Lango leaders break ranks with UPC's Akena, declare support for Museveni

MBALE - A 17-member delegation of Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) and Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) leaders from Lango have met President Yoweri Museveni at the State Lodge in Mbale city.

The members reportedly formally distanced themselves from comments made by embattled Uganda People's Congress (UPC) president Jimmy James Michael Akena, urging his supporters not to vote for President Museveni in the 2026 General Election.

In a pronouncement presented to the President and signed by team leader, former regional UPC vice-president Chris Ongom, and group secretary Geoffrey Alex Ogwal, the delegation on Saturday, November 15, 2025, evening outlined several issues it wants the Head of State to address.

They also pledged to mobilise support for President Museveni, the National Resistance Movement party presidential flag bearer.

President Museveni reportedly promised to consider Lango (UPC) and FDC leaders’ requests for the benefit of the people of Lango. (All Photos by Hudson Apunyo)

President Museveni reportedly promised to consider their requests for the benefit of the people of Lango.

The President also met another team from Lira, including City West independent parliamentary candidate Jimmy Awany, Joel Okao Tema, Patrick Okwir and Godwin Acai.

Awany confirmed the meeting but declined to discuss details, citing security considerations. Attempts to reach Presidential Press Secretary Faruk Kirunda for comment were unsuccessful.

Acai Godwin

The public pronouncement

We, the undersigned members, leaders and elders of UPC and FDC from Lango Sub-region, aware that the UPC party has no presidential candidate for the 2026 General Election due to its constitutional limitations and ongoing court cases raised by members.
Further aware that in the recent past, while addressing UPC flag-bearers and during a radio programme on QFM Lira, Jimmy James Michael Akena, MP Lira City East and UPC Party President, publicly stated that: “Those who wanted to vote for me, who had decided to vote for me, who were supporting me, don’t think of giving my vote to the President (Yoweri Museveni).” 

Cognisant of the fact that under the leadership of His Excellency General Yoweri Kaguta Museveni since 1986, Lango and Uganda have enjoyed peace, development and wealth-creation initiatives.

Now, therefore, resolve as follows: To strongly disassociate ourselves as UPC/FDC members, leaders and elders from Lango region from the pronouncement made by Akena.

To declare our unwavering support for His Excellency General Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, NRM presidential candidate, as President of the Republic of Uganda for the term 2026–2031.

To appeal to the UPC/FDC fraternity in Lango to support this cause for unity, peace and development in the sub-region and the country.

Jimmy Awany Cingmalo

Statement to Museveni

Your Excellency, the President of the Republic of Uganda and NRM flag-bearer for 2026–2031, we appreciate your time in meeting elders of UPC/FDC from Lango. Among us are elders who have witnessed Uganda’s struggles before, during and after colonial administration.

We categorically disassociate ourselves from the pronouncement made by Hon. Jimmy Akena, urging supporters not to vote for you. We are committed to mobilising support for your candidature in the 2026 presidential election, in the spirit of national unity.

The people of Lango supported government efforts during the LRA insurgency through the Amuka militia, contributing to the pacification of Northern Uganda. After the war, your government introduced development programmes: PAPSCA, NUSAF, NAADS and most recently PDM, which have uplifted household incomes among low-income families.

We also appreciate the infrastructural developments in Lango, including the Rwenkunye–Apac–Lira–Acholi Bur road, Lira–Kamdini road, Akii Bua Stadium, upgraded health facilities, seed secondary schools and small-scale irrigation schemes.

We further acknowledge the appointment of Lango sons and daughters as ministers, ambassadors and members of boards and commissions.

We thank you for granting district status to Aber, carved out of Oyam, a long-standing demand aimed at taking services closer to the people. These achievements, among others, strengthen our trust in your leadership.

Your Excellency, we therefore pledge to mobilise votes for you across the Lango Sub-region as resolved during our meeting held on 12 November 2025 at Gracious Palace Hotel, Lira City. However, we request the following interventions:

• A clear strategy for the cattle restocking and rehabilitation initiative of five cattle per household to enhance incomes and nutrition, possibly included in the 2026/2027 budget framework.

•  Support for strategic road projects, including Dokolo–Namasale, Lira–Aloi–Otuke–Abim, and Aboke–Ngai–Bobi roads.

•  Elevation of Uganda Technical College Lira to a University of Science and Technology to boost skilling efforts.

•  Consideration of additional appointments of skilled and hardworking people from Lango into senior government positions, including permanent secretaries, commissioners, directors, the Judiciary, armed forces and boards.

•  To effectively mobilise for your victory, the team requires logistics for radio programmes, media briefings, social media engagements, stakeholder meetings and rallies across the Lango Sub-region.

The 17-member team was led by Chris Ongom, with Geoffrey Alex Ogwal as Secretary.

Those who attended included Kwania LC5 chairperson Geoffrey Ogwal, former Lira LC5 chairperson Alex Orem Alot, Brian Jatim Ogutu (FDC and Oyam councillor), Mak Odongo, Morris Adem Okello (Speaker Lira District and independent LCV candidate), Grace Atim Ogwang, Angelous Ocen (UPC elder, Dokolo), Opur Deapach (UPC leader, Apac), Denis Anyeki, Geoffrey Eling (Kwania Vice Chairperson), Tom Richako Ocen Agwec, Patrick Olobo (FDC leader Lira), Harriet Apili (UPC leader) and George Ewai (former RDC).