Akena Blames Museveni for Failed Presidential Nomination

Jimmy James Michael Akena, President of the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC), has accused NRM President Yoweri Museveni of frustrating his presidential ambitions and undermining Uganda’s oldest political party.

Speaking in Lira City during a homecoming event organized by party loyalists, Akena said the ruling government has persistently interfered with institutions to weaken UPC’s influence.

The comments were in response to the Electoral Commission’s decision to disqualify him and other UPC leaders from participating in the presidential elections. Akena, appearing in Lira for the first time since the decision, declared that his fight is far from over.

Despite the hurdles, Akena expressed optimism about the future. “Today, I decided to start with a gospel song, and the key of the song is that my tomorrow must be greater than today, and it doesn’t matter what they do to me, what they say, whatever they do, I am moving ahead for a better tomorrow.”

He added: “I am not leaving Museveni, I am bumper to bumper with Museveni, up to the end. That is my one focus, I am going to stick to him, if he tosses this, I am going to be on his neck, there is nothing I am going to let pass.” During the event, Akena knelt when the national anthem was sung as a sign of protest, urging all UPC supporters and well-wishers to protest the perceived injustice in the same manner.

Recently, while addressing journalists from his state lodge in Baralegi, President Museveni denied any personal knowledge of what happened to Akena or the UPC, stating he only “saw it in the papers.”