UPC's Akena says to discuss with supporters who to give his 2026 votes

LIRA - Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) President Jimmy James Michael Akena has told those who wanted to vote for him as Uganda's next president in the 2026 General Election that he will "discuss how to sort this out, but do not give my vote to the President. That vote belongs to the people.” 

The Electoral Commission (EC) last month blocked Akena’s nomination as UPC’s presidential flag-bearer for the 2026 General Election.

EC's decision came shortly after the High Court in Kampala, presided over by Justice Bernard Namanya, ruled that Akena’s nomination as UPC president 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.

“Those who wanted to vote for me, who have decided to vote for me, who are supporting me — don’t think of giving my vote to the President [Yoweri Museveni],” Akena said in a voice charged with emotion. 

Akena was addressing UPC flag-bearers from the regions of Lango, Acholi and Teso at a meeting held at his late father’s residence in Lira on November 8, 2025. Though locked out of the 2026 presidential race, he made it clear he would not bow out of Uganda’s political contest.

A battle for political justice

Flanked by his wife, Betty Amongi Ongom, also gender minister, Akena accused the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party of deliberately blocking his candidacy, calling it an attempt to silence opposition voices.

“I should have been the flag-bearer on the Congress ticket,” he said. “But up to this point, I am still in limbo. Rest assured, I will be with you every step of the way.”

In a fiery two-hour address, Akena dismissed the Government’s latest restocking pledge of five cattle per household in northern Uganda as “another empty political lie.”

“When you calculate the President’s new promise across Lango, Acholi, and Teso, it amounts to over eight million head of cattle worth trillions of shillings,” he said.

“Uganda doesn’t even have that number of cattle. Where will they come from? It’s a lie meant to escape the rightful compensation owed to our people.”

Cattle, dignity, and memory

The UPC leader invoked painful memories of the 1980s insurgency, recounting the loss of livestock and the humiliation northern communities endured.

“In my own case, they came to Akokoro on August 13, 1987. They took all our animals,” he said quietly. “Among those killed was my grandfather, Stanley Opeto, the father of Milton Obote. They mutilated his body and violated my grandmother. But I am still standing strong in Christ.”

To Akena, the cattle question is not about economics but dignity. “Cattle was our bank, our school fees, our health insurance, our pride. When we lost it, we lost a way of life,” he said, calling for justice and restitution, not 'political gimmicks'.

A call for truth and renewal

Akena’s speech mixed anger and hope, accusing NRM of hijacking UPC’s post-independence development legacy.

“They tell us to thank them for the Lira–Rwenkunye–Puranga road, yet that road was planned before they even left the bush,” he said to cheers. “Since 1986, it has been the same lies. Every election brings another.”

He challenged President Museveni to a public debate.  

Vision for a better Uganda

Beyond the political fire, Akena outlined a vision focused on reviving education, health, and veterinary systems. He said the UPC would rebuild the human capital base that once made Uganda the Pearl of Africa.

“In 1971, under UPC, Uganda had 2.5 hospital beds per 1,000 people — one of the highest in Africa,” he said. “Today, we have less than one per 1,000. How can a nation develop when its teachers and doctors are abandoned?”

He pledged to defend natural resources such as fisheries and forests from exploitation by foreign interests. 

“The government of Uganda must first take care of the people of Uganda,” he stressed.

Unbroken spirit

Despite political setbacks, Akena vowed to lead UPC into the 2026 elections. “Whether they want me on the ballot or not, I will lead from the front,” he said. “Uganda deserves better — and we must fight for it.”

For many in attendance, it was a moment of renewal,  a party reborn from struggle.

Flag-bearers speak

From Kalaki to Alebtong, UPC flag-bearers reaffirmed loyalty to Akena and pledged to carry the party’s message across Uganda.

Thomas Ochan, UPC flag-bearer for Kalaki district, said the winds of change were blowing.

“This is the right moment for all change-seeking forces,” he said. “We should not flinch or cower. The people are ready, and your message resonates deeply. If you were on the ballot in Kalaki, UPC would have trounced the NRM.”

Joyce Akeloi (Woman MP flag-bearer Kaberamaido), described Akena’s words as “the statement we were all waiting for.”

“For the sake of the revolution, this is the time,” she said. “We are not ready to bury Uganda. The party is not dead — we shall be your mouthpiece wherever you are not.”
She vowed to keep demanding Akena’s nomination: “Whatever it takes, we still want your ballot. You are the hope we need.”

In Alebtong, Caroline Aduku spoke through tears about the region’s trauma. 
“Many were killed, children raped, and women scattered. My father was a rich man, but now there’s nothing left,” she said.

“Come sunshine, come rain, I will preach your gospel. Whether you’re on the ballot or not, I will mobilise. The youth are ready, the women are ready, I am ready to die with UPC.”

Pauline Agayo (Kalaki), likened the campaign to “a real war.”

“We must display all tactics,” she said. “I’m ready to move door-to-door with the UPC manifesto. Let’s unite, pool resources, and speak one language, then we shall win.”
Sam Blick Okello (Kole North) made an emotional appeal. “My posters have been torn and I’m surrounded by powerful opponents,” he said. 

“But I’m not giving up. I want our President to come to Kole — we need to liberate that place together.”