By KT Reporter
The Electoral Commission (EC) has barred the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) from fielding a presidential candidate in the 2026 elections, citing breaches of the party’s own constitution and binding court orders.
The decision followed a meeting on Sunday, September 21, between EC officials and key UPC figures, among them Hon. Jimmy James Michael Akena, Denis Enap Adim, Joseph Pinytek Ochieno, and Peter Walubiri Mukidi. The gathering was called to clarify who the commission could legally recognise as UPC’s presidential flag bearer.
A day later, on Monday, September 22, EC chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama announced the verdict: neither Akena nor Adim qualifies as the party’s candidate. He advised UPC to respect its constitution and comply with the standing court rulings that govern the party’s leadership.
The commission explained that a High Court decision, Misc. Cause No. 148 of 2025 had already ruled that Akena served the maximum two terms allowed under the UPC constitution. That judgment, which nullified his nomination, has not been overturned and therefore remains binding.
The EC also faulted the party’s Virtual Extraordinary Delegates’ Conference, which had controversially extended Akena’s presidency, saying it violated Articles 25(2) and (3) of the party constitution because a court had previously issued an interim order blocking such a meeting.
Further scrutiny revealed that Akena’s nomination for the 202-2030 term was illegal and void, while Enap Adim’s nomination did not meet the requirements of Article 13(5) of the UPC constitution. Peter Mukidi Walubiri was not considered because he had not participated in the nomination process for party president.
The leadership battle has been simmering for months. In May, Denis Enap Adim challenged Akena’s nomination in court, and the court agreed, ruling that Akena’s extension of office was unlawful. The EC stressed that the entire process also fell short of Section 10 of the Political Parties and Organisations Act, which governs internal party leadership changes.
Adding to the confusion, social media claims suggested that the EC had cleared Akena as the UPC flag bearer. But Jude Byamukama of JByamukama Advocates, representing Joseph Ochieno, dismissed those reports as false.
-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
