KAMPALA – The High Court of Uganda has issued an interim ex parte order halting the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) delegates’ conference scheduled for July 26, 2025, amid a continuing leadership dispute involving party president Jimmy Akena.
The order, granted by Hon. Lady Justice Joyce Kavuma, follows an urgent application by Joseph Pinytek Ochieno, who argues that Akena is unlawfully holding himself out as the UPC president, contrary to a pending legal matter (Misc. Cause No. 89 of 2021).
Represented by Mr. Katunguka Rodgers of M/s JByamukama & Co. Advocates, the applicant sought an interim injunction restraining Akena and the UPC from convening the conference or continuing with internal election processes until the main case is determined.
The court found that the application met the legal threshold for issuing an ex parte interim order: a pending substantive case, extreme urgency, a real and imminent threat, and good faith.
Justice Kavuma noted that “the applicant has demonstrated the urgency of this application… and if the 2nd respondent [Akena] is allowed to proceed with the delegates’ conference, it might be too late to avert the danger.”
The judge emphasized that the attempt to proceed with a virtual conference, despite a police advisory citing security concerns, underscored the risk of contempt and circumvention of existing court directives.
The interim order is valid for three days and restrains both UPC and Akena from holding the conference or any related election activities until July 29, 2025, when the main application is scheduled for hearing.
This case is the latest development in a protracted legal battle over the leadership of the UPC, dating back to a 2016 Court of Appeal ruling that ordered fresh party elections — which the applicant claims Akena did not participate in, leading to further controversy.
