Ochieno eyes UPC party presidency

By Josephine Maseruka

JOSEPH Ochieno, UPC’s Special envoy to Iceland and the United Kingdom, has declared his intention to contest for the UPC presidency.

At a weekly UPC briefing on Wednesday, Ochieno, who has been in self-exile in London since 1987, said: “The country needs a fresh start, new leadership, a sense of direction and I am back to offer that.”

Ochieno, who holds a degree in Library Information and a Masters in Refugee Development, joins six other aspiring candidates who will be screened by a UPC select committee.

Others are Henry Mayega, former UN-envoy Olara Otunnu, Fred Luweero, Patrick Mwondha, the party’s national treasurer and Yona Kanyomozi, the national chairman.

Commenting about the competition, he said: “I have no quarrel with any aspiring candidates but people must choose the most suitable, someone who can be trusted.”

Whoever will be selected would provide a better leader than any of the other political parties, he said.