The High Court in Kampala has issued an interim order stopping the extra-ordinary delegates conference by Uganda People’s Conference scheduled for tomorrow, Saturday.
Lady Justice Joyce Kavuma issued the exparte interim order on Friday blocking the UPC president Jimmy Akena, the party and any of their agents from convening the meeting.
“An interim exparte order is hereby issued for three days restraining the second and second Respondents, their agents, servants, or any one acting under their authority from convening either by physical or virtual, the extra-ordinary delegates’ conference scheduled for 26/07/2025 until the hearing of main application 0573-2025 scheduled for 29/07/2025,” Lady Justice Kavuma directed.
The interim order followed an application by veteran UPC member, Joseph Pinytek Ochieno, through his lawyer Rodgers Katunguka from J. Byamukama and Co.Advocates told court the Saturday delegates conference would undermine the case in court challenging Akena’s leadership.
Ochieno argued that in the 2016 case, the Court of Appeal had ordered fresh elections and Akena didn’t participate in the said elections that were won by Peter Walubiri.
He said it illegal for Akena to continue holding out as the UPC president following the elections which Walubiri won.
In his application, Ochieno told court that allowing Saturday’s extra-ordinary delegates conference would have an effect on the main case.
In her ruling, Lady Justice Kavuma said it is a matter of urgency that tomorrow’s delegates conference is halted.
“I find that counsel for the applicant(Ochieno) has demonstrated the urgent nature of this application which is to restrain the delegate conference called by the 2nd respondent from proceeding until the main application is heard,” the judge ruled.
According to the judge, the application by Ochieno was filed without any delay considering the circumstances that led to the call of the delegates conference.
“For the above reasons. I find that the applicant has proved there exist exceptional circumstances for the grant of this application. Accordingly. this application is hereby granted.”
The development is yet another development in the UPC power struggle.