UPC confirms participation in Kawempe North by-elections

5 February 2025, 11:03 pm

By Ronald Ssemagonja

The Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) has confirmed its full participation in the forthcoming Kawempe North by-election, scheduled to take place in March this year.

While addressing the media at the party headquarters in Kampala, the party’s Head of Communications, Mr Muzeyi Faizo, stated their commitment to the process. “We have sent our teams on the ground to identify those interested in contesting. After completing the selection process, we shall announce our candidate to the nation if we find one. We follow party structures—we do not simply handpick candidates,” he said.

The party has also officially commenced the registration of members across the country, including those interested in joining.

*”The Uganda People’s Congress would like to inform all members and the general public that last Saturday, the party officially launched the UPC National Registration Exercise for members from the grassroots across the country. The party president, Hon. Jimmy Akena, encouraged party members to take this exercise seriously and participate actively.

We urge all members to fully engage in this process and update their registration. Party officials conducting this exercise are expected to remain neutral and perform their duties diligently,”* Muzeyi said.

He further encouraged all members and eligible voters who have not yet confirmed their details or registered in the ongoing National Voters’ Register update by the Independent Electoral Commission to do so. “This is a crucial activity that will ensure your voice counts in the 2025/26 general elections,” he added.

Meanwhile, the party has welcomed the Supreme Court ruling and urged the executive to respect it. “The Supreme Court has upheld its independence by ruling on the trial of civilians in military courts. This decision gives judicial hope to Ugandans, and this hope should not be undermined by overzealous individuals. The party calls upon the government to immediately release all those illegally detained, including Dr Kiiza Besigye and Obed Lutale,” Muzeyi stated.

On 31st January 2025, the Supreme Court of Uganda ruled that civilians should not be tried in the General Court Martial. It further directed that all cases of civilians previously tried in the General Court Martial be transferred to civil courts.