Police foil Akena supporters’ planned protest in Lira

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LIRA - Police backed by the military on Monday, September 29, 2025, morning, foiled a planned demonstration by supporters of Lira City East Division Member of Parliament Jimmy Akena.

A group of Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) loyalists aligned to Akena had gathered at the home of former President Apollo Milton Obote, now occupied by Akena and his siblings. They lit a bonfire and huddled around it in what sources described as “a prayer and lamentation” over the Electoral Commission’s decision to block Akena’s nomination as UPC’s presidential flag-bearer for the 2026 General Election.

Simon Opio Okaka said to be behind the planned UPC protest but could not be reached for comments. (Credit: Hudson Apunyo)

North Kyoga region Police spokesperson Patrick Jimmy Okema said intelligence reports had pointed to planned riots by some identified UPC supporters. The protests were expected to start in Lira City and later spread to other districts in the region. The designated gathering point was Akena’s residence in Senior Quarters, Lira City.

“As Police and other security organs, we have not received any formal notification to the office of the Inspector General of Police, nor a reply to that effect. It is, therefore, a very illegal intention,” Okema said.

He assured the public that the North Kyoga region remains peaceful and warned that anyone who attempts to disrupt the peace will be dealt with according to the law. 

“We appeal to all law-abiding citizens to respect the rule of law and report to the nearest police station any person with such intentions, so that they can be arrested and prosecuted after thorough investigations,” Okema added. 

He noted that all territorial commands had been guided to act accordingly.

Why Akena Was Blocked from Nomination

According to the EC, Akena’s election as party president was illegal, null, and void. The commission cited irregularities in the process that brought him to leadership, disqualifying him and the others from official nomination under the UPC banner.

The UPC constitution (Article 14.1(3) limits the party president to two terms, unless the incumbent wins a national presidential election during their second term. Akena had already served two full terms (2015–2020 and 2020–2025), but since he did not meet the exceptional condition, his bid for another term breached the constitution.

Court rulings upholding the limit

The High Court in Kampala, presided over by Justice Bernard Namanya, ruled that Akena’s nomination for the 2025–2030 term was illegal, null and void. The decision followed a petition by UPC member Dennis Adim Enap, who challenged Akena’s re-nomination. The court also barred UPC from nominating him again.