UPC plans to paint Lango red in 2026

Uganda People's Congress (UPC) has announced a campaign to reclaim key political positions in Lango Sub-region.

This development comes as the party president, Jimmy Akena, prepares to transition from representing Lira City East Division in the 11th parliament to running for the presidency in the 2026 elections.

The party's mobilization efforts have sparked political shifts, with members from the National Resistance Movement (NRM) and Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) defecting to join the UPC.

Akena says the party is preparing to restore its influence in the country and face off with different political parties in the 2026 general elections.

“At this stage, we are preparing for the 2026 general election. We have started our mobilisation early, and we are going to continue. At this pace, our intention as Uganda People’s Congress is to be 100 percent ready by the time we enter the campaign,” says UPC’s Akena.

“ I intend to make Lango completely red. It is simple I just intend to win. So, I am putting all other parties on notice that UPC will be challenging in all positions, and we intend to win them.”

Last week, the Electoral Commission kicked off the 2026 electoral exercise with the demarcation of constituencies, electoral areas, and reorganising polling stations ahead of the 2026 general election.

In Lira City, UPC's mobilization exercise has been marked by a series of grassroots activities that the party leaders believe will strengthen the party's presence and support base.

Party officials have been conducting meetings and community engagements.

The party's mobilization efforts have sparked political shifts, with members from the National Resistance Movement (NRM) and Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) defecting to join UPC.

James Ocen, who contested against the UPC party president for the Lira City West Division MP seat in the previous election, says that the party could create a wave that will change the political landscape in Northern Uganda.

“The reason why I have decided to join the UPC party is that the party does not involve itself in fights with other political parties in the country. It’s a clean party,” says Ocen.

Vincent Ocen, the LC1 chairperson for Opwo-akere B cell in Lira City, said he decided to leave his party, NRM, after witnessing the recent political activities of UPC.

“I contested under the NRM and currently serving as the LC1 chairperson. For my people still in the NRM party, the storm is coming. As leaders, we always follow how things are unfolding,” says Ocen.

Akena's decision to run for the presidency is considered a shift in his political career. Having served as a Member of Parliament since 2006, Akena now aims to leave Lira City East Division for his party subscribers to battle with other parties