Uganda People’s Congress Flag

Division in the Uganda People’s Congress party is not about to end. The party which has ever been in power twice finds that some of its Members of Parliament are calling for the current party president Jimmy Akena to vacate the party offices.

The UPC MPs are divided over their two rivals: the ousted UPC president Olara Otunu and current President Jimmy Akena. UPC Parliamentary caucus chairman who is also Otuke county MP Rev. Father Dr. Jacinto Ogwal says since he sides with the ousted President Olara Otunu the other MPs who support Jimmy Akena cannot even support the common cause of The Democratic Alliance (TDA), which is a coalition planning to present one candidate for the opposition to stand against the incumbent, in a bid to not divide the opposition vote.

Jacinto Ogwal asked Jimmy Akena to leave the party because he is illegally in it and told him to apologize to party members over the chaos he caused at the party when his supporters destroyed the party properties. He said that the party is being destroyed because some UPC Members of Parliament are relatives to Jimmy Akena.

Ogwal further stressed that UPC Members of Parliament who belong to ousted party president Olara Otunu support TDA for opposition to have one candidate in the next presidential general election though Jimmy Akena said that he will stand for president in 2021.

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Jimmy Akena

Seven candidates nominated for Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) party presidency say that are not scared of the former party president’s son Jimmy Akena in this race. This follows the son of late Milton Obote forcing the party president Olara Otunu to ignore the party election guidelines and allow him, Jimmy Akena, to be nominated for the party president race a few days after the nomination exercise closed.

Addressing a news conference at parliament a group of seven UPC nominated candidates led by the Member of Parliament for Moroto County, Benson Obua Ogwal said that they are ready to take on Jimmy Akena and are confident one of them will defeat him. The group said that it was passable for Otunu to violate the party election guidelines to enable Jimmy Akena to contest because it will help the party members unify.

However, the UPC national chairman Edward Kakonge said that Jimmy Akena is not fit to be the party president because he is moving in the shadow of his late father instead of having his own identity.

UPC was once headed by Akena’s father Dr. Milton Obote and his mother Miria Kalule Obote; both stood for Ugandan presidency. Nominated candidates for UPC top post include Benson Obua Ogwal, Sam Wandeka, Joseph Bossa, Julius Ochan, David Pulkal, Edward Kakonge, Dan Okello and Jimmy Akena.

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Some of the leaders of the party, including MPs are bitter that the party bank account has over 500 million Uganda shillings lying idle but the party president, Olara Otunnu has never withdrawn it to fund party activities.

UPC President Olara Otunu

Otunnu in his capacity as the party president has to first sign on the cheque before the money given to UPC by the party members in the diaspora can be withdrawn. Some senior UPC members are bitter that Otunnu never used the money from the party’s bank account to give the two million shillings that was supposed to be given to parliamentary candidates who ran on UPC ticket during 2011 general elections.

It is said that some of the party members from the diaspora are now joining the anti Otunnu crusaders to oust him from UPC’s top post. Some of Otunnu’s major allies in the party have reportedly deserted him to an extent that Otunuu has started fearing for his life.

Sources in UPC say that Otunnu is now fearing to be poisoned reportedly by some members of the party who are against his leadership. Although Otunnu is the UPC president, some members on his cabinet reportedly no longer talk to him.

The former UN diplomat according to sources in the party currently carries his own food and tea. Some of the people who have reportedly remained on Otunnu’s side include his fellow Acholi Basil Lucima, Oyenna Odongo, Jacinta Ogwal, and Obua Ogwal.

It is said that some members of his cabinet met in his absentia to discuss party matters. To be continued later with more details expected.

By Doreen Nyanzi

The post 500 million splits UPC, Olara Ortunu fearing for his life first appeared on Uganda Multimedia News & Information.

Wegulo who is now a presidential advisor, was together with Chris Rwakasisi (Museveni advisor) the subject of discussion today by UPC men during their weekly media briefing at Uganda House.

Nuwagaba however, says their preliminary investigations so far indicate that Wegulo went with no property aprt from himself, adding that the investigations into this matter will continue.

He also accused the president of appointing former Obote minister Chris Rwakasisi as his advisor, saying it was wrong for Museveni to appoint what he called a criminal to such a position; adding that Rwakasisi will now teach the president also how to murder as he did during Obote II regime.

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In a letter written by the chairman, Free Uganda Now who also doubles as the president, UPC, Olara Otunu dated 2^nd/June/2011 they say that they are not ready to accept all the guidelines which were set by police for them.

Uganda Police Spokesperson Judith Nabaakoba

The coordinator Free Uganda Now, Mike Mabike assures the press that come what may, they are ready to host their demo and grand rally on Thursday this week.

Police through their spokes person Judith Nabakooba yesterday issued guidelines which should be followed by the opposition on that day to foster law and order which the opposition are rejecting.

DP president general, Norbert Mao is castigates police for not following what is well spelt in the constitution and follow orders from above which are geared at protecting the sitting government.

By Isaac Senabulya

The post Uganda opposition rejects police guidelines for demonstrations first appeared on Uganda Multimedia News & Information.

UPC President Olara Otunu

Speaking at a joint opposition press conference at the UPC headquarters, the UPC Party President Dr Olara Otunnu says that they know some names and their whereabouts but have no precise figure as work is still in progress.

Otunnu also says the issue is complicated with daily cases being recorded.

He has demanded an immediate release of all those detained adding that the charges against them should also be dropped.

Otunnu spoke in reference to all those arrested during the walk to work demos.

He has also announced that the main objective of the opposition is to effect democratic change in Government.

Ultimate Media

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UPC President Olara Otunu

Kampala Arch-Bishop Cyprian Kiizito Lwanga is quoted in the media blaming the ushers for failing to advice Otunu not to take part in the Holy Communion during the Easter mass at Lubaga Cathedral because he is a protestant.

Otunu says he is all inclusive Christian and doesn’t believe in denomination within the Christian church.

The UPC party president further says his name Olara means given through salvation and he believes he can benefit from any salvation practices of Christian churches.

The Catholic Church only allows Catholics who “are ready” to receive holy communion to participate in the Eucharist sacrament. Not every catholic can take part in holy communion though, as one must have finalised some basic teaching in the church and not be engaged in anything the church considers sinful. For example, a man and women who stay together and enjoy sexual relations when not married in the church are not allowed to receive Holy communion.

By Mugisa Isaac Mathias

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Nobert Mao DP Presidint

When Forum for Democratic Change president was remanded in funny circumstances as the Nabweru magistrate Justin Atukwasa claimed to be busy to hear his bail application, the opposition leader was also taken to Nakasongola prison.

The Public Relations Officer of Uganda Prisons, Frank Baine at first told journalists that the former presidential candidate was transferred “for his own security”.

“We explained this to him and took him far from here but we shall produce him later when the time to return to court is due,” Baine said. Mao who was arrested and charged with inciting violence will re-appear in Court on May 15^th when his case will be heard. He was imprisoned after declining to ask for bail.

Baine said DP activists had launched a “walk to freedom” protest that will see them forcefully “evacuate” Mao from Luzira prison and the  Prison officers were worried the confrontation between police and DP supporters might injure Mao and other prisoners at Luzira maximum prison.

It is for the same reason of fearing protesters attacking Luzira that Besigye was also remanded to Nakasongola prison which is some 60 kilometers away. Besigye is due in Court on April 27^th when his bail application will be heard.

The post Why Uganda opposition leaders Nobert Mao and Kizza Besigye are being imprisoned in Nakasongola first appeared on Uganda Multimedia News & Information.

During the protests, Forum for Democratic Change President Dr. Kizza Besigye was arrested and remanded to Nakasongola prison, while Uganda People’s Congress President Olara Otunu managed to walk to his office at Uganda house, escorted from Nakawa by Jinja DPC, Alphonse Mutabaazi.
Here are some videos from the days happenings

Otunu escorted to work

Besigye protests on day 4 and is jailed to nakasongola

Ken Lukyamuzi, once gain sneaks from police surives arrest

The post Videos form Uganda walk to work protests on Thursday day 4 first appeared on Uganda Multimedia News & Information.

President Museveni

Museveni who was speaking to Ugandans in a live video broadcast at Bukedde TV in Kampala on Thursday evening said Ugandans should not “worry about Besigye and walk to work protests” saying his government will stop the protesters and ensure “there is no disturbance” to public peace.

He dismissed claims that Besigye and other opposition leaders can overthrow his government through protests. Museveni said Besigye and other protesters have no capacity to remove his “ elected government” that has “massive support of Ugandans”.

“Leadership in Uganda can only be changed through elections. The elections ended and those people were defeated,” Museveni said.

He laughed off reports that Bsigye is planning his own swearing in ceremony as “president” on Thursday May 12^th when Museveni will be swearing in for another 5-year term in office.  Museveni urged Ugandans against joining politicians who he says are breaking the laws of Uganda.

Museveni did not comment on the arrest and imprionment of Besigye earlier on Thursday, just insisting that the govermnent has “medicine” for Besigye and the situation where he is granted bail by court only to “commit the same crime again”.

Museveni in the 2011 elections beat Besigye, his closest rival over the past three elections by a big margin this time, getting 68% of the vote, to Besigye’s 26%. Besigye and the other six presidential candidates however all dismissed the election as a sham that did not reflect the will of Ugandans.

Ultimate Media

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