UPC president Olara Otunnu, accompanied by his secretary general Joseph Bossa, walked out of the closed-door meeting at about 6:30pm, when members rejected his proposal that the group boycott the general election if the Electoral Commission is not disbanded.
The proposal was rejected by the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) president, Kizza Besigye, who is the coalition chairman, Ken Lukyamuzi of the Conservative Party, Michael Mabikke of the Social Democratic Party and Hussein Kyanjo of the Justice Forum. Members argued that it was too early to take such a decision.
"Our position is not debatable and we cannot change anything. We have left the issue to them to discuss and come up with their position," said Bossa, shortly after walking out. "Unless the issue is addressed, it would be a waste of time for the opposition to prepare for the elections," said Bossa.
Otunnu, however, claimed that he left the meeting because he had a radio talk-show to attend. Shortly after, Lukyamuzi and other members also left claiming they were going to organise a rally or a radio talk-show. The walk-out prompted Besigye to call off the meeting that had started at 3:30pm. This was the third meeting to end in a row between the parties.
While UPC argues that the opposition cannot claim a free and fair election when current chairman Badru Kiggundu and his commissioners are still in charge, other members think otherwise.
"We can discuss other issues but we can never boycott. We can fight the EC as we prepare for the exercise. We think a change in the Electoral Commission is a possibility even towards elections," Besigye told journalists gathered at the coalition's headquarters on Katonga Road in Nakasero, Kampala.
"We are unhappy because of some people delaying our preparations for the presidency. It requires a lot of time to promote your candidate and other issues," said Besigye.
He said they would continue to talk with UPC in case they are still interested in the cooperation. The IPC is a loose coalition of five opposition political parties that came together two years ago. The aim is to field in a single candidate against President Yoweri Museveni of the ruling NRM party should he stand. NRM holds its delegates conference which will decide the candidate in September.
Cracks appeared in the coalition weeks ago when DP refused to join. UPC accuses FDC of hijacking the process, dishonesty and lack of transparency. The ongoing meeting was kicked off by UPC's failure to show up for nominations at Kololo ground last Tuesday.