Former Uganda Peoples Congress (UPC) vice president has rejected the election of Jimmy Akena as the party’s new president.
Joseph Bossa, who contested for the UPC presidency in the just-concluded party elections says Akena compelled party’s Electoral Commission to declare him winner.
In an interview with EagleOnline today, the outgoing party vice president said Akena and his supporters hijacked the EC officials, after group of about 50 Akena loyalists led by Oyam South MP Betty Amongi and Kole MP Fred Ebil reportedly stormed the tallying room and held the officials hostage.
“As officials (EC) were still processing, they were hijacked, forced to sign and declare Akena the winner,” said Bossa.
The former UPC vice president named Edward Seganyi, a one Mr. Wako, and Canon Nyote as some of the commissioners that were held hostage. He further said they (other presidential aspirants) had petitioned the party’s EC about the irregularities in the electoral process, adding, that “the election process was so badly done, it could not reflect the party values.”
On Monday, amid heavy police deployment, the party’s EC led by Edward Sseganyi declared Jimmy Akena winner having won in 67 districts.
However, Mr. Bossa said he and some of the other presidential contenders would consider going to court, if their grievances were not considered. “One step at a time, for now we are planning to hold meetings with EC,” he said.
Prof. Edward James Kakonge , another presidential contender said the party’s electoral body had not declared the winner and that he was waiting for the final word from the EC commissioners. “I have not seen any document declaring him (Akena) winner, I am waiting for the official results,” he said on phone.
Efforts to reach UPC ‘president-elect’ Akena, who is also the Lira Municipality MP for comment were futile, as when called on his personal number; he picked but switched off after introduction.
Jimmy Akena joined the UPC presidential race last week after consenting with UPC party officials but earlier his supporters led by wife Betty Amongi had ran to court seeking an injunction on the elections.
If confirmed UPC President, Akena will become the third member of founding party president Dr Apollo Milton Obote’s family to head the ‘Independence party’.
His father led the party in the 60s and 80s, while the mother became party leader in 2005 after the demise of her husband. Now, if Akena gets to steer the party, the UPC will follow closely what happened in India’s ‘Independence Party’, where the Gandhis have held sway over the Indian National Congress for close to a century.
Other candidates results; David Pulkol-12 districts, Joseph Bossa-11, David Nyote-4, Julius Ochen-9, Edward Kakonge-2, Benson Obua-1, Dan Okello-0, Sam Musamali Wandeka-0.
