Akena turns down Otunnu’s UPC job offer
Mar 24, 2010
UGANDAPeople’s Congress (UPC) president Olara Otunnu yesterday expressed dismay that Jimmy Akena, the runner-up in the race for the party presidency, had declined a place on his new cabinet.
By Moses Mulondo
UGANDAPeople’s Congress (UPC) president Olara Otunnu yesterday expressed dismay that Jimmy Akena, the runner-up in the race for the party presidency, had declined a place on his new cabinet.
“I invited him to join the cabinet and wanted him to continue as vice-chairman of the party, but he declined my offer. I regret he was not able to accept,†Otunnu told journalists.
The UPC constitution gives powers to the party president to appoint his executive.
Akena, the Lira Municipality MP and son of former president Milton Obote, confirmed yesterday that he turned down the offer.
“We had discussions with Otunnu but we did not reach an agreement. I declined the position of vice-chairman, which I did not feel I could take up at this time.â€
Asked whether he wanted any other position, Akena quipped: “That is between me and Olara Otunnu. It is not for the media.â€
On whether he would support Otunnu’s leadership, he said: “I will remain a congressman and I will remain working for the party to ensure that it is strengthened.â€
Otunnu appointed law lecturer Joseph Bbosa as secretary general. He will be deputised by Emmanuel Ofumbi. Former Mukono legislator Wagonda Muguli was named the chief administrative secretary.
Bushenyi UPC veteran politician Edward Rurangaranga has replaced Yona Kanyomozi as chairperson while the Rev. Jacinto Ogwal is vice-chairperson.
Other entrants in the new UPC leadership include Ruth Masika as the national women leader and Cecilia Anyakoit as national youth leader. The leader for people with disability is Apollo Ekibo.
Regional vice-chairpersons include Henry Mayega (central), Julius Ochen (northern), Rebecca Ereemye (eastern), Matiya Kisembo (mid-western), Ndiwa Ndikola (south-western), and Moses Tako Apiliga (West Nile).
Special envoys in the office of the president include former secretary general Chris Opoka, former treasurer Patrick Mwondha, MP Simon Ross Euku, Yona Kanyomozi and Sospater Akwenyu.
The deputy spokesperson is Moses Nuwagaba, while Emmanuel Rukundo is the deputy youth leader.
The chairman of the UPC council of elders is Justice George Masika. The members are Silvano Esiagi, Samwiri Mugwisa, Dick Nyai, Mary Tiberondwa, Andrew Nyote, the Rev. Cyprian Bamwoze and Rurangaranga.
The coordinator of the youth leadership council is former journalist Robert Kanusu, and the coordinator of the women leadership council is Margaret Ateng Otim.
Regional mobilisation coordinators include Paul Ogwal Olule (northern), Michael Osinde (eastern), Gideon Twinomugisha (south-western) and John Mary Kato (mid-western).
Otunnu stated that he is still carrying out consultations to fill the remaining positions which include the vice-president, national workers leader, spokesperson and regional mobilisation coordinator for central and West Nile.
Wearing a barkcloth strand around his left hand as a symbol of solidarity with the Buganda kingdom over the Kasubi tombs fire, Otunnu regretted to his supporters who filled Christ the King Hall that he would not allow them sing or dance to party songs.
The former UN diplomat re-echoed his call for an independent commission of inquiry and prosecution of people who committed atrocities during the Luwero bush war of 1981-85.
“We want those who committed crimes against humanity in Luwero to be brought to book. I am sure the massive trail of Luwero bloodshed leads to Museveni’s doorsteps.â€
Otunnu also rapped the coordinator of intelligence agencies, Lt. Gen. David Tinyefuza, for threatening him if he continues talking about Luwero.
“Tinyefuza depicted himself as a man who earns a living through crushing fellow human beings. We shall not be intimidated,†an angry Otunnu said.
Otunnu, who served as foreign minister under the Tito Okello military junta which was removed by Museveni’s NRA, returned last year after 23 years in exile.
UGANDAPeople’s Congress (UPC) president Olara Otunnu yesterday expressed dismay that Jimmy Akena, the runner-up in the race for the party presidency, had declined a place on his new cabinet.
“I invited him to join the cabinet and wanted him to continue as vice-chairman of the party, but he declined my offer. I regret he was not able to accept,†Otunnu told journalists.
The UPC constitution gives powers to the party president to appoint his executive.
Akena, the Lira Municipality MP and son of former president Milton Obote, confirmed yesterday that he turned down the offer.
“We had discussions with Otunnu but we did not reach an agreement. I declined the position of vice-chairman, which I did not feel I could take up at this time.â€
Asked whether he wanted any other position, Akena quipped: “That is between me and Olara Otunnu. It is not for the media.â€
On whether he would support Otunnu’s leadership, he said: “I will remain a congressman and I will remain working for the party to ensure that it is strengthened.â€
Otunnu appointed law lecturer Joseph Bbosa as secretary general. He will be deputised by Emmanuel Ofumbi. Former Mukono legislator Wagonda Muguli was named the chief administrative secretary.
Bushenyi UPC veteran politician Edward Rurangaranga has replaced Yona Kanyomozi as chairperson while the Rev. Jacinto Ogwal is vice-chairperson.
Other entrants in the new UPC leadership include Ruth Masika as the national women leader and Cecilia Anyakoit as national youth leader. The leader for people with disability is Apollo Ekibo.
Regional vice-chairpersons include Henry Mayega (central), Julius Ochen (northern), Rebecca Ereemye (eastern), Matiya Kisembo (mid-western), Ndiwa Ndikola (south-western), and Moses Tako Apiliga (West Nile).
Special envoys in the office of the president include former secretary general Chris Opoka, former treasurer Patrick Mwondha, MP Simon Ross Euku, Yona Kanyomozi and Sospater Akwenyu.
The deputy spokesperson is Moses Nuwagaba, while Emmanuel Rukundo is the deputy youth leader.
The chairman of the UPC council of elders is Justice George Masika. The members are Silvano Esiagi, Samwiri Mugwisa, Dick Nyai, Mary Tiberondwa, Andrew Nyote, the Rev. Cyprian Bamwoze and Rurangaranga.
The coordinator of the youth leadership council is former journalist Robert Kanusu, and the coordinator of the women leadership council is Margaret Ateng Otim.
Regional mobilisation coordinators include Paul Ogwal Olule (northern), Michael Osinde (eastern), Gideon Twinomugisha (south-western) and John Mary Kato (mid-western).
Otunnu stated that he is still carrying out consultations to fill the remaining positions which include the vice-president, national workers leader, spokesperson and regional mobilisation coordinator for central and West Nile.
Wearing a barkcloth strand around his left hand as a symbol of solidarity with the Buganda kingdom over the Kasubi tombs fire, Otunnu regretted to his supporters who filled Christ the King Hall that he would not allow them sing or dance to party songs.
The former UN diplomat re-echoed his call for an independent commission of inquiry and prosecution of people who committed atrocities during the Luwero bush war of 1981-85.
“We want those who committed crimes against humanity in Luwero to be brought to book. I am sure the massive trail of Luwero bloodshed leads to Museveni’s doorsteps.â€
Otunnu also rapped the coordinator of intelligence agencies, Lt. Gen. David Tinyefuza, for threatening him if he continues talking about Luwero.
“Tinyefuza depicted himself as a man who earns a living through crushing fellow human beings. We shall not be intimidated,†an angry Otunnu said.
Otunnu, who served as foreign minister under the Tito Okello military junta which was removed by Museveni’s NRA, returned last year after 23 years in exile.