By Jumah Kakomo
The president of the opposition Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) party Jimmy Akena says it is now time to front the party in the battle of 2026 general elections to make a difference for the future of Ugandans.
Akena was meeting the party members and supporters on Friday during the party national Mobilization Tours to Kitgum, Acholi Sub Region. While making his address to the gathering, he noted that each and every person globally should remain behind a legacy to the future generation of always leading by example.
He says there is a need to expose braveness in our professions to achieve the targeted goals. He singled out the late Dr. Matthew Lukwiya as a hero for the UPC party and the country in general.
Lukwiya was born on 24 November 1957 – 5 December, he was a Ugandan physician and the supervisor of St. Mary’s Hospital Lacor, outside of Gulu. He was at the forefront of the 2000 Ebola virus disease outbreak in Uganda until he died from the disease.
According to Akena, the late Dr. Matthew Lukwiya is a hero to the spirit of UPC because he sacrificed his life to the people of Ugandan when he used a limited personal protective Equipment (PPE) available to treat patients.
“By then, the late Lukwiya made sure that even nurses should also have the same equipment (PPE) to ensure the lives of Ugandans are saved regardless of political differences because diseases don’t discriminate between our political differences, languages, regions, colors among others,” Akena said.
Akena adds that during Lukwiya’s education, he performed very well and later succeeded with quality education but asks why now people of Kitgum no longer get quality education.
“You all know very well none of you in Kitgum gets quality education that is why I am here to lay down strategies with you to ensure we regain the same as it was before,” Akena added.
He also highlights huge taxes imposed on teachers saying their salary is like a drop to an ocean.
“Am not against taxes but nothing is done, go in the hospitals there is no medicine, look at our roads, education among others, now what huge taxes are for, science teachers paid higher that art teachers, but we have children with different gifts who also need opportunities to succeed like Professor Okot Bitek,” Akena stated.
Akena reveals that these are among the reasons why he has made a decision to make a difference during the 2026 general elections. He calls for the party support to male this difference because he cannot make it alone.
“I will always be in front of you, ensuring that none of your elections will be rigged, I will always be there for protection as I have done,” he added.
