The Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) is slowly regaining its footing in the Lango Sub-region, with party president Jimmy Akena expressing renewed optimism following a strong turnout in the just-concluded grassroots elections.
Akena revealed that over 285,000 people participated in the internal party polls held in Lango, a region long considered the UPC’s traditional stronghold.
He said the milestone reflects growing confidence in the party’s base and offers momentum as it prepares for the 2026 general elections.
“We are aware of our limitations, especially in terms of resources, so we are concentrating our efforts where our support is strongest, Lango remains our stronghold, and we intend to deepen that grip before spreading to other regions.” Aken noted.
While acknowledging that the party is yet to match the nationwide visibility of political giants like the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), Akena said UPC is quietly rebuilding and positioning itself for a comeback.
The UPC leader noted that although the party ideally would have expanded to other areas by now, current realities have led them to consolidate their presence in Lango before making broader inroads.
He added that despite the NRM boasting wide national support, UPC’s ongoing mobilisation will pose serious competition in the Lango region.
“With the energy and numbers we’ve seen on the ground, the NRM will not find it easy in Lango this time,” Akena asserted.
UPC currently holds 11 parliamentary seats and is strategizing to retain and expand its influence. While the party may not be dominating headlines in the ongoing political season, Akena stressed that “a lot is going on beneath the surface.”
He remains hopeful that UPC, being a national party, will regain a broader presence in the coming months as it intensifies mobilisation efforts across the country.