By Our Staff Writer- 16^th-22^nd Aug 2010

Dr. Olara Otunnu

London: UPC party president Dr. Olara Otunnu has, perhaps for the very first time, set out a detailed 10 point agenda for what he called the “radical renewal” of our motherland.

In a captivating speech on Saturday 14^th August, the UPC president’s eloquence held an audience of approximately 500-600 Ugandans hostage for over 2hrs.  The Keyworth Centre auditorium at South Bank University in London was packed beyond its normal capacity with approximately 50-100 people left standing without seats.  Otunnu said he was setting out his “radical renewal” agenda because “…Uganda is facing a grave national crisis”. Top on the list of his radical renewal agenda is the creation of what he called “a social movement” that will propel change forward.

With his hands raised in the air, Dr. Otunnu said “…with these bare hands, Ugandans are capable of prevailing over Museveni’s regime” without the need for a single gun or bullet.  The second point on Otunnu’s 10 point agenda was what he called “…the struggle for the soul of our land”.

The other issues on the 10 point agenda included “political accountability” for past crimes, the need for “national cohesion”, the need to address the “Uganda Question” [not the “Buganda Question” according to Otunnu], the need to redefine “the role of the State”, the need to “wage war against corruption”, the need for “free and fair elections”, the need to build “State institutions”, and the “re-establishment of the rule of law” in Uganda.

Dr. Otunnu also said the 2011 general elections will be a defining moment in Uganda’s history.  He said Ugandans will not accept anything less than totally free and fair elections.  “…We must draw a line in the sand and say we are not moving from here.  Ugandans must say no and mean no to the Museveni-Kiggundu Electoral Commission because it is part and parcel of Museveni’s rigging machine”; Otunnu said.

The UPC president, speaking on behalf of the IPC, also sent a clear warning to the international community.  “If you can do no good, do no harm.  You have lost your way with regard to Uganda.  You have applied double standards.  Stop the exceptionalism applied to Museveni and be true to your fundamental democratic values.  Uganda is sitting on a powder cake.  Don’t say we never warned you”; Otunnu charged.  Read further and better particulars of “Otunnu’s Radical Renewal Agenda” under the “National” news section.