Akena launches campaign to boost UPC flagbearers

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Jimmy Akena, the president of the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC), has embarked on a countrywide campaign trail to rally support for the party’s flagbearers, vowing to ensure their victory in the forthcoming 2026 general elections.

On Thursday, he was in Oyam district, where he met and campaigned for Members of Parliament Dr Eunice Otuko Apio (Oyam North), Santa Alum Ogwang (District Woman MP), and Owili Geoffrey (Oyam South).

Speaking at Acaba sub-county headquarters, Akena declared his determination to traverse the country to boost the chances of UPC candidates and prevent National Resistance Movement (NRM) contenders from returning to Parliament.

“We cannot surrender. I will traverse all corners of the country to make sure that all our candidates go through,” he said.

Akena claimed that individuals close to him were being intimidated to discourage their political ambitions.

Reflecting on his political journey, Akena said his early years in politics were marked by difficult decisions, especially during efforts to restore peace in northern Uganda when communities were displaced by the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) insurgency.

Akena walking to the stage at Acaba sub county in Oyam to campaign for Dr Apio on Thursday.

He recounted his perilous trip to Garamba Forest to meet LRA leader Joseph Kony, describing it as a risky mission undertaken for the sake of peace.

“We went because we wanted peace for the people of northern Uganda — a better life for our people. I was ready to lose my life for peace."

Akena, the son of former Ugandan President Apollo Milton Obote, said his vision has always been to build a united Uganda, but lamented that some people in leadership positions do not care about the welfare of ordinary citizens.

“As long as they have what they need, they don’t care what happens to everyone else. But UPC was not built on that. UPC was built on the foundation of helping the people of Uganda."

The UPC leader also praised the legacy of the UPC government, noting that many of the schools and hospitals built during the party’s earlier leadership still stand as symbols of service to the nation.

“Good schools and hospitals built by UPC still exist across Uganda, and we are proud of that legacy."

Dr Apio, who was nominated on the final day of nominations (Thursday), said this time UPC intends to “paint Oyam red” by electing more party members to leadership positions.

She expressed disappointment with the Independent Electoral Commission for refusing to nominate Akena to run for the presidency despite the party having allegedly fulfilled all requirements.

She also pledged to prioritise the improvement of road infrastructure, education, and the availability of essential drugs in health facilities, saying these remain major challenges affecting the people of Oyam.

MP Alum lauded Akena for coming to back them up, saying it will strengthen them.

She commended the people of Oyam for offering support to them, saying they should continue so that they can defeat their challengers in next year's general elections.