The High Court Civil Division in Kampala has issued an interim order halting the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) Delegates Conference that was scheduled to take place on Saturday, July 26, 2025.
The order, issued by Lady Justice Joyce Kavuma on Friday, followed an urgent application by veteran UPC member Joseph Pinytek Ochieno, who is challenging the legitimacy of Jimmy Akena as the party’s president.
Ochieno, through his lawyers from JByamukama & Co. Advocates, argued that allowing the conference to proceed would undermine pending judicial proceedings and create irreversible consequences within the party. His legal team pointed to an unresolved application—Miscellaneous Cause No. 89 of 2021—where Ochieno contests Akena’s authority to lead the party.
The dispute traces back to a 2020 Court of Appeal decision directing UPC to conduct fresh internal presidential elections. According to Ochieno, Akena did not take part in those elections, and Peter Walubiri was declared the rightful winner. The pending application seeks to nullify Akena’s hold on the presidency, and Ochieno now contends that Akena has no legal basis to convene a Delegates Conference or conduct internal elections.
Ochieno’s lawyers told court that despite the Inspector General of Police advising against the conference due to security concerns, Akena had informed the Electoral Commission of plans to proceed with the event virtually. They described this as a blatant act of defiance and abuse of court process.
Fred Busingye, representing Akena, did not contest the application and admitted that his client had disregarded previous court orders—an admission that bolstered Ochieno’s case.
In her ruling, Justice Kavuma emphasized the urgency of the matter, citing the imminent threat posed by the planned conference and the likelihood of irreversible actions being taken during the event.
“The application was filed without inordinate delay, and I am satisfied that it was brought in good faith. If this order is not granted, the core issue in the main application may be rendered moot,” she ruled.
The court has scheduled a hearing of the substantive matter for July 29, 2025, and ordered that no UPC internal electoral activities take place until a final determination is made.
This decision marks another significant moment in the ongoing leadership battles within Uganda’s oldest political party, with key figures now forced to await a court resolution before taking further steps.
