High Court Bars Akena From Presidential Race, But Allows UPC to Field Candidates
Written by Admin on October 1, 2025
The High Court in Kampala has ruled that Hon. Jimmy James Michael Akena will not be nominated to contest as the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) presidential candidate in the 2025/2026 General Elections.
The ruling, delivered on Wednesday, October 1st, 2025, by Justice Bernard Namanya, followed an application by Akena and the UPC challenging a decision of the Electoral Commission. The Commission had earlier rejected Akena’s nomination, citing non-compliance with the UPC party constitution and the expiry of the party’s Executive Committee on August 1st, 2025.
In court, Akena argued that his leadership was extended by a virtual delegates’ conference held in July. However, the judge noted that this conference had been stopped by an earlier court order, making its resolutions invalid. Justice Namanya also pointed out that presidential nominations had already closed on September 24th, making it impossible to direct the Electoral Commission to add Akena to the list of candidates.
Quoting past rulings, the judge reaffirmed that Akena was not eligible to seek a third term as UPC president, and therefore could not lawfully be nominated to run for the presidency under the party flag.
At the same time, the court partially sided with UPC by stopping the Electoral Commission from implementing its decision that the party’s Executive Committee had expired. This means the UPC still retains the right to sponsor candidates for other elective positions such as Members of Parliament, despite the ongoing leadership wrangles.
In his final orders, Justice Namanya emphasized that while Akena will not appear on the presidential ballot, UPC as a party should not be barred from participating in the elections. The matter will continue to be heard in a substantive case pending before the High Court.
