Two Uganda People’s Congress—UPC members have petitioned High Court in Kampala seeking an interim order blocking party president Olara Otunnu from dismissing top executive officials.
Benon Muhanguzi and Lazarus Angoru also want an order directing Otunnu to act within the spirit of the amended party constitution of 2008.
Otunnu on Tuesday reshuffled his cabinet removing party chairman Major Edward Rurangaranga and publicists, Moses Nuwagaba and Robert Kanusu. Rurangaranga was replaced by Professor Edward Kakonge.
Otunnu also appointed Otuke County MP Rev. Jacinto Ogwal as the new Secretary General replacing John Odit, who was sacked on December 12th together with David Pulkol, the party secretary for policy and national mobilisation.
Rurangaranga has been critical of Otunnu’s move to suspend Odit Pulkol, describing it as illegal and against the party constitution.
Quoting the party constitution, Rurangaranga on Monday said that Otunnu breached the provisions of Article 26 of the new constitution which states that when the constitution comes into force, all persons holding offices under the previous constitution shall continue to hold office until new elections are held under it.
Otunnu accused Odit and Pulkol of allegedly working against him. On Tuesday, he told a press conference that he could not have parallel structures, programmes and appointments within UPC by people who have no powers to act on behalf of the party.
Court is yet to set a date for hearing the petition.
