Walubiri appoints team to handle election of UPC party president

“I concur with the judgement and I agree that the appeal be dismissed on the terms she has proposed in her reasoned judgement and I have nothing useful to add,” Hon. Justice Christopher Madrama, JA on Hon. Justice Irene Mulyagonja’s lead judgment.

Kampala—10 October 2020: Uganda Peoples Congress (UPC) party acting president Peter Mukidi Walubiri has appointed a team of five people to manage the processes leading to the election of the new party president.

Mr Walubiri who leads another faction of UPC party made the appointment on 2 October 2020.

According to Hajji Hamza Sewankambo, who has been appointed the Electoral Commission chair, they have started the work as mandated in the Instrument of Appointment by the party president.

“Its major task is to prepare for the election of the party president. We are glad to inform members that the process for the nomination of various party leaders at local council and parliamentary has been concluded successfully,” Hmaza said in a press statement.

He added: “The Commission would like to take this opportunity to invite eligible and competent members of the party to express interest in the office of the party president.”

On 7 September 2020, the Court of Appeal Justices led by Hon Justice Irene Mulyagonja ruled that the election of James Michael Akena as UPC party president was null and void.

The other two Justices of the Court of Appeal were contented with the lead judgement made by Justice Irene Mulyagonja.

In her ruling, Irene Mulyagonja averred: “In conclusion, this appeal is dismissed with orders that: (a) The members of Uganda Peoples Congress conduct nominations and elect a president in conformity with the provisions of the Constitution of the Uganda Peoples Congress. (b) Each party to bear its costs.”

On her part, Justice Elizabeth Musoke averred that: “I have had the advantage of reading in draft the lead judgement in this matter prepared by my learned sister Hon. Justice Irene Mulyagonja, JA. I agree with it, with nothing useful to add.”

Hon. Justice Madrama also stated: “I have had the benefit of reading in draft the judgement of my learned sister Hon. Justice Irene Mulayagonja, JA. I concur with the judgement and I agree that the appeal be dismissed on the terms she has proposed in her reasoned judgement and I have nothing useful to add.”

Following the Court ruling month ago, Mr Walubiri, who’s also a renowned City Lawyer, has appointed the following persons to head the party’s electoral commission.

Hajji Hamza Ssewankambo—EC Chair

Hon. John Livingstone Okello Okello—Member

Rev. Onesmus—Member

Mr Kamya Albert—Member

Counsel Emma Opio—Member/ Secretary

The EC chair “further appeals for support from party membership and other relevant government agencies as it executes its mandates”.

Akena group adamant

Addressing the media at Uganda House days after the Court ruling, James Akena said the matter (UPC woes) begun even before he assumed office where late Joseph Bossa actually sued his president, Olara Otunu, who in turn did not enter any defense on behalf of the party.

“It was only after the Consultative Meeting of 1^st July 2015 where the UPC Delegates endorsed me as their party President that I put in a defense….” Akena said, then.