Kampala-Uganda Peoples’ Congress has called upon all its members to fully participate in the forthcoming 2016 general elections.
Speaking to journalists at the highly-guarded UPC offices at Uganda House, senior party official David Basalirwa said all party members need to participate in the elections so as to make the party strong.
“We want to see mainly UPC at the election centers,” Mr Basalirwa said adding: “we call upon all the youths and elders to take part in the 2016 elections.”
Sections of the opposition and some political activists have called for the boycott of the 2016, with claims that they cannot be free and fair under the current Electoral Commission, and subsequently called for its disbandment.
Meanwhile, asked about the heavy police presence at Uganda House, Mr. Basaliirwa first said: ‘the police was doing its duty of protecting citizens and their property’.
He however, later acknowledged that the police was called in to monitor the situation because “there was a bit of confusion.”
UPC is currently divided into two factions with some members supporting Mr Jimmy Akena, while some back Olara Otunnu. Last week Otunnu and Mr. Joseph Bossa were manhandled by youths allegedly loyal to Akena.
Meanwhile Michael Orach Osinde, a member of the party’s Conflict Resolution Committee says Otunnu is to blame for all the confusion in the party.
Mr. Osinde says the party Electoral Commission was mandated to release results in 48 hours, but was surprised when Otunnu set up a committee to review the election results.
“Cabinet did not approve it,” he said adding: “he (Ottunu) appointed members that supported Bossa, it would be unfair to Akena.”
