Kampala, 19 July 2025 – Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) President Jimmy James Michael Akena has welcomed the ruling of the High Court that barred him from contesting for another term as UPC party president and from standing as a presidential candidate in the 2026–2031 general elections.
Akena stated he will not appeal the court’s decision.Speaking to journalists at his office at Uganda House, Kampala, Akena said the court ruling, issued yesterday, does not contradict his recognition as the incumbent UPC party president—a status some opponents have challenged.
Akena emphasized that the UPC constitution grants the party president the authority to convene a delegate conference.
Citing this, he announced an abrupt delegate conference scheduled for 26th July 2025 at Northern Gateway in Kamdini, Oyam District. He said the conference would serve as the forum where he formally hands over the party leadership to other leaders.
“The party delegates are the rightful custodians of power in UPC. They are the ones to decide who leads,” Akena said.
“Those who claim to be the legitimate UPC leaders should come and prove their standing at the conference.”
On the matter of national politics, Akena made it clear that he remains determined to challenge the current government and still intends to run for President of Uganda in the upcoming elections.
He said the court ruling does not prevent him from doing so.> “Some people think I’ve been blocked from contesting in the national election.
That is far from the truth. I’m more committed than ever to expose the failures of this government since 1986,” he stated.
He also took a swipe at Electoral Commission Chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama, accusing him of making unilateral changes to election dates without first consulting party leaders.
Akena revealed that on April 2, 2025, he wrote a letter to Justice Byabakama, copying the Ministry of Justice, requesting a consultative meeting.
He says that letter has never been responded to.The current controversy stems from a court case filed by Denis Edim Enap, who argued that Akena’s term as UPC party president expired, citing the party constitution that limits leadership to two terms.
Akena served from 2015–2020 and was re-elected for a second term from 2020–2025. Enap claimed that Akena’s bid for a third term violated the party’s own constitution.
In response, Justice Benard Namanya, referencing Articles 40 and 42 of Chapter 6 of the UPC constitution, ruled that Akena’s candidacy for another term as party president was unconstitutional.
The ruling nullified his nomination as the UPC flagbearer for both the party leadership and the upcoming national presidential elections.
The court also directed the UPC not to recognize Akena as a contender for the 2026 party presidential race, effectively disqualifying him from internal leadership elections.
Despite this, Akena remains defiant and resolved to proceed with his national political ambitions—even if not under the UPC banner.
