On 1, August 2020, Jimmy James Micheal Akena (Obote) was re-elected UPC party president by delegates loyal to him.
Lira—26 November 2020: Uganda Peoples Congress (UPC) party has no presidential candidate in the 2021 elections. This decision has been partly due to court cases and internal squabbles, sources told TND News months ago.
Some sources also said Jimmy James Micheal Akena (Obote) had already decided UPC would not vie for presidency in 2021.
In November 2019, while addressing media at his late father’s residence in Senior Quarters, Lira City East Division, Akena made it clear he would not vie for the country’s top office in 2021.
“I will be seeking re-election as UPC party president in the next delegates conference” were the opening statement from Jimmy Akena, last year.
“At the moment I cannot claim to be the presidential flag bearer of UPC, because that is an issue for the national council and the delegates conference to determine,” he added then.
On 1 August 2020, Akena was re-elected UPC party president by delegates loyal to him. His re-election was described as “sham” by a faction loyal to Peter Walubiri, who claims he’s the legitimate UPC party president.
Subsequently, on 7 September 2020, the Court of Appeal Justices ruled that Akena was illegally elected UPC party president. The judgement paved way for UPC to organise another internal party election.
Lead Justice, Irene Mulyagonja ruled that “the party to conduct the elections of the Party President in accordance with the UPC Constitution, Section 10, of POA, and Article 71 of the Constitution of Uganda”.
Addressing the media in Kampala on 8, September 2020, Peter Walubiri said: “The UPC continues to carry on business on the basis of an interim order issued by this Court on 9th December 2016 to save the execution of the order of High Court Appeal against this matter. It’s now five years down the road and Akena continues to execute the duty of President of the party, albeit resulting from an illegal process.”
He (Walubiri) soon announced that he was planning to organise the delegates conference in which a new party president would be elected as per the Court of Appeal verdict.
Two weeks ago, Walubiri group released a statement showing that there will be a delegates conference on 28 November 2020 to elect a new party leader.
However, during its weekly press briefing on Wednesday at Uganda House in Kampala, UPC national chairman under Akena, Lawrence Okae conveyed a warning to Walubiri and his team, including members loyal to Akena.
“There are a section of diversionists parading out there that there is election of party president on 28/11/2020!” Okae said.
“Please be informed that there is no such election anywhere among the UPC fraternity! You exercised that right as spelt constitutionally on 1/8/2020! That chapter was closed, party leadership is fully in place and UPC is now campaigning to increase her representation at parliament and local council,” he added.
TND News spoke briefly with one of Walubiri aides Thursday morning and said he would respond “later”.