Akena Applies for Court Injunction against EC

The president of the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC), Jimmy James Michael Akena, has petitioned the High Court for an interim order to prevent the Electoral Commission (EC) from blocking his nomination as UPC’s presidential flag bearer.

Akena is asking the court to halt the EC’s directives outlined in a letter dated September 20, 2025.

This letter nullified the mandate of the party’s Executive Committee and refused to recognize any flag bearer from UPC for the upcoming 2026 general elections.

The EC’s cited several court rulings including one which  declared Akena’s nomination for a third term as UPC president “illegal, null and void” and restrained the party from nominating him as president for the period 2025–2030.

Fred Ebil, the UPC’s current Secretary General, emphasized that Akena is still part of the active Executive Committee and has the authority to manage the party’s affairs.

Ebil states  that  the EC decision has placed UPC at risk of a “total leadership crisis” as the  aspiring candidates for various posts for Members of Parliament, district level leadership, and councillors at all levels shall have no executive to nominate them so that they can participate in the  General Elections.

However The EC ruled that the mandate of the UPC’s Executive Committee expired on August 1, 2025.

Highcourt Judge Bernard Namanya set the case for ruling on 1st October after directing parties to file and exchange written submissions.