The Uganda People’s Congress is considering constitutional changes that would require anyone seeking the party presidency to have served in top leadership structures for at least 10 years.
The proposal emerged during a National Council meeting attended by more than 500 delegates on Saturday.
Delegates said repeated leadership disputes have damaged the party’s image and weakened its internal operations.
If approved by the National Delegates’ Conference, the amendment would introduce a new qualification for UPC presidential aspirants.
Currently, candidates must secure support from at least one-third of Uganda’s districts. They must also campaign nationally and pay a Shs20 million nomination fee.
Akena Says UPC Must Close Leadership Loopholes
UPC President Jimmy Akena told delegates that the party must close constitutional gaps that have fueled internal fights.
He said some individuals without enough grounding in party structures had used the existing rules to challenge established leadership.
“I am the one who moved a motion that a party president must garner support from one-third of the districts before appearing before delegates, and I have done that. We don’t just wake up and say, ‘I am president’,” Akena said.
He added that the recurring leadership disputes had distracted the party from its work.
“We have been disorganised by this very unnecessary issue. We must address any constitutional hurdle which prevents the party from being effective,” Akena said.
UPC Deputy President Backs 10-Year Requirement
UPC Deputy President Fahad Mutenderwa Kinyiri said the party presidency should be reserved for leaders who have gone through ideological mentorship.
He said presidential candidates should also have experience within the party’s top structures.
“I am appealing to the National Council to consider that any person given leadership has passed through proper ideological mentorship. When you want to contest for the position of party president, you must have been a member of the top management for the last 10 years,” Kinyiri said.
He argued that money alone should not qualify anyone to contest for the party’s highest office.
“One should not come from nowhere and contest simply because they have Shs20 million. That should not be tolerated,” he added.
Delegates Approve Nationwide Consultations
Delegates approved a proposal allowing Akena to conduct nationwide consultations on three major issues.
These include leadership reforms within UPC, measures to protect the party from internal divisions, and possible engagement with other political parties.
The proposed amendment could affect some of Akena’s long-time rivals.
They include former personal assistant Dennis Enap Adim and constitutional lawyer Peter Walubiri, both of whom have challenged his leadership in recent years.
Enap previously sought to contest for the UPC presidency. However, he was disqualified after signing nomination forms indicating he was an unopposed candidate, contrary to party electoral guidelines.
He later challenged Akena’s nomination in court. Enap argued that Akena had completed the maximum tenure allowed under the UPC constitution and could not legally seek another term.
Court Battles Disrupt UPC Processes
The dispute triggered a series of court battles that disrupted UPC’s internal processes.
The High Court halted electoral activities in the party pending determination of the case.
The Electoral Commission later suspended presidential nominations involving Akena, Enap and Walubiri.
Despite the court dispute, Akena convened an extraordinary delegates’ conference on July 26, 2025, where delegates extended his leadership.
Enap maintains that the conference and its resolutions were unlawful because they were held despite existing court orders.
The dispute later escalated after a court decision nullified the extension and restrained Akena from acting as party president pending final determination of the case.
Enap subsequently declared himself UPC president. On June 4, he announced a new list of party leaders for the party’s 14 sub-regions.
Many delegates at Saturday’s meeting cited such parallel leadership activities as proof that UPC needs stricter presidential eligibility rules.
UPC Wants Internal Disputes Settled First
Akena told delegates that UPC leadership can only be attained through election by party delegates.
He said no member can become party president through self-proclamation.
The National Council also supported proposals requiring members to first exhaust internal dispute resolution mechanisms before taking party matters to court.
The proposed constitutional amendments will now be subjected to consultations across the country.
They will later be presented to the National Delegates’ Conference for final approval.
