- By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
NATIONAL
Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) President, Hon. Jimmy Akena has called upon party leadership to be on par with the former party leaders to serve interests of Ugandans
Akena was speaking to journalists at the party’s 63rd Anniversary celebrated at Uganda House – Kampala on Wednesday 15th March, 2023.
“As we commemorate and honour the great contribution of the Uganda Peoples Congress let us organize and prepare to emulate our forebearers in both word and deed, as we organize the Party to play its role in serving the interests of the people of Uganda,” he urged
UPC is a political party in Uganda founded in 1960 by Dr. Apollo Milton Obote (RIP) who led the country to independence and later ruled the country for two presidential terms under the party’s banner. The party came into existence as a result of the merger between the country’s first political party, Uganda National Congress (founded in 1952 by Ignitius Kangave Musaazi) and the Uganda People’s Union (under W. W. Rwetsiba) giving birth to UPC on 9th March, 1960.
On 9th March 2023, Uganda Peoples Congress (UPC) marked her 63rd birthday.
During the celebration ceremony, Akena ridiculed publicly the poor social service delivery under the ruling NRM government which has failed UPC fundamental realizations on providing better services for Uganda.
According to Akena, the underfunding of some services such as education has created social inequalities despite efforts by the government to introduce universal education at primary and secondary levels.
“…due to underfunding by Government; the objective of availing quality education to everyone, everywhere in Uganda cannot be realized and therefore parents with financial muscle have opted for private schools in the quest for better education services for their children while poorer families are at the mercy of God!” Akena said
Into the bargain, he is also contemptuous of the limbing government healthcare facilities faced with drug shortages, understaffing and meagre payments. He demands that government provides comprehensive and lasting solution for quality social service delivery to Ugandans.
As the way of reviving the party glory, Akena disclosed UPC plans to hold National Council at a date he said will be communicated at a later time seeking to debate among other underlying issues youth unemployment, food security, labour export and Uganda’s comparative advantage in agriculture in line with the UPC Constitutional provision Art. 2.2.5.
Article 2.2.5 of the UPC constitution provides that; “which states; “To plan Uganda’s economic development is such a way that the public sector, private sector, workers, peasants and farmers, through the cooperative movement, commerce and industry will effectively contribute to increased production and wealth thus raising people’s welfare and the standard of living in the country”.
In addition, the National Council will also receive, consider and adopt several Policy Documents such as the; Strategic Plan, Gender Policy, Women League Charter, Youth League Charter, Sexual Harassment Policy, Rules and Procedure of the Disciplinary Committee among others.
