UPC’s Jimmy Akena accepts court ruling, calls for delegates conference

20 July 2025, 11:42 am

By Ronald Ssemagonja

Hon. Jimmy Akena, President of the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC), has confirmed he will not appeal the recent High Court ruling barring him from contesting for another term as the party’s presidential flag bearer.

Speaking at the party headquarters in Kampala yesterday, Akena told journalists that while he will abide by the court’s decision, he is pleased the court recognised him as the current party president.

“I will not appeal the High Court ruling in Kampala which restrained me from seeking another term as Party President. However, I am glad the court recognises me as the president of Uganda People’s Congress. I have now organised a delegates’ conference to be held on 26 July 2025 in Oyam District. After the conference, I will consider what to do next. I therefore call on all those who think I should not run for another term to come to the delegates’ conference and express themselves,” Akena said.

Akena’s decision follows a challenge from a group of UPC members who argued that the party constitution limits the president to two terms only.

Despite Akena’s announcement, the group that took him to court says they will not attend the delegates’ conference, insisting that Akena has no mandate to organise it.

“Hon. Akena has no authority to call a delegates’ conference because the court has already ruled, and there is nothing to change. He wants delegates to give him the mandate to continue leading the party, yet this is against our constitution. The Uganda People’s Congress constitution states the party president may serve only two terms, yet Akena is seeking a third. We cannot accept that. They will hold their delegates’ conference, but we will not respect its decisions; we will follow the court ruling,” a member said.

Internal tensions within the party are expected to escalate as the date of the delegates’ conference approaches.