UPC MPs lose case against Otunnu

By Andante Okanya

The High Court has dismissed a case filed by two Uganda People's Congress (UPC) MPs who claimed Otunnu's continued stay in office was illegal and that his five-year tenure expired this year on March 13.

On Tuesday, Justice Stephen Musota dismissed the Betty Amongi(Oyam County South) and Fred Ebil(Kole County) allegation on grounds that it was a baseless rumour.

The duo sought to quash administrative decisions made by party leadership of president Dr Olara Otunnu.

The courtroom was filled by party members, mostly donning clothes with a tinge of read; the party's official colour.

(From L-R) UPC spokesperson Okello Lucima; party lawyer Darlington Opwonya; party electoral commission chief Moses Adekony; former Oyam South MP Isha Otto and Jimmy Ogwang celebrating at UPC head offices after the case raised by MP Betty Among and Fred Ebile was dismissed. Photo/Ramadhan Abbey

The ruling was delivered in the presence of lawyers; Charles Dalton Opwonya representing UPC and Otunnu. Lawyers Hassan Kamba and Julius Turinawe represented the petitioners.

"The first respondent (Otunnu) never resigned as alleged. The fact of resigning requires evidence not mere assertions," Musota ruled.

But citing Article 26(1) of the party Constitution, the judge noted that he said it is clearly stipulated that a person shall continue holding office until new elections are held.

Amongi is married to Jimmy Akena, who has expressed interest  in the party presidency. Akena is a son of the founding President, the late Milton Obote.

Musota stated that they should have invoked Article 24(1) of the party Constitution which stipulates conflict resolution mechanisms

Each of the factions was ordered to foot their legal bills. He explained that there is already an ongoing 2016 party roadmap.