Otunnu blasts UPC dissenters

By Andante Okanya

UGANDA People's Congress (UPC) party president Olara Otunnu has hit back at dissenters within the party who are demanding that he relinquishes the position, branding them saboteurs.

Otunnu's stance is contained in his affidavit filed on Monday at the civil division of the High Court in Kampala. It was filed through Opwonya and Company Advocates.

Otunnu's rebuttal is in response to a suit filed two weeks ago by two party members, also legislators Betty Amongi (Oyam County South) and Fred Ebil (Kole County).

In the suit against Otunnu, the party and its secretary general Jacinto Ogwal, they accuse Otunnu whom they accuse of declining to depart despite expiry of his term.

The duo wants court to quash Otunnu's decision to delegate powers of the presidency to the secretary general. Amongi is married to Jimmy Akena, who has expressed interest in the party presidency.

Akena is a son of the founding President, the late Milton Obote.

They are also demanding that Otunnu be compelled to convene the party's delegates' conference and national council to elect a new party president.

But Otunnu dismisses the suit as misconceived and riddled with falsehoods, saying he has never resigned, neither has he delegated any powers as alleged.

"I have never made a speech resigning from my position as President of the third respondent (UPC) but I declared my position and intention as at that point in time not to stand for re-election in the next relevant elections," Otunnu asserts.

Adding: "It is the applicants and their like-minded collaborators that have been carrying out various activities of sabotage to prevent the UPC cabinet to effectively mobilise funding for the meetings of the National Council and the Annual Delegates' Conference."

Otunnu also refutes allegations that he harbours a sinister intention to destroy the party. He makes a counter-accusation, saying it is instead the dissenters who should show good-will by withdrawing the case and dialoguing with the executive on the road map to the 2016 general elections.

Also yesterday, court presided over by Justice Stephen Musota had convened to start preliminary hearing.

However, Charles Dalton Opwonya; lawyer for both the party and Otunnu, and Julius Turinawe; lawyer for the two legislators, requested for an adjournment to enable them make adequate preparations to argue the case.

Accordingly, the judge adjourned to April 20, and counseled the parties to explore the option of reconciliation.

"Use this time to caucus and settle out of court. Honestly, do you want court to tell you to organize a delegates' conference," Musota advised.

Ebil who was present in court, told the judge that the option of reconciliation was being considered.