By Ouni Jaspher
KAMPALA – The Uganda People’s Congress, UPC, Parliamentary Committee has rejected a decision by the Patriotic League of Uganda, PLU, to oust party president Jimmy James Michael Akena Obote and install Dennis Adim Enap in his place.
The rift came to the public on Wednesday when PLU leadership, at a hastily-convened news conference at their Nakasero offices, announced plans to facilitate Enap’s takeover of Uganda House.
Hon. Michael Mawanda, who serves as Head of Mobilization for PLU, said they had been instructed to make necessary arrangements to ensure that Enap, a former Personal Assistant to Akena, “is aided, supported and enabled to assume office at Uganda House.”
Mawanda described PLU as a civic organization that is “always prepared to support and facilitate the legitimate leaders of political parties to take their rightful places.”
He added that Enap is the “legitimate UPC President under the laws of Uganda and the UPC Constitution” and that PLU would ensure he has “unlimited access to Uganda House and safely takes over office as the rightful President of UPC.” PLU did not reveal who gave the directive.
In response, UPC Members of Parliament on Monday held a media briefing in Kampala to reaffirm Akena’s leadership.
UPC Party Whip and Oyam North MP, Eunice Apio Otuko, said the party still recognizes Jimmy James Michael Akena Obote as the legitimate president.
“Article 13 of the UPC party constitution gives directive on how to become a party president, not as other people are purportedly saying on social media,” Apio said.
Dokolo South MP Vincent Opito said there are laid-down processes that must be followed for anyone to become party president.
“In Lango tradition, a mother of twins remains a housewife even if she is not beautiful, but a beautiful lady who is so proud of herself may not be a housewife after she fails to deliver,” Opito said.
According to him, Akena played a big role in helping them through the 2026 Parliamentary elections and they still recognize him as UPC president.
Maruzi County MP Peter Obong Acuda rallied UPC followers to respect Akena’s leadership.
“As UPC party leaders, we don’t resist that UPC shouldn’t change leadership, but the mandate must lie in the hands of UPC supporters, not any pressure group or other political parties,” Acuda said.
Kwania District Woman MP Kenny Auma also said they believe in Akena because “he helped them.” She noted that the UPC Parliamentary Committee has rejected PLU’s decision, saying it is contrary to the party constitution.
Janet Auma Okao warned those “portraying a bad image of UPC” to stop.
“UPC is a big party that must be respected. Having served two times as the ruling party, UPC must be accorded respect,” she said.
She further said those “looking for money from somewhere should not use the name of UPC party.”
Following, careful deliberation, the Committee unanimously resolves as follow:
1. The UPC Party Parliamentary Committee reaffirms and recognizes Hon.Jimmy Akena as the legitimate and incumbent President of the UgandaPeople’s Congress in accordance with Article 13 of the UPC Constitution.
The committee further acknowledges his steadfast leadership andcommitment to the Party. including the guidance and support he providedto party structures and candidates during the last general elections.
2. The Committee categorically rejects and dissociates itself from thepronouncements made by the officials of the Patriotic League of Uganda(PLU) purporting to remove the legitimate leadership of UPC and imposeother persons as leaders of the party. Such actions are unconstitutional,unlawful and of no legal effect.
3. Article 13 of the UPC Constitution and Secetion l0 of the Political Parties andSection 10 of the Political Party and Organizations Act, 2005, affirms theautonomy of political parties to organize and manage their internal affairsin accordance with their constitutions and the laws of Uganda.,Accordingtly. the leadership of the Uganda People’s Congress can only beconstituted, elected or changed through the procedures prescribed underthe UPC constitution.
4. The Committee further affims that, under Article 13 of the UPC Constitution,only the incumbent Party President has the constitutional mandale toconvene a Delegates’ Conference for the purpose of electing Parlyleadership. Consequently, any attempt to proclaim, appoint, impose orinstall Party leadership outside the constitutional processes of the UPC, isunconstitutional, invalid and of no legal effect.
5. No individual. pressure group, political association or extenal organisationhas the authority to oppoint or impose the leadersthip of the UgandaPeople’s Congress. The afais of the Partly shall be conducted solely inaccordance with its Constitution and the laws of Uganda.
6. Accordingly. the UPC Parliamentary Caucus does not tecognise and willnot recognise, any purpoted leadership imposed upon the Party by a thidpaty or by persons acting outside the constitutional tramewok of the Paty.We call upon all Party members, suppoters, well-wishes and the genenalpublic to distegard such claims.,
7. We calupon all UPC members to remain united and to pursue any polticalaspiations or gievances thiough the lawtul democratic mechanisnsestabished under the UPC Constitution, and the Poltical Parties ndOrganizations Act 2005.,
8. We further call upon all individuals. oganisations, institutions and al amsof Government to respect the constitulional rights, independence, visienand mision of the Uganda People’s Congress, just as UPC tespects theautonomy and constitutional mandates of other constitutionalyestablished institutions.
