The National Conference of the Uganda Peoples Congress convened this morning at Christ the King Conference Hall in Kampala, suffered a severe setback when some delegates protested the procedures.
The delegates wanted an amendment to the agenda presented by the Office of the Party President Miria Obote so that the discussion on amendment of the Constitution is deferred.
Some delegates argued that it was erroneous for the National Conference to discuss amendments to the Party Constitution without approval from the Central Executive Committee, CEC.
The Constitutional Amendments seek to among other things to give more powers to the Party President. The proposed amendments reduce the term of office of the Party President from seven to five years.
The proposed amendments also give the Party President powers to nominate for the election by the Delegates Conference, persons to hold national party offices.
The request to amend the agenda was over ruled by the Party Chairman Hajji Badru Wegulo, in response to an advice from Peter Walubiri, UPC Secretary General who argued that the delegates had ample time to incorporate their issues prior to the meeting.
The decision enraged the members among them Professor Patrick Rubayihayo, former Party Chairman, who insisted that as delegates they had the write to amend the Constitution.
Livingstone Okello Okello, the UPC party Vice President, and Wegulo attempted to calm the delegates amidst constant boos and heckles from the audience.
//Cue in: iExcuse me please#
Cue out: ..with the agenda.i//
The Party Chairman Badru Wegulo then ruled the delegates out of order. Dissatisfied with the Chairman's decision some delegates walked out in protest.
Darlington Sakwa, a veteran UPC supporter who was among those that walked out said he could not be party to dictatorship.
//Cue in: iThis Assembly is supposed#
Cue out: #part of a dictatorship.i//
Sources within the Party say a group of UPC supporters convened a meeting until late last night drawing strategies on how to among other things move a vote of no confidence against the current executive led by Miria Obote.
The group led by Dr. Edward Rurangaranga, met at the home of the late veteran UPC supporter Adonia Tiberondwa in Kampala. A source who attended the meeting says they were fronting a proposal to establish a National Task Force that is more representative as opposed to the current Executive.
Miria Obote, acknowledges that cliques have greatly compromised unity within the Party.
She however says that her task is now to ensure that her leadership re-kindles party loyalty in all its members.
