High Court Cancels Akena’s UPC Presidency, Bars Him from 2026 Election Bid

‎KAMPALA, UGANDA | July 18, 2025 — The High Court in Kampala has ruled to cancel the registration of Jimmy James Michael Akena as the President of the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC), effectively blocking his bid to contest in the upcoming 2026 general elections.
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‎In a ruling signed by Justice Benard Namanya, the court declared that Akena’s continued leadership of the party beyond two terms violates the UPC constitution. The court was responding to a petition filed by Denis Edim Enap, a concerned party member, who challenged Akena’s eligibility.
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‎According to Enap, Akena served two complete terms — from 2015 to 2020 and 2020 to 2025 — which is the constitutional limit for the position of party president under UPC rules. Despite this, Akena’s name had again been fronted for the 2026–2031 term, prompting the legal challenge.
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‎In his ruling, Justice Namanya cited Articles 40 and 42 of Chapter 6 of the UPC constitution, affirming that Akena’s continued leadership would constitute a clear violation of the party’s guiding laws.
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‎“The bid by Jimmy James Michael Akena to run for a third term as UPC party president is unconstitutional and therefore null and void,” Namanya stated in the court order.
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‎The High Court also nullified the UPC’s internal declaration naming Akena as the party’s flagbearer for the 2026 presidential election, ruling that such a move contradicts party regulations.
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‎This judgment comes at a time when Akena has been actively preparing to challenge President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni in the upcoming general election. The ruling presents a significant setback to both his political ambitions and the UPC’s election strategy.
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‎Notably, this is not the first time Akena’s leadership has faced legal scrutiny. In 2015, Justice Yasin Nyanzi ordered him to vacate office — a directive Akena resisted after obtaining a Stay of Execution from the Court of Appeal.
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‎Efforts to reach Sharon Arac Oyat, UPC’s spokesperson, for comment were unsuccessful by the time of publishing this report.
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