UPC’s Akena calls for reconciliation, unity after court trashes case against him
Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) president Jimmy Akena, has called for reconciliation and unity in the party after Court of Appeal dismissed a contempt of Court application filed against him by a section of the party members allied to the Prof Edward Kakonge group.
In August 2020, Kakonge and his group sought to end Akena’s presidency, accusing him and the party’s electoral commission of contempt of court by convening a delegate’s conference where Akena was elected the party president.
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The application that was filed in the Court of Appeal contended that the UPC delegates conference held on August 1 offended the court order issued on July 29, which had stayed the function.
The group wanted the court to declare that any resolution and decision taken at the delegates conference including the election of the Party President should be null and void.
However this week, the court dismissed Kakonge’s application citing continued waste of the court’s time.
"…. We see no reason to continue wasting court’s time and hereby exercise the discretion of this court under Rule 2(2) of the Rules of Court to dismiss this Application for want of prosecution. In dismissing this application, we have acted pursuant to the inherent powers granted to this court under the said provision, to prevent abuse of the court process. The application, therefore, stands dismissed with no order as to costs," the court ruled.
With this dismissal, all decisions taken at the delegates conference stand.
Speaking to the media, Akena said the party belongs to members and their will, decisions and mandate through relevant party organs is paramount and should be respected.
“I therefore want to reassure you, party members that I will protect that mandate you gave me within my capacity as Party President and we move the Party forward. Now we need to come together in the spirit of reconciliation, unity and work for the Party at this material time where concerted efforts are most needed," he said.
