The Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) has gone ahead with a controversial extraordinary delegates’ conference that extended Jimmy Akena’s term as party president by one year, despite an interim court order barring the meeting.
Held on Saturday, July 26, 2025, at Nalya Kira in Wakiso District and virtually across the country, the conference attracted over 800 delegates and saw sweeping amendments to the party’s constitution — all in open defiance of a court directive issued just a day earlier.
On Friday, July 25, Lady Justice Joyce Kavuma issued an ex parte order restraining Akena and UPC from convening the assembly until the hearing of a main application challenging his leadership, set for July 29.
“An interim ex parte order is hereby issued for three days restraining the second and second Respondents, their agents, servants, or anyone acting under their authority from convening either by physical or virtual, the extra-ordinary delegates’ conference scheduled for 26/07/2025,” the ruling read.
The application was brought by veteran UPC member Joseph Pinytek Ochieno, who argued through lawyer Rodgers Katunguka that the planned conference would prejudice an ongoing case regarding the legality of Akena’s leadership.
Ochieno referenced a 2016 Court of Appeal decision ordering fresh party elections, which were won by Peter Walubiri — a ruling he claims invalidates Akena’s continued tenure.
Despite this, the conference proceeded. In a key move, delegates temporarily suspended Articles 25.2 and 25.3 of the UPC Constitution (2008 as amended), which require prior notice for amendments.
This allowed them to revise Article 14.1(3), aligning it with Article 105(1) and (2) of Uganda’s national Constitution concerning presidential term limits.
Party leaders cited Article 2 of the national Constitution, which grants it supremacy over all other laws, as the basis for their actions.
The extension of Akena’s term is effective immediately and is aimed at allowing his administration to organize internal elections and prepare for the 2026 national polls.
In his closing speech, Akena expressed gratitude to delegates and pledged to focus on reconciliation and party unity.
“Your overwhelming attendance and the resolutions will continue to shape the Party and our beloved country,” he said.
The UPC reaffirmed its commitment to the Inter-Party Organisation for Dialogue (IPOD) and to continued engagement with other political parties as mandated by the Political Parties and Organizations Act.
The venue for the event was shifted from the Northern Gateway Hotel in Kamdini, Oyam District, after Uganda Police declined to provide security, citing “current security engagements and operational exigencies.”
Speaking to journalists a day before the conference, Akena questioned the police decision, accusing unnamed actors of trying to frustrate efforts to “return the party to its rightful owners.”
The legal battles surrounding Akena’s presidency have simmered for years. Justice Namanya previously nullified his nomination for a fresh term, declaring the re-election illegal but allowing him to serve out his last term. Akena claims he was given roughly two and a half weeks “to restore order.”
“I refuse to abandon UPC to uncertainty. The delegates must decide,” Akena said, defending his bid for a fresh mandate.
He also referenced the removal of presidential term limits from Uganda’s Constitution: “Term limits were abolished in 2005 to accommodate President Museveni. If he can run in 2026, why can’t I? Norbert Mao is running for a fourth term,” he argued.
However, Akena’s main challenger, Denis Adim Enap, dismissed the proceedings as illegitimate.
“The court ruled that Akena was illegally elected and cannot contest again. We must be guided by that ruling if we are to move forward,” Enap said.
Enap recently secured a legal victory barring Akena from contesting for the 2025–2030 term.
The main application challenging Akena’s leadership will be heard on July 29.
