By our reporter,
KAMPALA,
Confusion and tension gripped Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) headquarters at Uganda House yesterday after senior party members, including Members of Parliament and the Secretary-General, were locked out ahead of a scheduled press briefing by party president Jimmy Akena. Journalists were also denied entry as security officers sealed off the building.
Fred Ebil, the party’s secretary-general, told reporters outside the building that “unknown people” had threatened to invade the office.
“There were some people threatening to invade the office, our office,” Ebil said. “I don’t know them. I’ve not been well briefed, but security has taken over the situation.”
The lockdown comes against the backdrop of deepening divisions within the UPC, one of Uganda’s oldest political parties. The organisation is currently torn between three rival factions led by Akena, Denis Adim Enap and Peter Walubiri. Their competing claims to legitimacy have thrown the party into disarray, with the Electoral Commission declining to nominate a presidential candidate under the UPC banner for the 2026 elections.
Members aligned to Enap insist that Akena’s mandate has expired and that he should vacate office. “As we speak now, we have a new president in the name of Denis Adim Enap, who is on his way to come here and address you at the party headquarters,” said one official from Enap’s camp.
“Therefore, Akena should simply hand over to the new president. That is the reason why the Electoral Commission declined to nominate him to contest as a flag bearer.”
After a long scuffle, a few Journalists and party members were allowed in while others remained locked outside.
The leadership wrangles have paralysed UPC at a time when opposition parties are seeking to build momentum ahead of the 2026 general elections. Analysts warn that unless the party resolves its internal crisis, it risks fading further from Uganda’s political scene.
By press time, Akena was inside Uganda House addressing the on what he described as the ongoing “internal matters” of the party.
