UPC blacklists MP Akena in new row

LIRA.

Uganda Peoples Congress (UPC) in Lango sub-region has banned three Members of Parliament from standing for election in 2016 on the party ticket over alleged indiscipline.

The decision to blacklist the trio from carrying the party flag was reached at a Lango UPC elders meeting held in Lira Town last week.

Those prohibited are Lira Municipality MP Jimmy Akena, Kole County MP Fred Ebil and Oyam South County MP Betty Amongi. Mr Akena is son of UPC founding president Apolo Milton Obote while Ms Amongi is his partner.

In a joint press conference in Lira Town on Monday, the Kole District UPC chairman, Mr Charles Okeng Olet, said the UPC party is not ready to accommodate “moles” (spies) in the party.

His Lira District counterpart Dan Okello said: “It has come to light that the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) has planted people who are paid a lot of money to cause a lot of conflict and confusion within UPC.”

Mr Okello alleged that the intentions of infiltration of the party is to destabilise UPC and stop mobilisation activities.

This month, a group led by Ms Amongi and Mr Ebil went to court after the UPC president, Mr Olara Otunnu, declared he would not seek re-election.

The duo sought a court declaration that the delegation of the functions of elected party organs or the party presidency powers to the UPC secretary general, was null and void. They claimed it was a violation of the UPC constitution and of no legal effect.

However, the UPC adhoc committee in Lango sub-region, accuses the three MPs of being responsible for the infighting and confusion rocking the UPC party.

The Lango UPC committee comprises 15 leaders from Amolatar, Alebtong, Apac, Dokolo, Kole, Lira, Oyam, and Otuke districts.

Mr Johnson Engol, the UPC ad hoc committee’s interim chairman, said the affected legislators have to apologise to UPC party leadership.

Mr Akena said yesterday that he was not aware of the developments, adding that the adhoc committee is not anywhere in UPC party structures. “Those people who are purporting to be adhoc members, I am not aware of them. In case one is to face disciplinary action, it’s the party constitution that is mandated on the matter,” Mr Akena said.

UPC vice president Joseph Bbosa said the party constitution has no specific provision on such scenarios. He, however, said people at the grassroots should decide whom they want to be their leader or representative in Parliament.

“That issue cannot stop Mr Akena and his colleagues to contest on UPC ticket. They will go through the primaries until the voters decide on whom they want to lead them,” Mr Bbosa said.

Asked whether the new rift would have an effect on the ongoing mediation to mend fences between different factions in the party, Mr Bbosa said it was difficult to tell.

“I don’t know if this will affect our negotiations because we have some party elders who are selecting those on the negotiation committee. I am not sure if Mr Akena will be among those who will be on that committee,” Mr Bbosa said.

Efforts to get a comment from Mr Ebil and Ms Amongi were futile by press time.

Previous cases

In 2013, a group led by Maj Edward Rurangaranga, Mr Akena and Mr Sosphater Akwenyu sued the party, demanding that party leaders convene a national council and delegates conference.

In 2014, another group led by Mr David Pulkol also secured a court injunction, stopping all party activities, meetings, grassroots elections, workshops and mobilisation.