UPC delegates conference still on, says Akena
Jun 23, 2015
The recently elected president of Uganda People's Congress (UPC), Jimmy Akena, has dismissed Olara Otunnu's statement calling off the party's delegates' conference scheduled for July 10 as "nonsense".
By Umaru Kashaka
The recently elected president of Uganda People's Congress (UPC), Jimmy Akena, has dismissed Olara Otunnu's statement calling off the party's delegates' conference scheduled for July 10 as "nonsense".
Akena told New Vision on Tuesday that preparations for the delegates conference were in high gear and challenged Otunnu on the establishment of a committee to investigate allegations of irregularities that marred the elections that brought him in office early this month.
"We are preparing for the delegates conference which will take place on July 10 to chart a way forward for the party. That committee is totally alien to our constitution and he (Otunnu) is trying to mislead people," said Akena, who is also Lira Municipality MP.
He wondered: "What is it (committee) going to investigate and which organs is he (Otunnu) talking about when he has never convened any of them ever since he was elected? It's nonsense."
Otunnu on Monday explained to journalists at Speke Hotel in Kampala how he had named a four-man committee to investigate what he said were election-related irregularities in recent internal processes and the occupation of the party headquarters by Akena's supporters.
He said the committee, which is expected to report its findings on July 10, is chaired by Prof. Patrick Rubaihayo and its secretary is Peter Walubiri, a city lawyer.
Other members are Prof. Charles Kagenda Atwooki and Prof. W. W Anokbonggo.
"In the prevailing situation of occupation, hostage-taking, violence, and the corruption of crucial documents and documentation at party headquarters, it is impossible to conduct party business and activities normally. This includes the proper planning and organisation of scheduled sessions of the national council and delegates' conference," Otunnu said.
Otunnu argued that he was acting in conformity with article 13.3 (2) of the party constitution, to postpone the delegates conference until further notice.
The Oyam South MP and Akena's wife Betty Amongi said Otunnu cannot stop the will of the people who participated in last month's elections.
"The delegates conference is no longer the issue of Otunnu and come July 10, we shall have the delegates conference," Amongi said.
She also said there was peace at Uganda House and 80% of staff under Otunnu administration is working.
Akena, the late Milton Obote's son defeated eight other contestants to the top seat after being endorsed by 67 districts.
He was subsequently announced by UPC's electoral commission chairman John Buzu as the party's 2016 presidential election sole candidate to be approved by the forthcoming delegates' conference.
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