By Spy Uganda
The Uganda Peoples Congress (UPC) has suspended nine members and recommended the dismissal of several of them, deepening an internal leadership dispute that has pitted rival groups within the party against each other.
The disciplinary action follows hearings by the party’s National Disciplinary Committee (NDC), chaired by Peter Paul Okello, which investigated alleged violations of the UPC Constitution, Code of Ethics and other party regulations.
At the centre of the proceedings is Denis Enap Adim, whom the committee found responsible for 15 violations. The committee ordered his immediate suspension and recommended that the National Council dismiss him from the party.
According to the ruling, the committee found that Enap had presented himself as UPC president and issued official communications in that capacity, including correspondence relating to party appointments and engagement with Parliament.
The committee said the use of the UPC name, emblem, flag, stamp and presidential title amounted to violations of party regulations and contributed to divisions within the organisation.
The disciplinary proceedings began on August 31, 2026, with hearings initially held in Lira City before being transferred to the UPC headquarters at Uganda House in Kampala.
The committee also considered allegations involving parallel party structures, misinformation, infiltration, harassment and links to political organisations considered contrary to UPC interests.
However, the ruling distinguished between allegations supported by evidence and those it considered unsubstantiated. In one instance, the committee noted that there was no concrete evidence that Enap had received money from organisations mentioned during the proceedings, describing that part of the evidence as speculation and hearsay.
The committee further recorded that Enap did not attend the proceedings despite being invited, and that no authorised representative appeared on his behalf. It nevertheless noted that his absence did not automatically establish the allegations against him and that the complainants remained responsible for proving the claims.
Other members facing disciplinary action include Jack Khabusi, Magero Emmanuel Were and Aisha Naome Natukunda, who were accused of claiming authority to influence or determine the party presidency.
Josephine Babirye faced allegations including indiscipline, infiltration, hooliganism and violence, while Chris Ongom, Alex Ogwal Adyebo, Suzan Achola and George Ewal were accused of mobilising or campaigning for National Resistance Movement candidates contrary to UPC rules.
The disciplinary measures come against the backdrop of a prolonged leadership contest between Enap and UPC president Jimmy James Michael Akena.
Enap has challenged Akena’s leadership and sought recognition as party president, while Akena’s camp maintains that the party’s constitutional structures did not elect Enap to the position.
The dispute has also reached court, with legal proceedings involving Enap, UPC and Akena addressing aspects of the party’s leadership and electoral processes.
The latest disciplinary ruling therefore places the party’s internal structures at the centre of the dispute, particularly questions over who has authority to speak for UPC, use its official symbols and exercise powers on its behalf.
The National Disciplinary Committee has now referred the dismissal recommendations to the National Council for consideration. The eventual outcome, including any available appeals or related court proceedings, could determine the next phase of the leadership dispute.
