You are running Unity 2D, not Unity. You can easily spot the difference when looking at the Ubuntu button in the launcher: if it looks the same as the other launcher items, then you are using Unity 2D. If it's a bit rounded, then you are using Unity (see image for comparison http://i.stack.imgur.com/nlCKn.png).
In Unity 2D you need to click and hold an icon before you can drag in within the launcher bar. ** Changed in: unity (Ubuntu) Status: Incomplete => Invalid -- You received this bug notification because you are a member of Ubuntu Bugs, which is subscribed to Ubuntu. https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/859949 Title: unity can't change icons position To manage notifications about this bug go to: https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/unity/+bug/859949/+subscriptions -- ubuntu-bugs mailing list ubuntu-bugs@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-bugs