By Weswa Ronnie
NATIONAL
The High Court in Kampala has dismissed a petition by Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) president Jimmy James Akena challenging the Electoral Commission’s decision to stop him from contesting in the 2026 presidential elections on the UPC ticket.
EC had stopped Akena and Adim Dennis Enapu from contesting during the nomination exercise for presidential aspirants, arguing that neither was eligible to hold the UPC party card required to stand as flag bearer under the party’s constitution.
Akena last week petitioned court, seeking an order to compel the Commission to include his name on the presidential ballot.
In a ruling delivered via email, Justice Bernard Namanya on Wednesday, 1st October, 2025 rejected the application, noting that the case was filed after the nomination period had already closed.
The dispute stems from UPC’s internal wrangles, with Akena’s leadership term having expired without formal extension by the party organs, a matter that both the party and the Electoral Commission have maintained disqualifies him from seeking the presidency on its ticket.
Justice Bernard Namanya held that presidential nominations closed on September 24th, and previous court rulings had already declared Akena ineligible for a third term as party president.
However, the court stopped the Electoral Commission from enforcing its decision that UPC’s Executive Committee had expired, allowing the party to continue sponsoring candidates for other elective positions.
This means UPC can still sponsor candidates for other positions (like MPs), but Akena himself cannot run for president.
Electoral Commission spokesperson, Julius Muchunguzi said the Commission is still reviewing the ruling and will communicate its official position to stakeholders.
According to Electoral Commission, eight candidates were nominated to run for 2026 presidential position including Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for NRM, Nathan Nandala Mafabi for FDC, Robert Kyagulanyi Sentaamu Ak Bob Wine for NUP, Robert Kasibante for NPP, Joseph Mabirizi for CP, Gregory Mugisha Muntu for ANT, Mubarak Munyangwa for CMP and Frank Kabinga Bulira for RPP.
