UPC Wants May 25th OAU Day Declared Public Holiday

The Uganda Peoples Congress has appealed to the Government to declare May 25, the day Organization of African Union (OAU) was founded, a public holiday.

The party National Chairman, Lawrence E. Okae said in a statement released on Monday noted that UPC proudly joined the rest of African countries in celebrating the day.

“The Uganda Peoples Congress joins the rest of Africa today in commemorating Africa Day 25th May, as a party in Government when the Organization of African Unity (OAU) was founded, which later morphed to African Union,” said the statement.

Adding: “UPC therefore appeals to Government to make this day a public holiday and urges Africa to recognize that our founding fathers held a vision for African Unity as pointed out by Dr. A Milton Obote in 1963.

Obote in his speech during the formation of OAU in Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa rooted for deeper cooperation by the independent African states.

‘’I hold the view that however nice one may feel as complete master in one’s own house, the time has come, indeed almost overdue, for African Independent States to surrender some of their sovereignty in favour of an African Central Legislature and Executive body with specific powers over those subjects where divided control and action would be undesirable,” said Obote.

He appealed for the establishment of African Common Market, Economic Planning on a continent-wide base, collective Defence, a Common Foreign Policy, a common Development, and a common Monetary Zone.

UPC noted that Africa is still pulverized by mainly human induced catastrophes forcing many Africans to look opportunities in other continents.

“Today Africa is facing complex and endemic challenges. We are struggling to escape to Europe and North America for day today survival, desperately to do any odd job on offer. Civil wars are still active in some countries like Nigeria, Libya, Central Africa Republic, DRC, these destabilize Africa and cause untold suffering,” said the statement.

It stressed that famine, hunger and diseases are still rampant in Africa and the continent is least prepared to handle the COVID global pandemic.

“We need to come together as a continent and solve all these intricate and complex challenges. This is clearly stated by our founding father; Dr. A.M Obote,” added the statement.

The party welcomed Government measures and response towards COVID-19 Pandemic such as suspension of Schools/University, ban of public gatherings, worship places, public, private transport and closure of non-essential businesses and others.