By Jumah Kakomo
The Opposition Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) party President Jimmy James Akena Micheal has confirmed that the party will proceed with its delegates conference virtually despite receiving a letter from the police hindering its occurrence expressing concerns over security.
On July 22, 2025, Akena declared the party delegates conference that had scheduled for July 26, 2025, it Kamudini at Northern Gateway Hotel Oyam district intending to ask aggrieved party members to use it to resolve any sticking issues following the cancellation of Akena’s leadership at UPC.
The high court in Kampala on July 18, 2025 declared the nomination of Jimmy James Michael Akena for a third term as president of the party illegal, null and void, citing a violation of the party’s constitution.
The ruling was delivered by Justice Bernard Namanya, followed a legal challenge filed by the party member Dennis Adim Enap, who argued that Akena had already served the constitutionally allowed two terms refering to article 14.1(3) of the UPC constitution which says a party president is limited to two five-year terms, unless they become president of Uganda during their second term, a condition Akena does not meet. According to Dennis Adim Enap, Akena was first elected in 2015, served until 2020, and was re-elected for the second term from 2020-2025.
On July 25, 2025, at party headquarters Kampala, Akena revealed that he went himself to Nagulalu police headquarters and picked a letter informing him not to proceed with the delegates conference due to lack of capacity to provide adequate security for the event which Akena doesn’t adhere to.
“Let me emphasize the party’s determination to move forward with its activities, the virtual conference will enable delegates from various locations of the country to participate safely and efficiently, ensuring the party’s business is conducted without interruption,” Akena said.
Akena says that the constitution of Uganda doesn’t hinder term limits for political offices, but rather, it’s the courts that are blocking him from contesting for multiple terms.
The embattled Akena accused his rivals both within and outside the party of using the courts to block his political trajectory and influence in the party, rather than facing the will of the people through democratic processes. He says these individuals know they cannot defeat him before the delegates, so they are resorting to technical and legal tactics, but UPC is not built on courtrooms, it is built on the voices of its people.
Akena further called upon party members to remain united and focused ahead of the 2026 general elections, warning that internal divisions only serve to weaken the UPC’s ability to compete on the national stage.
