After numerous attempts to force UPC Party President Olara Otunnu to call a delegates’ conference, party members opposed to his leadership say they have enough money to facilitate the event.
Former UPC national chairman, Maj. Edward Rurangaranga says the anti Otunnu group has enough money needed to call a delegates’ conference. Last week, the group led by Oyam North MP Ayena Odong stormed the party headquarters yet again to demand that Otunnu call a delegates’ conference.
The party spokesperson David Nyote asked the group to raise money for the event because the party is currently struggling financially.
Among those pushing for the delegates’ conference are former party presidential candidates Jimmy Akena Obote, Yona Kanyomozi, Dr. David Dickson Opul, Fred Luwero and Sospater Akwenyu.
Nyote says they have nothing to hide or fear in calling the conference. He also maintains that Rurangaranga is not the current national chairman thus rendering his actions to call the conference illegal.
Article 13 of the party constitution empowers the party President to call the delegates’ conference by giving a one month’s notice in writing. He can also call an extra ordinary delegates conference as he deems necessary by giving seven days notice of such a meeting.
Without putting a figure to it this morning, Rurangaranga, who was denied access to the party headquarters by police hired by the Otunnu faction to maintain security, said they are ready to finance the event.
The group is demanding that the delegates’ conference be held on May27.
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However, Otunnu’s Special envoy, Okello Lucima, says consultations are still ongoing regarding the conference. Without detail, he states that money is not the only obstacle to calling the meeting and urges the anti Otunnu group to raise their queries at their party branches.
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Lucima, who was defensive of the party leader, also clarified that there shall not be any delegates’ conference set for the 27th of this month as called by Rurangaranga.
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In February, the party treasurer Peter Walubiri stated that the party does not have the sixty million shillings needed to hold the conference.
The anti Otunnu group says the delegates’ conference will help decide Otunnu’s fate as party leader and resolve the leadership crisis which has dragged on for long.
