A group of Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) leaders accused of openly campaigning for President Yoweri Museveni during the 2026 general elections has rejected summons to appear before the party’s National Disciplinary Committee, citing a leadership vacuum within the party.
The leaders- former Kwania District LCV Chairperson Alex Ogwal Adyebo, former UPC Kwania District Chairperson George Ewal, former Apac District Woman MP flag bearer Susan Achola, and former UPC Regional Vice Chairperson for Lango Chris Ongom were summoned to answer allegations of mobilizing and campaigning for Museveni, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) presidential candidate, contrary to the UPC constitution.
In letters dated August 18, 2026, UPC National Disciplinary Committee Chairperson Peter Paul Okello invited the four to appear before the committee over the allegations. They were expected to appear before the committee at the UPC party headquarters in Kampala today, Thursday 3rd September.
However, the leaders opted to hold a procession in Lira City before expressing their discomfort, saying they will not appear, arguing that the tenure of the UPC executive committee expired on August 1, 2025, and that no new legitimate structure has since been constituted.
Addressing journalists shortly after, Adyebo said they had instructed their lawyer to respond to the summons and maintain their position that the current party leadership lacks the legal mandate to subject them to disciplinary proceedings.
He cited a September 22, 2025 letter from the Electoral Commission which “found that the term of office of the executive committee of the Uganda People’s Congress expired on the 1st of August 2025.” He said.
Adding, “Partial to section 93 of the Political Parties and the Organizational Act, and no proof has been furnished to date that shows that there is a current structure in place. So for that matter we could not appear before a legal committee.”
Adyebo also denied wrongdoing, arguing that UPC had no duly elected or nominated presidential candidate in the 2026 election against whom they could have campaigned. He cited Article 361 of the UPC Constitution, which he said prohibits members from supporting another party’s candidate against a duly elected or nominated UPC candidate.
He said the decision to support Museveni was also driven by what he described as the need for Lango to regain influence in government after decades outside power.
“History has shown very clearly that some of the prominent members of UPC supported other candidates of other parties and they have never been invited for any discussion. So why are we applying the laws of the party selectively?” he wondered.
Adyeo warned the party leaders against what he called “intimidation” of members who actually hold the party together.
Ongom, who served as UPC Regional Vice Chairperson for Lango for about 10 years until his term ended in August 2025, similarly defended the decision, saying UPC failed to field a presidential candidate after a court case prevented the party from completing the process.
He said UPC leaders in Lango subsequently agreed to support Museveni and mobilize voters for him and that their decision was intended to secure government attention and development for Lango, rather than to undermine UPC.
“We all agreed unanimously that this time around, Lango, irrespective of political affiliation, irrespective of whether you are religious or cultural, we will all support and vote for President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.” He said.
He urged the party leadership to resolve its internal governance challenges, organize elections and amend its constitution where necessary to enable UPC to prepare for the 2031 elections, warning that failure to address the leadership gap could again prevent the party from fielding a presidential candidate in future elections.
Former Lira District LCV Chairperson Alex Oremo Alot took a conciliatory position, urging the warring factions to abandon disciplinary confrontations and pursue reconciliation. Oremo said the 2025/2026 elections were over and called on UPC members to accept the outcome and work with those who emerged successful.
“Either you participated as a candidate, participated to support the other candidates, let us bury the outcome of the elections and accept to work with those who are already successful,” Oremo said.
He defended the decision to support Museveni, saying Lango had no UPC presidential candidate and that leaders had a responsibility to provide political direction to their supporters.
Oremo also urged the party leadership to retain its members, warning that disciplinary action against senior members could weaken the party.
The leaders also used the occasion to urge Museveni to fulfil development pledges to Lango, including the construction of the Lango Cultural Centre, Anai Regional Airport and several roads, as well as continued cattle restocking.
The dispute comes against the backdrop of wider disagreements within UPC over its leadership structure and the party’s failure to field a presidential candidate in the 2026 general elections. The leaders say they will only appear before the disciplinary committee once a leadership structure they consider legally constituted is in place-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
