The Uganda Peoples Congress (UPC) Parliamentary Caucus has strongly defended party president Jimmy Akena, rejecting reported attempts by the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) to replace him and insisting that only UPC members have the constitutional mandate to determine the party’s leadership.
Addressing journalists at Parliament on Monday, the caucus described the reported move as illegal, unconstitutional and an unwarranted interference in the internal affairs of the UPC.
The legislators also questioned the credibility of the individual reportedly being fronted to replace Akena, saying they had no knowledge of such a person as elected representatives of the party.
The press briefing was led by 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 other UPC legislators.
The caucus reaffirmed its confidence in Akena, describing him as the legitimate and duly elected president of the Uganda Peoples Congress.
The MPs stressed that leadership changes within the party can only be made through the UPC’s constitutional structures and democratic processes, warning against what they termed external attempts to influence or destabilise the party.
They further called on political actors to respect the independence of political parties and allow members to determine their own leadership without outside interference.
