By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
KAMPALA
UPC president, Hon. James Jimmy Akena has come out in the open to scold individuals opposed to his presidency in the party.
Akena says he is here to stay and shared ambitious plans to ensure that the spirit and relevance of UPC remains forever in national politics.
He was addressing journalists on the decision by the supreme court which dismissed the UPC appeal seeking to annual the order of the constitutional court which nullified his presidency and ordered for fresh elections.
On Friday (October 13), five justices of the supreme court led by the Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny Dollo, Faith Mwondha, Prof Tbatemwa- Ekirikubinza, Percy Tuhaise and Mike Chibita ruled that Akena is illegally occupying the office as the president of UPC and ordered for an election. According to the judgement, there is no right of appeal to the court from the interlocutory orders of the Court of Appeal.
“It can therefore be concluded that the Court of Appeal’s decision in interlocutory matters is final and not subject to appeal.”
But, Akena said on Monday (October 16) that he is strong that UPC is going nowhere. He insists on being a legitimate leader of the party because he was duly re-elected during a delegates conference.
“I must stress here that Judicial Review doesn’t look at the merit but some circumstances. It doesn’t look at the why and causes of the underlying issue. It’s a different form of litigation,” Akena said.
He asked party members to change the posts from court decision to now focusing on the 2026 elections.
“I am calling upon all UPC members to continue with the mobilisation for the upcoming elections and also to heighten our preparations and mobilisation for the 2026 general election,” he urged.
Akena said UPC will hold a meeting with members of the National Council to deliberate and set into motion clear activities for the 2026 elections.
