UPC MPs sue Olara Otunnu

By Andante Okanya

Eight MPs from the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) have dragged party president Olara Otunnu to court over alleged failure to call a special delegates conference to sort out unrest in the party.

In the suit filed on May 24 at the High Court in Kampala, the MPs want court to compel Otunnu to call the delegates conference as agreed upon in a resolution by party members. The suit was filed through Ayena Odongo and Company Advocates.

The MPs are James Akena (Lira Municipality),Crispus Ayena Odongo (Oyam North), Benson Obua Ogwal (Moroto County), Fred Ebil (Kole County), Lucy Ajok (Apac Woman), Ruth Achieng (Kole Woman), Santa Alum (Oyam Woman), and Betty Amongi (Apac Woman). Also included is Akena’s cousin Charles Akora.

The MPs justify their action to sue Otunnu, stating that they have keen interest in the due process of the law in management of party affairs, particularly in respect of the party constitution. The party is listed as the second respondent.

The suit is supported by the affidavit of Akena, who contends that Otunnu’s adamant attitude is bound to take the party on a disastrous path since he has turned out to be a divisive figure.

“Actions of the first respondent (Otunnu) have caused sharp divisions within the party which can no longer be resolved without the delegates conference as the supreme organ of the respondent party and the calling of the special delegates conference would not prejudice the party,” Akena contends.

Otunnu is yet to respond to the aggrieved MPs’ claims. A hearing date for the case is yet to be fixed.