By Spy Uganda
The High Court in Kampala has dealt a heavy blow to embattled Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) leader Hon. Jimmy James Michael Akena, ruling that he cannot be nominated as the party’s presidential flag bearer in the forthcoming 2025/26 elections. The decision, hailed by rival Joseph Pinytek Ochieno as a triumph against what he described as “illegal cling to power,” cements the Electoral Commission’s earlier stance that Akena’s tenure expired on August 1, 2025.
In his ruling delivered on October 1, 2025, Justice Bernard Namanya upheld the Electoral Commission’s decision barring Akena’s nomination, noting that the nomination window had already closed and that Akena’s bid contravened both court orders and the UPC constitution.
Quoting from the ruling, Justice Namanya observed: “It is practically impossible for this court to order the Electoral Commission to nominate Hon. Jimmy James Michael Akena as a UPC presidential candidate for the General Elections 2025/2026 because the nomination exercise is already closed.”
The court found that Akena’s controversial attempt to extend his presidency during a virtual delegates’ conference on 26th July 2025 was itself unlawful, having been convened in defiance of an interim court order. “It is highly doubtable as to whether UPC could legally convene a delegates’ conference in contravention of the order prohibiting the convening of the virtual Extra-Ordinary Delegates Conference,” Justice Namanya remarked.
While the judge allowed UPC a reprieve by blocking the Electoral Commission from enforcing its declaration that the party’s executive committee had expired—thus enabling UPC to still field parliamentary and local council candidates—the ruling was unequivocal that Akena’s presidential ambitions on the UPC ticket are dead.
The decision drew elation from Mr. Ochieno, who has long challenged Akena’s grip on the party. Speaking shortly after the ruling, Ochieno declared that the judgment vindicated his fight for internal democracy within UPC. “This is the end of impunity. The court has affirmed that no one is above the constitution—neither of the country nor of the party,” he said, beaming with triumph.
The judgment leaves UPC fractured but clears the way for fresh leadership struggles as the party braces for the 2025/26 electoral contests. For Akena, son of UPC founder Dr. Apollo Milton Obote, the court’s ruling could mark the end of his tumultuous decade-long dominance over the party.
Full Ruling
