Otunnu rejecting party mediations, says Akena
Mr Jimmy Akena (front) and Mr Olara Otunnu ( background).
Kampala.
The UPC faction led by Lira Municipality MP-elect Jimmy Akena has accused Mr Olara Otunnu, who leads another faction of UPC of rejecting a party mediation process that seeks to mitigate the current divisions bedeviling one of Uganda’s oldest political parties.
Addressing journalists in Kampala on Wednesday Mr Lawrence Okae, the national chairman of Mr Akena-led faction said after withdrawing the case they expected Mr Otunnu to participate in the mediations but he is not showing interest.
“He (Mr Akena) has always extended an olive branch to party members that have failed to come to terms with the decision of those who voted on May 30, 2015, but they seem to be uninterested,” Mr Okae said, adding: “.... the current administration feels that court-bound decision should not be a pre- requisite for dealing with political disputes.”
In December last year Mr Akena’s faction expressed willingness to reconcile with the Otunnu – led function but no process has been initiated in that regard.
Mr Joseph Bossa, the Otunnu-led faction vice president in an interview last month denied claims that there had been a process instituted to talk reconciliation.
The two factions are battling for legitimacy and have been advised to settle their differences out of court.
At the same meeting Mr Edward Ssegwanyi, the Akena-led faction secretary general said they had resolved to seek reconciliation, saying Mr Akena was willing to engage in meaningful dialogue to reconcile party members.
