Akena’s UPC faction moves to expel him

James Akena receives a medal from President Museveni in 2010 on behalf of his late father, former president Milton Obote.

What you need to know:

  • Mr Kemba said as matter of fact, there has never been and there is neither such alliance nor talks between UPC and NRM.

  • After the elections, Mr Museveni, who won, appointed Mr Akena’s wife Ms Betty Amongin as Lands minister.

KAMPALA- A faction of Uganda Peoples Congress (UPC) party led by Lira Municipality MP Mr Jimmy Akena has turned against their boss demanding his ouster on grounds that he is handing over the party to ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).

Faction members led by Mr Higenyi Kemba told journalists at Melting Pot Restaurant in Kampala on Tuesday that Mr Akena has been holding secret meetings with President Yoweri Museveni to finalise  his creepy plan.

Mr Kemba is Mr Akena’s office administrator.

 “Mr Akena is hereby asked to publically disassociate himself from NRM or resign immediately. We cannot   accept a situation where one is wearing yellow inside but masquerading in a red shirt.  UPC is pure and open whoever is talking in the dark should leave the party,” Mr Kemba said.

During the 2016 presidential campaigns in Lango region, President Museveni said NRM was in talks with Mr Akena’s UPC.

Mr Akena’s camp which is at loggerheads with another faction led by Mr Olara Otunnu, however, dismissed reports that the party was on the verge of merging with the ruling National Resistance Movement party.

Mr Akena insisted that the talks with NRM were just part of a series of engagements with different political parties and organisations that had fielded presidential candidates in the 2016 elections.

After the elections, Mr Museveni, who won, appointed Mr Akena’s wife Ms Betty Amongin as Lands minister.

 “I convinced the leaders of UPC that this [Akena] the son of Obote had suffered a lot under Musevenism and cannot be the one to join Museveni but I am shocked,” Mr Kemba said.  “I take responsibility for having brought Akena to Uganda House [UPC headquarters] I am now at the fore front of removing   Akena and his Musevenism out of UPC.”

However, Mr Akena refused to respond to the development saying he is not aware about the information.

“I have to first read through the press release where they are asking me to resign then I   will respond immediately,” Mr Akena said.

Mr Kemba said as matter of fact, there has never been and there is neither such alliance nor talks between UPC and NRM.

 “We disassociate ourselves from the alleged talks between UPC and NRM which has been reported widely and if Mr Akena did it, it was for his personal interests not the party,” Mr Kemba said.