Police orders 'criminal gang' off Uganda House

PIC: Lira Municipality MP, James Akena

Following the wrangles between Uganda People's Congress (UPC) faction led by Lira Municipality MP James Akena and the party's financial arm, Milton Obote Foundation, the Police have ordered a group belonging to the latter off the UPC Headquarters building, Uganda House, and taken control of the security at the building.

According to a press release signed by Tom Omino as chief of staff, this follows a recent incident in which Akena was accosted when he visited the Milton Obote Foundation to deliver a letter to the chairman of the Board of Governors.

"The incident clearly demonstrates the inappropriate use of kanyamas (gangs) as security personnel at Uganda House. The President of UPC Hon. Jimmy Akena also happens to be a Member of the Milton Obote Foundation and was within his rights as per the ‘Amended' Articles of Association of the Milton Obote Foundation to visit the offices," reads the press release.

Omino further notes that it is the nature of the letter, which had earlier been subjected to a refusal of receipt by the General Manager of the foundation, a one Oyepa that appears to have sparked the unfortunate scuffle when Akena sought to deliver it himself.

"Indeed the request contained in the letter itself is in line with the very same Articles of Association as stated in Article 8: "All Members shall be entitled to the free use of the Library of the Foundation and to all such information as the Foundation or any of its officers may be able to supply," reads the communication.

The foundation has allegedly continuously resisted attempts to employ an acceptable regulated security firm as advised by the Police, to ensure security, and instead allegedly resorted to the use of a 100-man organised gang.