UPC's Otunnu disowns Opoka, fires chief whip

By Jeff Andrew Lule         

Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) boss, Dr Olara Otunnu has disowned Chris Opoka as the party’s East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) representative.

Otunnu has also fired the party’s chief whip, Betty Amongi, appointing the party’s secretary general, Rev Fr. Jacinto Ogwal as chief whip

Otunnu made the announcement while addressing journalists at the party’s weekly press briefing at the party’s headquarters in Kampala on Thursday.

“We wish to state unequivocally that UPC does not recognise the election of Chris Opoka Okumu as its representative. He is representing NRM not UPC because we did not nominate him,” he noted.

He alleged that the election of Opoka was an NRM project, organized and executed by the NRM Caucus with the collusion of Amongi.

Otunnu said Amongi has persistently stated in Parliament that Opoka was nominated by the party cabinet which is a falsehood; a cover for NRM which she has been the key accomplice.

He said Opoka even never wrote to the party secretary general as required to be considered for the nomination by UPC like other 21 members who had showed interest.

He added that after UPC learned of the contrived nomination, they sent two communications to the Clerk to Parliament, formally withdrawing Opoka’s nomination but that no action was taken.

Otunnu said the party leadership also wrote to Opoka calling on him not to proceed with the kangaroo nomination and elections as a UPC member but just ignored the call.

“UPC does not recognize the process or the outcome of the so-called EALA elections conducted in Parliament recently. We still demand for a fairer allocation of seats in conformity with the principles and spirit of the treaty and we still stand by that,” Otunnu added.

He accused Amongi for using her position to sabotage the stand and policies of UPC.

“This is entirely unacceptable. The party has therefore decided, with immediate effect to relieve Amongi of her position as UPC Party Whip. This role is now assigned to Rev Fr. Jacinto Ogwal,” he added.

Otunnu said according to UPC constitution 2008; Article 15.2 (2) and Rules of Procedure of the Parliament of Uganda, Rule 13(7), and political parties appoint their whips.

About being dismissed from the shadow cabinet, Otunnu stressed it is not a decision by one member.

“The shadow cabinet was built collectively by all the opposition members in Parliament. Even a shadow cabinet can’t be built on one party. Such a decision will need parties to come together and discuss the matter before any decision is taken,” he said.

Ogwal defended himself at the same briefing that he was tricked by the party MPs to endorse Opoka at Parliament, claiming he was the official party’s choice.

“All my bosses were away and they used the chance to confuse me. They told me that the top leadership had nominated Opoka as the best candidate and I signed the papers. I was not aware of the right procedures,” he said.