By Jimmy Akena has pledged to lead the party into what he called a “serious national campaign” ahead of the 2026 general elections. He made this declaration upon being nominated to contest for the presidency of the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) part in the upcoming party primaries,
In his speech, Akena raised concern over recent developments in Parliament, where he claimed that efforts are underway to amend the Political Parties and Organizations Act with the intention of cutting public funding to political parties.
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“These are strange happenings, and they are specifically targeting the Political Parties and Organizations Act,” Akena said. “The NRM has realized that their 50 plus 1 [majority] is under threat.”
He applauded UPC members for building momentum and expressed confidence that the ground is shifting in favor of change. “The regime is shaken,” he stated. “The ground is opening for change which will require us to reach the grassroots.”
Akena, who is also the current UPC president, said he is ready to lead the party into the general election and promised to mobilize UPC supporters nationwide. “I will be available to mobilize the Uganda People’s Congress for the big task ahead of reshaping the future of Uganda,” he said.
He declared himself and the party ready for the national contest and committed to backing all UPC candidates from presidential to local government levels. “Let us strengthen the party, organize it, and be able to field a strong presidential campaign,” he urged.
Without naming his rival, Dennis Enap, who is also vying for the party presidency, Akena said he would not engage in personal attacks but added, “This is the big league now… jokes aside, this is going to be a very serious campaign.”
On the other hand Dennis Adim Enap the second candidate in the race welcomed several aspects of the party’s roadmap and affirmed his willingness to comply with the electoral guidelines.
Calling on UPC members to seize the moment to rebuild the party, Enap urged unity and honest dialogue. “It is an opportunity for us to take the UPC back to the dreams of its founding members, including Apollo Milton Obote,” he said.
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He emphasized that his campaign team is committed to upholding the party’s constitution and would oppose any deviation from it. “Anything that veers off the constitution shall not be permissible under our watch,” he warned.
According to the party’s roadmap, the electoral process will begin on June 11, 2025, with stakeholder meetings in Lango, followed by grassroots elections across the country. Elections will continue region by region through June 20, culminating in the national announcement of the adult suffrage election results on June 21.
Further elections for parish, sub-county, constituency, district, and city executives will follow through late June and early July. The final step will be the nomination of the party president through the district and city conferences, as required by the UPC constitution.
