UPCountry Corner

From The MONITOR News, Thursday 24th November 2005

'Citizens must overcome fear to defeat Museveni'

THE biggest challenge for political parties in ousting President Yoweri Museveni during next year's elections is how to remove the entrenched fear among Ugandans and convince them about what will happen when Museveni leaves power.

Mr. John Godo, the newly elected Uganda People's Congress (UPC) party branch chairman for Arua district said most Ugandans have been frightened by two decades of repressive rule such that they are deeply worried and concerned that something ominous could follow Museveni's exit.

He was on Monday delivering his acceptance speech for the post.

"We are resoundingly aware that 20 years of the most barbaric dictatorship has brought untold pressure on parties and our citizens, " he said.

He however, implored multi-partyists not to despair but draw inspiration from the splendid works of the founding fathers of this country and eject the movement misrule.

Reading from a prepared text, Godo said the Movement system of government, just like Idi Amin's 8-year reign of terror, had eroded the democratic and economic gains of independence and reduced most rural Ugandans to paupers, who are easy to manipulate.

He urged party faithfuls to sacrifice whatever little resources they have for the service of the party for grassroots mobilisation.

"By helping UPC", said Godo, "you are supporting the free generation of an alternative vision for Uganda's development - a vision that should be available to allow competitive and multi-party democratic governance."

From MONITOR NEWS Thursday 24th November 2005

UPC lines up candidates

UPC party leaders in Lira have assembled a line up of aspirants expected to contest for various positions for the party in the forthcoming general elections.

This was during the party elections held on Monday at Lira Municipality Council Hall.

The recently elected constituency delegate members who constituted the Electoral College participated in the election that was observed by several hundreds of supporters.

The same meeting also elected the UPC district executive committee members who are changed with steering the party activities at the ! district level.

Lira district LC5 Vice chairperson Rebecca Otengo was elected candidate for the district Woman MP.

She will take on incumbent Margaret Ateng also a UPC member should she decide to contest again.

While LC 5 Chairman, Franco Ojur was elected to contest another term of office.

Others were MP for Erute North Charles Angiro and George Angulo who were elected to represent the party at the Central executive committee.

Meanwhile, Mr Anthony Acuma was elected chairman UPC district executive committee, Mr Esau Otim general secretary, Mr David Owera youth representative and Ms Stella Okonye as women representative.