Obote Foundation Declines to Fund Akena's Faction Members

Uganda People's Congress-party members allied to Jimmy Akena, the Lira Municipality Member of Parliament are up in arms against the Milton Obote Foundation-MOF for denying them funding for their campaigns. Akena and his group submitted a request of Shillings 2.8 billion to MOF for their campaigns.

However, MOF declined to release money to the group but went ahead and financed UPC candidates allied to The Democratic Alliance. Edward Segganyi, a member of the Akena UPC faction, says MOF released Shillings 3 million to UPC parliamentary candidates allied to TDA and Shillings 2 million to LC V chairperson candidates.

“On January 30 MOF distributed 3 million for those contesting as members of parliament under the Go Forward platform and Shillings 2 for contestants for the LC 5 chairperson seat. MOF adamantly refused to fund UPC flag bearers. This is against the terms of the consent agreement between the two factions and play a big role in the current confusion in the party,” Segganyi said.

He accuses MOF of interfering with the running of the party; adding that the Foundation had earlier funded the nomination of Go Forward candidates, while denying party candidates funds. Okello Lucima, the UPC spokesperson, says UPC party members contesting under the Go Forward banner are the legitimate party candidates.

“Based on the court ruling of December 11, candidates from the Akena faction cannot be the rightful candidates and I strongly advise those people to desist from speaking for the party,'' he said. Nelson Ofwono, the Chairman MOF has admitted receiving a request from Akena's group for funding.

He however, says they can only deal with the legally recognized leadership of the party. He also distanced the foundation from the political activities of the party, saying the two are separate entities. UPC is scheduled to hold a national delegates Conference on February 12 to elect new office bearers. However, Akena's group describes the conference as a sham.