Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) President Jimmy Akena has dismissed three members of the party’s Electoral Commission for allegedly overstepping their constitutional mandate and undermining party structures ahead of the 2026 general elections.
The expelled officials—Commission Vice Chairperson Jack Kabuusu, and commissioners Magere Emmanuel and Aisha Naomi Natukunda—were accused of acting unilaterally by submitting a “Certificate of Declaration” to the national Electoral Commission, introducing city lawyer Denis Adim Enap as the new UPC President.
Akena condemned the move as unconstitutional, asserting that the party Electoral Commission has no authority over presidential nominations. “The constitutional role of the party Electoral Commission is to process candidates from Member of Parliament downward. It does not have a specific role concerning the presidency,” he said during a press briefing in Kampala.
He emphasized that official communication with the national Electoral Commission must go through sanctioned party channels, not individual commissioners. The fallout comes just days before UPC’s highly anticipated national delegates’ conference, scheduled for Saturday, where the party will elect its presidential flagbearer for the 2026 elections.
Akena, who has already declared his intention to contest, reiterated his openness to internal competition. “Anyone who believes they are best placed to lead UPC into 2026 is free to present themselves before the delegates,” he said.
Tensions escalated further following reports that the dismissed commissioners disqualified another presidential aspirant without due process—fueling confusion and internal unrest.
“What is disturbing party members is the messaging—outrageous and fictitious claims are circulating. It’s hurting morale and cohesion,” Akena noted.
The disciplinary shake-up follows a High Court ruling last week that invalidated Akena’s nomination for a third presidential term. Justice Bernard Namanya ruled that Akena’s bid violated Article 14.1(3) of the UPC Constitution, which limits the party presidency to two five-year terms unless the incumbent wins Uganda’s national presidency.
The petition, filed by Denis Adim Enap, led the court to nullify Akena’s nomination and restrain him from contesting in the upcoming term, throwing UPC’s leadership into uncertainty just months before national elections.
