Akena prepares UPC for transition after court ruling

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The president of the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC), Jimmy Akena, has welcomed the recent court ruling issued by Justice Bernard Namanya of the Civil Division.

In a ruling dated July 18, Justice Namanya ruled that Akena is prohibited from contesting for the 2026–2031 presidency on the UPC party ticket, stating that he had already served his two full terms as stipulated in article 14(1) (3) of the UPC constitution.

Addressing the media on Saturday (July 19) at the party headquarters in Uganda House, Akena said he had called the press conference to offer a few clarifications and guide UPC supporters ahead of the 2026 general elections.

“Yesterday, there was a ruling by court on the presidency of Akena as president of UPC. I want to go on record that I welcome this ruling, and I will not challenge this ruling,” Akena said.

He explained that the ruling recognises him as the sitting president of UPC and noted that he still has about two or three weeks remaining in office.

“There has been a narrative that Akena is defying the Supreme Court ruling, but this ruling has made it clear that Akena is still president of UPC. What they are trying to remove is that Akena should not be a contestant for president 2025–2030. Akena has been targeted in this ruling, and I am ready to take this ruling,” he said, adding that he has served the party diligently.

“With my limited time left, UPC is going to have a special delegates' conference. This decision will be up to the delegates to decide on how the party will operate. The fact that the court has granted me the right to call this delegates' conference, I am using my powers as enshrined in the party constitution article 13.3 under subsection 3, giving seven days' notice,” Akena said.

He added that the special delegates’ conference will take place on July 26 at Kamdini, at the Northern Gateway Hotel, starting at 10:00am.

“All those who allege to be UPC presidents, you are welcome to meet the delegates because this is their party. As Akena, I want to thank the delegates for honouring me to lead this party, and the only thing that I can do is take back this leadership back to the delegates' conference,” Akena said.

He commended Justice Namanya for granting him the opportunity to bring these longstanding issues to a close.

“I was once taken to the courts of law for trespassing at Uganda House for the last 10 years and not being in UPC legitimately, but this is the time to end this today,” Akena said, adding that, “Those that think that they can disrupt an idea when its time has come, may God help you.”

Akena remarked that the 2026 elections would not be business as usual and expressed his desire to see the focus shift towards a policy-driven debate.