I’m ready to retire, says Miria Obote

May 24, 2009

THE Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) president, Miria Kalule Obote, has said she is ready to retire.

By Moses Mulondo

THE Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) president, Miria Kalule Obote, has said she is ready to retire.

“Now that I have spearheaded the formation of a new constitution, I am ready to retire,” she told delegates during the launch at Joka’s Hotel in Bweyogerere, Kampala, on Saturday.

“It has taken us long to reach this stage, but we are going to be swift at influencing the nation. You can now fasten your seat belts because we are about to fly into State House come 2011.”

Mrs. Obote said UPC would soon start grassroots elections as they prepare for the delegates conference in October, during which she will hand over the leadership of the party.

The party deputy general secretary, Chris Opoka, explained that the new constitution requires that a presidential aspirant be endorsed by at least a third of the district party organs.

He said the other amendments include the respect for cultural institutions and support for a federal system of governance.

According to sources, campaigns for the UPC top seat have kicked off.

Those eyeing the seat include Lira Municipality MP Jimmy Akena, Yona Kanyomozi of the East African Parliament and UPC vice-president Livingstone Okello Okello.

Others are former UN employee Olara Otunu, former minister Darlington Ssakwa, former Makerere University guild president George Okurapa, former UPC spokesman Joseph Ochieno, UPC general secretary Peter Walubiri, Henry Mayega and Sospater Akwenyu, the UPC administrative secretary.

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