UPC targets LC1 by-elections

Jul 24, 2019

Osinde maintained that it was heavily involved in rebuilding its structures from grassroots necessitating full participation in the LC elections.

POLITICS

Ahead of today's Local Council (LC) by-elections in villages and parishes which didn't vote across the country, the Uganda People's Congress (UPC) has alerted its members to fully participate.

According to the party, winning more village leadership seats was crucial to support the party mobilization targets to retake the leadership of this country.

The Electoral Commission (EC) earmarked July 25, 2019, to hold elections for LC1 chairpersons and parish committees where the electoral process was not conducted in July 2018.

According to EC, these elections were postponed due to violent conduct that led to the destruction of election materials, where no nominations were conducted and the resignation of elected chairpersons.

Addressing a weekly party press conference at the party headquarters in Kampala yesterday, the party spokesperson, Michael Osinde, called upon all its members to offer themselves to this opportunity and get heavily involved in the by-elections of LC1 chairpersons, parishes, and committees.

"This will help the party to get more prepared and organized for the forthcoming polls in 2021," Osinde emphasized.

However, Osinde implored them to abide by the rules and regulations governing the electoral process.

 Osinde maintained that it was heavily involved in rebuilding its structures from grassroots necessitating full participation in the LC elections.

In preparation for the 2021 general elections, Osinde revealed that the party cabinet convened on Monday for key points of action for the party to fully participate.

The leadership agreed to convene the National Council in November to receive and approve the party election road map suggested by the cabinet.

"It will also consider all the reports, review the terms and conditions of services of the staff, consider audited accounts and approve the budget and annual work plan," Osinde said.

The party president, Jimmy Akena, together with the top party leadership, according to Osinde, was already presiding over a process of renewing the party leadership structures.

According to the party, this will be concluded before the district and the delegates' conference by May 2020.

"It is important to note that the said top leadership is having activities in Arua and the rest shall as scheduled," Osinde added.

The party used the same occasion to address Uganda's labour export policy with the continued reports of gross violations of Ugandans working in the Middle East.

UPC called for government intervention to ensure the rights of Ugandan migrant workers are protected and respected.

"It should lay down strict policies that should be followed by licensed companies," Osinde remarked.

The party also wants all these processes to be fully streamlined and gaps or shortcomings worked on immediately.

"Enough orientation lessons or inductions should be done by competent personnel who have a deeper understanding of the Arab way of life and culture.

On the other hand, as UPC we call upon workers to join trade unions to fight for their rights at work and this shall help our people to fit in easily in the working environment," Osinde stated.

Reports indicate that the number of Ugandans working in the Middle East has increased from, 10,000 in 2010 to over 140,000 as of June 2019.

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