The Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) has in defiance of a High Court has held a delegates’ conference ito extend party president Jimmy Akena’s term by 12 months.
The event took place on Saturday, July 26, 2025, physically at Nalya Kira in Wakiso District and virtually in various parts of the country.
On Friday, Lady Justice Joyce Kavuma issued an interim ex parte order blocking the delegates conference until the main case challenging Akena’s leadership in determined.
“An interim ex parte order is hereby issued for three days restraining the second and second Respondents, their agents, servants, or any one acting under their authority from convening either by physical or virtual, the extra-ordinary delegates’ conference scheduled for 26/07/2025,” Lady Justice Kavuma said in the interim order on Friday.
The case was brought by Joseph Pinytek Ochieno, a veteran UPC member. Through his lawyer Rodgers Katunguka, he said the meeting would interfere with an ongoing case challenging Akena’s leadership.
He also cited a 2016 Court of Appeal decision which ordered fresh elections, in which Peter Walubiri emerged winner making Akena’s leadership illegal, according to Ochieno.
However, on Saturday, around 800 delegates attended the virtual delegates conference and passed resolutions, including changes to the party constitution and preparations for the 2026 general elections.
One of the major decisions made was the temporary suspension of Articles 25.2 and 25.3 of the party’s constitution, which require advance notice before amending the constitution.
This allowed the delegates to change Article 14.1(3) to match Article 105(1) and (2) of Uganda’s national Constitution, which deals with presidential term limits.
Party leaders defended the move by pointing to Article 2 of the national Constitution, which says it overrides all other laws.
Jimmy Akena, whose term was immediately extended, said the extra time will help him organize internal elections and prepare the party for the 2026 elections.
“Your overwhelming attendance and the resolutions will continue to shape the Party and our beloved country,” he said in his closing remarks.
He also promised to focus on unity and reconciliation within the party.
Before the conference, the venue was shifted from Northern Gateway Hotel in Kamdini, Oyam District, after police said they would not provide security due to “current security engagements and operational exigencies.”
Speaking to the press, Akena criticized the police decision and blamed unnamed people for trying to block efforts to “return the party to its rightful owners.”
“Following the ruling, I was granted about two and a half weeks to restore order,” Akena said. “I refuse to abandon UPC to uncertainty. The delegates must decide.”
He also compared his case to national politics. “Term limits were abolished in 2005 to accommodate President Museveni. If he can run in 2026, why can’t I? Norbert Mao is running for a fourth term,” he said.
Akena’s rival, Denis Adim Enap, dismissed the conference as illegal.
“The court ruled that Akena was illegally elected and cannot contest again. We must be guided by that ruling if we are to move forward,” said Enap.
Enap recently won a court case blocking Akena from contesting for the UPC presidency for the 2025–2030 term.
The court will hear the main case challenging Akena’s leadership on July 29.
