The Uganda People’s Congress is urging its supporters to embrace change to propel the party.
Joseph Bossa, the Uganda People’s Congress Vice President has described 2011 as a rough patch for the party on three grounds saying they faced resistance to change, personal ambitions and acts of UPC adversaries.
Bossa notes that some officials had failed to respect the working systems and procedures set up by the party President Olara Otunnu to effectively run the party.
He reveals that most of the controversies stemmed from the 104 million shillings given to the party by the donor group deepening democracy Programme. He urged party members to embrace change so as to push the party to another level.
Bossa, without citing names, said they were too polite and some officials wanted to use the money without making a clear budget that was to be approved by the Cabinet.
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On Monday the party called a meeting of UPC district chairpersons, elders’ council and the cabinet in which the following resolutions were made.
The members acknowledged and accepted the mandate of the party President to appoint and replace members of the cabinet and other leaders.
They resolved that an ordinary meeting of the National Council can only be convened by the National chairman on the advice of the President. An extra ordinary meeting of the National council can only be convened by the President in consultation with the National chairman.
In December last year, Otunnu fired Retired Maj. Edward Rurangaranga replacing him with Prof. Edward Kakonge as national chairman.
The meeting therefore resolved that any attempt to convene a national council outside the above provisions is unconstitutional. They also resolved that the reported solicitation of signatures by fired officials Maj. Rurangaranga, David Pulkol, John Odit, Robert Kanusu, and Moses Nuwagaba around the country is unconstitutional.
Maj. Rurangaranga and his colleagues have organized a national council meeting slated for this Thursday at Lugogo.
Nuwagaba says they are still members of the party and the Thursday meeting will forge a way forward to replace Otunnu. The former UPC members have been soliciting for signatures and holding regional meetings to oust Otunnu.
Bossa says he is confident Otunnu can still lead the party but his image has been tarnished by what he called opportunistic and ambitious officials. He adds that they are working on appointing a dedicated communications team to get positive messages of the party and its president to the public.
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He adds that by mid 2012, the party shall have programmes for youth and women.
