UPC Party President Jimmy Akena has declared his intention to run for the presidency in 2026 during a consultation meeting in the Kigezi sub-region, where he engaged with party leaders from Kabale, Rukiga, and Rubanda districts.
Accompanied by party officials including Fred Ebil, the Secretary-General, Michael Orach, the Principal Public Relations Officer, and MPs Sarah Aguti Dokolo and Apio Otuko, Akena held a rally in Kabale town and inaugurated UPC’s regional offices along Makanga Road.
The last time UPC fielded a presidential candidate was in the 2011 elections under then-party president Olara Otunnu. Before him, Akena’s mother, Miria Kalule Obote, became the first woman in Uganda to contest the presidency in the 2006 polls.
Addressing party supporters, Akena emphasized his vision for improved services under UPC leadership, citing his extensive experience in Ugandan politics and understanding of the political landscape. He highlighted UPC’s recent success in winning two by-elections and assured supporters of the party’s capability to protect votes.
Responding to questions about UPC’s neglect of the Kigezi sub-region, traditionally a stronghold for the party, Akena acknowledged challenges and attacks on party leaders, leading to a decline in support. He affirmed the party’s commitment to revitalizing its presence in the region, signaling a restart, reorganization, and efforts to regain support.
Akena’s pursuit of the presidency within a party perceived to have aligned with the ruling NRM raised questions, but he did not directly address this paradox, focusing instead on UPC’s readiness to fully engage in the 2026 elections.
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