Central Division, thanked God for Bakoko’s homecoming.
He confirmed that all has been done to welcome Bakoko back home on the 13th day of April, to unite with her family and the people of West Nile and Uganda as a whole.