The High Court in Kampala has blocked Jimmy James Michael Akena’s bid for a third term as president of the Uganda Peoples Congress (UPC) party, declaring his 2025 nomination “illegal, void and of no legal consequence.”

Justice Bernard Namanya ruled Friday that the UPC party constitution limits the presidency to two terms, with exceptions not applicable to Akena. The ruling effectively removes him from the ongoing party election for the 2025–2030 term.

“The nomination of Hon. Jimmy James Michael Akena for the office of party president of the Uganda Peoples Congress (UPC) for the period 2025 to 2030 is illegal and therefore null and void,” Justice Namanya stated.

The court also ordered each party to bear its own costs to promote reconciliation, invoking Article 126(2)(d) of Uganda’s Constitution, which promotes alternative dispute resolution.

The case stemmed from a challenge by Dennis Adim Enap, a UPC member and fellow contender, who argued Akena’s nomination violated Article 14.1(3) of the UPC constitution. This article limits party presidents to two terms, allowing a third only if the incumbent wins a national presidential election during their second term — a feat Akena has not achieved.

The court agreed with Enap that Akena had served two full terms: 2015–2020 and 2020–2025.

A key factor in the ruling was a 2020 Court of Appeal decision. That decision found that although Akena’s initial 2015 election was quashed by the High Court, he continued to serve under an interim order and completed the full five-year term.

Justice Namanya referenced a judgment by Justice Irene Mulyagonja, who had previously noted that Akena “continues to execute the duties of the President of the party, albeit resulting from an illegal process which was quashed in 2015.”

“As of today, Hon. Jimmy James Michael Akena has served two terms as party president of UPC,” Justice Namanya affirmed, emphasizing that his new nomination breached the party’s constitutional term limits.

The High Court issued three main orders: nullifying Akena’s 2025–2030 nomination, quashing the UPC’s decision to nominate him, and issuing an injunction preventing further nomination of Akena for the said period.

The ruling is expected to significantly impact the UPC’s leadership. Akena, son of party founder Dr. Apollo Milton Obote, has held control of the party for a decade.