KAMPALA.
Uganda People’s Congress (UPC)’s delegates have gone ahead to convene in total disregard of a court ruling .
During a hybrid conference, held both physically in Nalya-Kira, Wakiso District and virtually, delegates numbering 800 extended the term of party president Mr Jimmy James Akena during an Extra-Ordinary Delegates Conference .
This happened after suspending Articles 25.2 and 25.3 of the UPC Constitution .This if not challenged in court , will enable Akena to stand on the UPC ticket in next year’s presidential lections.
The suspended articles require a three-month notice for any constitutional amendments initiated by a party member and a one-month notice for those initiated by the president.
In a press statement momently after the conference , Mr Akena said the conference amended the 2008 UPC Constitution to align it with Article 105(1) and (2) of Uganda’s national Constitution, which governs presidential term limits.
“The Extra-Ordinary Delegates Conference extended the term of office of the UPC President Hon. Akena James Michael Jimmy for twelve (12) months effective today, 26th July, 2025 to enable him and his Party Cabinet organise and oversee the conduct of party structure and national elections,” the statement reads in part.
Mr Akena ,the son of UPC founder and former Uganda President Milton Obote added that UPC remains a committed member of the Inter-Party Organisation for Dialogue (IPOD), stating, “It shall always handle any matters with sister political parties as provided for under the Political Parties and Organisations Act Cap.178.”
The conference proceeded barely a day after the High Court in Kampala halted it pending a ruling on the legality of Akena’s presidency. Justice Joyce Kavuma issued the injunction on July 25 following an application by UPC stalwart Joseph Pinyek Ochieno, who argued that the conference would prejudice an ongoing leadership dispute.
The party is currently locked in a leadership wrangle involving Mr Akena, Mr Dennis Adim Enap, and Mr Peter Mukidi Walubiri, each claiming to be the rightful president of UPC.
A recent High Court decision blocked Akena’s bid for a third term. Enap, who had filed the case, was later disqualified by the party’s Electoral Commission chairperson Mahmoud Kazimbiraine for allegedly violating the party’s electoral roadmap and referring to himself as “Nominated Unopposed Party President.”
Meanwhile, Mr Walubiri petitioned the Electoral Commission, urging it not to recognise Akena or Enap and maintaining that he is the party’s legitimate leader.
Amidst the turmoil, Akena dismissed three members of the UPC Electoral Commission, including Vice Chairperson Jack Kabusu and Commissioners Emmanuel Were and Aisha Naome Natukunda, after they acknowledged Enap as president in correspondence with the EC.
Justice Kavuma had advised the party to delay the conference until the main application is heard on July 29. However, Akena moved forward with the event.
“I am indebted to the about 800 delegates who attended both physically and virtually the Extra-Ordinary Delegates Conference despite all the challenges we faced in concluding this important event,” Akena said.
It remains to be seen how court will resolve this long standing leadership in UPC .