Lango Web

Mama Miria Obote

The Uganda Peoples Congress (UPC) is once again hit by a crisis due to internal strive as Mama Miria Obote, wife of former President of Uganda Milton Obote, expresses her intention to contest for a parliamentary seat in Apac in 2011.

Faced with the prospect of being voted out of office of UPC party president, the ageing former first lady indicated yesterday that she would leave no chance to the younger generation but continue riding on her late husband’s popularity by contesting for parliament in Lango either as a women’s representative for Apac or as member of Parliament for Mariuzi.  

This has reportedly not gone down well with a section of UPC supporters in Lango especially due to an alleged deal between the former first lady, her son Jimmy Akena MP and Betty Amongi MP, believed to be Akena’s girlfriend. According to the said deal, Betty Amongi, current Women MP for Apac will give way to Mama Miria and instead contest against current MP for Oyam South Isha Otto.

The youthful MP for Oyam South is said to be furious with the former first family for plotting against him. The plot was reportedly hatched in Uganda House by top UPC officials to curb Otto’s increasing popularity emanating from his drive for a more outward looking instead of Obote-centric UPC.

Otto enjoys good support from the wider UPC membership including former Congress party members such as Beatrice Lagada, Ben Wacha and others. Otto is seen as head of an anti-Miria faction.

The other faction which is pro-Miria/Akena Obote includes Betty Amongi, an independent MP who recently signed a memorandum of understanding with UPC amid squabbles in Aber Sub County where she wanted to hold a political rally last week.

About 5000 UPC members have reportedly decided to quit UPC and join rival NRM and FDC in protest of the way the former first family is conducting the affairs of the party.

Heads are now rolling in Uganda House over the confusion among UPC members in Lango. Concerned officials are seeking urgent meeting with Mama Miria in an attempt to arrest the situation.