The High Court has dismissed a petition filed by Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) President Jimmy Akena, who sought to compel the Electoral Commission (EC) to nominate him as a presidential candidate.
Akena had approached the court after the EC blocked both him and his rival, Denis Enap Adim, from being nominated as presidential candidates. The Commission cited internal constitutional violations, defiance of court orders, and a prolonged leadership crisis that has left the once-dominant party deeply fractured.
As a result of the EC’s decision, both Akena and Adim—who had already collected nomination papers—were automatically disqualified from the 2026 presidential race.
The ruling comes after a high-stakes meeting at the EC headquarters, where senior UPC figures—including Akena, Adim, Joseph Ochieno, and Peter Walubiri—were summoned to clarify the party’s legitimate leadership.
“The Commission cannot legally recognize any candidate from UPC at this time,” said EC Chairperson, Justice Simon Byabakama, citing binding court decisions and serious violations of the party’s constitution.
Central to the crisis is High Court Miscellaneous Cause No. 148 of 2025, which found that Akena had unlawfully extended his presidency beyond the constitutionally mandated two-term limit. The EC further ruled that the controversial virtual delegates’ conference held by Akena’s faction—despite a court injunction—was illegitimate and unconstitutional.
Consequently, Akena’s bid for nomination for the 2026–2030 term was declared illegal and void. His rival, Adim, was also disqualified for failing to meet the requirements outlined in Article 13(5) of the UPC constitution.
Peter Walubiri, a leading figure in another UPC faction, was not considered at all, having failed to participate in the nomination process.
Justice Byabakama emphasized that the UPC’s internal turmoil contravenes Section 10 of the Political Parties and Organisations Act, which governs party leadership transitions.
In his ruling, Justice Bernard Namanya dismissed Akena’s application, noting it was filed after the close of the nomination period. He directed that the party proceed with the nomination of parliamentary candidates.
