UPC says built 285,000-member structure

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The Uganda People's Congress (UPC) says it has built its grassroots structure with over 285,000 members participating in recent branch elections across the country.

Party president Jimmy Akena made remarks on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, at the party headquarters in Kampala.

According to Akena, the election on June 14, 2025, marked a major milestone in the party’s efforts to strengthen its presence at the village level.

He commended party members for their enthusiasm and participation in the elections, describing the turnout as a ‘wonderful starting point’ for the party’s 2026 elections.  

"If we're talking in military terms, that is basically a field army," Akena said.

"A field army can be anywhere between 80,000 to 300,000 people, but this is now closer to 300,000,’’ he added.

He said, looking at the general election and its targets, he is comfortable that as UPC, it has started on the right foot.

The UPC leader expressed confidence that the party's new structure will underpin its campaign for the 2026 general election and deliver a credible pathway for development for Ugandan citizens.

Despite some problems encountered during the elections, the party is committed to building a formidable structure that will drive its campaign forward.

"We expect a good result or a good turnout come the 2026 elections," Akena said.

"We are going to continue with our party structures and our internal campaign to ensure that UPC is ready to deliver a credible pathway for development for the citizens of Uganda."

However, the UPC leader also warned of potential challenges ahead, particularly with regard to the use of military courts to handle political cases.

The leader expressed concern that military courts are prone to abuse by those in command, and that this could frustrate political actors and undermine democracy.

"As we are heading into a general election, it is not something which I feel will actually benefit, and work in the interest of the citizens or in the interest of democracy," the leader said.

Akena called for a national conversation about the best way forward for Uganda, asking Ugandans to reflect on their current situation and think about the kind of country they want to build for the future.