KAMPALA — The Uganda Peoples Congress (UPC) Parliamentary Caucus has strongly defended party president Jimmy Akena against attempts by the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) to replace him, insisting that only UPC members have the authority to determine the party's leadership.
Addressing journalists at Parliament on Monday, the caucus described the reported move as illegal, unconstitutional and a direct interference in UPC's internal affairs.
"No pressure group has the authority to impose leadership on the Uganda Peoples Congress. As the UPC Parliamentary Caucus, we will not accept anyone imposed on us as party president," the legislators said.
The MPs also questioned the credibility of the person reportedly being fronted to replace Akena, saying they had no knowledge of such an individual as elected representatives of the party.
"It is shocking that the purported new leader of UPC is not known to us as UPC members of Parliament. This is a collapsed move and we reject it in totality," they said.
The press briefing was led by the UPC Parliamentary Caucus Whip, Dr. Eunice Otuko Apio, and attended by Kioga North MP Geoffrey Ocen, Kwania District Woman MP Kenny Auma, Maruzi County MP Peter Obong and Amolatar District Woman MP Janet Auma, among others.
The caucus reaffirmed its confidence in Akena, recognising him as the legitimate and incumbent president of UPC.
"We reaffirm and recognize Hon. Jimmy Akena as the legitimate and incumbent president of UPC. We acknowledge his steadfast leadership and commitment, including the guidance and support he provided to party structures and candidates during the last General Elections," the caucus said in a statement.
Dr. Apio also distanced the caucus from recent pronouncements by PLU officials regarding the leadership of UPC.
"The UPC Parliamentary Caucus rejects the pronouncements made by the officials of the Patriotic League of Uganda," she said.
She called on UPC members and supporters to remain calm, united and vigilant against what she described as attempts to destabilise the party ahead of future political contests.
