Benson Obua Ogwal, former Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) legislator in the 9th Parliament has left the party and will contest for East Africa Legislative Assembly (EALA) on independent ticket.
Benson who represented Moroto County- Alebtong district, in Northern Uganda was trounced by Julius Odwe in last year’s election.
He shot to limelight in 2012 as a man poised to take over party leadership after leading a force to overthrow Ambassor Olara Otunnu..
Benson and group accused Otunnu of suffocating the party organs when he declined to call a delegates conference to determine his fate as party leader.
The soft spoken politician together with other legislators like Chrispus Ayena, Betty Among, Fred Ebil and others thus hatched a plan to remove Otunnu from Uganda House.
These MPs independently solicited for signatures across the country to enable them summon the highest decision making party organ to oust Otunnu. And indeed the delegates sat at Lugogo indoor stadium and unanimously denounced the man from Muchwini.
The media then started speculating as to whether Benson would be the man to replace Otunnu.
From that time (2015) Benson kept low key until 2015 when he announced his bid to contest for party presidency. He joined a bandwagon of other 7 UPC officials with whom Jimmy Akena, son to UPC founding father was elected new president amid controversial polls.
For one to win UPC presidency you need to have 67 votes with each vote representing a district and Benson got only one vote from Moyo.
Not even his district Alebtong weighed in on his bid.
Acrimony
After that humiliation, TrumpetNews understands that Benson disclosed to his supporters in UPC that he would quit because the elections were not free and fair. “He is among the officials who contested Akena’s victory,” an insider said.
Last year in February after losing Parliamentary election to Odwe of NRM, Benson said it was time to leave the party since it didn’t offer him support while canvassing for votes.
“And now he vowed to stand for a slot in the regional parliament in the upcoming election as independent accusing Akena Administration of ring fencing EALA position to Hon Chris Opoka,” an insider added.
However, this website has established that Benson should be ready to brace for a tough challenge as incumbent lawmaker Susan Nakawuki is the favourite.
Benson has not officially announced that he quit but the party constitution unequivocally bars members from standing as independent.
This website tried to contact Benson for a comment but his known MTN number was unavailable.