By Kabuye Ronald
The High Court in Kampala has dismissed a petition by Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) president Jimmy James Akena challenging the Electoral Commission’s decision to block him from contesting in the 2026 presidential elections under the UPC banner.
Akena, alongside fellow aspirant Adim Dennis Enapu, was disqualified during the nomination process after the Commission ruled that neither candidate was eligible to hold the UPC party card required under the party’s constitution.
Through its legal representative, Erute County MP Jonathan Odur, UPC filed a judicial review application seeking to overturn the Commission’s decision and secure a temporary injunction compelling it to accept Akena’s nomination.
Odur argued that Akena had met all legal requirements, including collecting the mandatory 98 district endorsements and submitting valid academic credentials. He also cited the rejection of a 20-member delegation designated to accompany Akena at nomination as arbitrary and unjustified.
“We were taken aback by what we believe is malice on the part of the Electoral Commission in entertaining a frivolous complaint,” Odur said, alleging internal party disputes had been improperly elevated.
He contended that the objections originated from individuals within UPC who had not contested for the presidential flag, and emphasized that the ongoing leadership dispute within the party is still pending before the High Court making the Commission’s decision premature and legally unsound.
However, in a ruling delivered via email, Justice Bernard Namanya rejected the petition, stating it was filed after the closure of the nomination period, thereby rendering it procedurally untenable.
The Electoral Commission maintained that Akena had already served two terms as UPC president, making him ineligible under the party’s constitution. Odur countered that Akena’s term was lawfully extended by one year by the party’s highest organ, the delegates’ conference due to disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Although Akena’s bid was struck down, Justice Namanya permitted UPC to proceed with nominations for other elective positions, including parliamentary seats, as the wider case remains under judicial consideration.
