The High Court in Kampala has issued a decisive ruling barring Jimmy Akena from contesting for a third term as president of the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC), declaring his nomination illegal and in violation of the party’s constitution.
The ruling follows a legal challenge filed by Dennis Adim Enap, a UPC member and fellow contender in the party’s presidential race.
Enap argued that Akena’s nomination contravenes Article 14.1(3) of the UPC constitution, which limits party presidents to two terms.
The article only allows for a third term if the incumbent wins a national presidential election during their second term— a condition Akena has not fulfilled.
Presiding over the case, Justice Bernard Namanya ruled in favor of the petitioner, stating that Akena had already served two full terms— from 2015 to 2020 and 2020 to 2025— making him ineligible for another bid.
“The nomination of Hon. Jimmy James Michael Akena for the office of party president of the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) for the period 2025 to 2030 is illegal and therefore null and void,” Justice Namanya stated in his ruling delivered on Friday.
The judge referenced a 2020 Court of Appeal decision which acknowledged that although Akena’s initial election in 2015 had been quashed by the High Court, he continued to serve his term under an interim court order.
Justice Namanya further quoted Lady Justice Irene Mulyagonja’s prior observation that Akena continued to function as party president “albeit resulting from an illegal process which was quashed in 2015.”
“Therefore, in accordance with Sections 40 and 42 of the Judicature Act (Cap. 16), I hereby order that the nomination of Hon. Jimmy James Michael Akena for the office of party president of the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) for the period 2025 to 2030 is illegal and therefore null and void,” he ruled.
The court also issued an injunction restraining the UPC from further nominating Akena for the position for the upcoming term.
This landmark decision is expected to significantly impact UPC’s internal leadership dynamics ahead of its 2025 elections.
