Court rules Akena's bid for UPC presidency illegal, bars him from elections

A Kampala High Court judge struck down Jimmy James Michael Akena's bid for a third presidential term within the Uganda Peoples Congress party structure. Justice Bernard Namanya ruled on July 18 that the nomination violated constitutional term limits after Dennis Adim Enap challenged the decision through judicial review. The UPC constitution restricts party presidents to two consecutive five-year periods, which Akena completed between 2015 and 2025 despite legal disputes surrounding his initial election. The court determined that Akena served his complete first term even though earlier judicial proceedings had questioned the validity of that election process. This decision blocks Akena from future nominations and creates opportunities for alternative leadership candidates before Uganda's 2026 national elections.