Kampala — The Uganda People's Congress (UPC) delegates conference opened on Friday after a last-minute secret agreement dropped elections of new officials off the agenda.

Insiders say those who had plotted to oust incumbent party president Miria Obote were persuaded to abandon the plan as she would be prevailed upon to retire next year.

The conference was, therefore, used to change the constitution to pave way for elections in 2009. According to the old constitution, a party leader and his/her executive had a seven-year term. Going by this, Miria's term would expire in 2012.

It is emerging that a compromise between anti and pro-Miria factions resulted into a consensus on constitutional changes as an option to an outright coup. If the rumour is to be believed, then she will now chair the elders' forum, a new organ to be created to give guidance to the party leadership.

Many at the party headquarters are said to have realised the need to have young and vigilant members take the UPC leadership.

Who then will succeed Miria? Rumour has it that the choice is between three young men - one lives in Canada, another in the UK and the third is an MP.