Kampala-Uganda Peoples’ Congress has finally allowed Lira Municipality Member of Parliament, Jimmy Akena to contest for party presidency after he missed out on the deadline for registration following the wrangle with party leadership.
Addressing journalists at the party headquarters, Mr.Olara Otunnu the party president revealed that Akena would be contesting for the big seat.
“Following broad consultations, it has been decided, as an exceptional measure, to avail Jimmy Akena the nomination papers,” he said.
Mr Akena, the son of the former president Milton Obote, had said he would not participate in the party elections on grounds that Mr Otunnu’s leadership had no legitimacy and capacity to organise free and fair internal elections.
But Mr.Ottunu pointed out that the need to bend the party rules, for the sake of promoting unity and reconciliation within the party and fairness, are the two reasons Mr.Otunnu gave for the decision taken.
Mr Akena expressed his gratitude to the party, “I am happy for the party’s decision and the fact that I am going to have to present my aspirations, contentions and ideas directly to the party members.” He said.
Mr. Akena had earlier written to the party president to give him an exception, outside the nomination deadline to pick nomination papers in order to present his candidature.
“Akena knows very well that nobody placed any barrier in his path to nomination, it was his own decision,” said Otunnu.
The party also presented seven other candidates to run for presidency .They include Joseph Bbosa,Sam Wandera, Julius Ocheng, Prof. Edward Kakonge,Mr.Eddy Pulkol,Benson Ogwal and Dan Okello.These will go for district conferences around the country.
