Breaking News: High Court Upholds EC Decision Blocking Akena from 2026 Presidential Race
Kampala, Wednesday – The High Court in Kampala has upheld the Electoral Commission’s (EC) decision to block Jimmy James Michael Akena from being nominated as the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) presidential candidate for the 2026 general elections.
In a ruling delivered today, Justice Bernard Namanya said the matter had been overtaken by events, with the presidential nomination process now closed.
“It is practically impossible for this court to order the Electoral Commission to nominate Hon. Jimmy James Michael Akena… because the nomination exercise is already closed,” he stated.
Justice Namanya further ruled that accommodating Akena’s candidature would not serve public interest and highlighted serious legal questions surrounding his eligibility, based on previous EC findings and court decisions.
The EC had argued that Akena’s mandate as UPC president expired on August 1, 2025, making him ineligible to stand as the party’s flag bearer. The Commission based its decision on internal party disputes and multiple court rulings, including a 2016 case and fresh petitions from senior UPC members like Joseph Ochieno, Peter Walubiri, and Denis Adim Enap.
While the judge issued an interim order restraining the EC from dissolving the UPC executive committee—allowing it to field candidates for other positions—he clarified that this did not reverse Akena’s disqualification from the presidential race.
The injunction remains in place pending resolution of High Court Misc. Application No. 823 of 2025: UPC & Akena v. Electoral Commission.
EC spokesperson Julius Mucunguzi confirmed receipt of the ruling and said the Commission will announce its next steps in due course.
Akena and UPC had sought an injunction under Section 98 of the Civil Procedure Act, insisting he retained leadership authority within the party and was therefore eligible to contest.
