{UAH} AKENA TACTFULLY SWORN-IN AS UPC PRESIDENT

 AKENA TACTFULLY SWORN-IN AS UPC PRESIDENT
By: Nixon Segawa
Jul 1,2015

Opposition Uganda Peoples' Congress (UPC) delegates have resolved to approve party president-elect, Hon. Jimmy Michael Akena during a consultative meeting held at UMA Show Grounds in Lugogo, Kampala on Wednesday.

The decision was reached after a delegate moved a motion to turn the meeting into a Delegates' Conference (DC) which was seconded by almost all the 511 delegates.

The agenda was changed to approving Akena as the party president and discussing the future of UPC as well as strategies of mobilising funds.

A total of 479 delegates voted for Akena, the son of UPC founding father, Dr Milton Obote, to be approved as the party president.

He was subsequently sworn-in and handed instruments of power to begin exercising full authority as the party president.

The latest development is a big blow to UPC President Olara Otunnu who had on several occasions tried to block Akena's presidency.

Otunnu had alleged that Akena's election was marred by incredible malpractices thus constituting a commission of inquiry.

Chimp Corp Nixon Segawa reports that the move is seen by many as a political masterstroke against Otunnu who had directed that Akena appears before the commission, which intended to give its verdict on July 10 – the very day the party planned to hold its official Delegates' Conference.

With Akena in office as party president, it is unlikely that the commission of inquiry will take place.

UPC member, Andrew Omara said, "There is no law in our books that has been broken by today's decision."

He added: "The delegates are empowered under Articles 13. 2 (5) and 13. 2 (4) of the party constitution to approve the party leader. It is under those articles that they have decided to endorse Akena for presidency and thereafter handed him all instruments of power," Omora said.

Otunnu was not readily available for comment on the latest development.