Lira, Uganda | Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) President Jimmy Akena Obote has launched his party’s 2026–2031 manifesto in Lira City, pressing ahead with his political agenda despite being blocked from the presidential ballot.
The manifesto unveiling, held on Saturday at Akena’s residence in Senior Quarters, was attended by several senior party officials, including Kole South MP Peter Ocen Akalo, Gender Minister Betty Amongi Akena, Maruzi County’s Lemba Okello, and UPC Secretary General Fred Ebil Ebil, among many others.
In his address to party members and supporters, Akena criticised the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) for what he described as a failure to deliver on its promises and for presiding over a collapsing health system.
He argued that Uganda’s health sector had deteriorated due to poor planning and neglect, leading many doctors to seek employment abroad, particularly in countries such as Papua New Guinea.
He added that the exodus of skilled medical workers was evidence of a government that no longer valued professionals or understood their challenges.
Akena also dismissed President Museveni’s proposal to compensate northern households with five heads of cattle each, saying the plan was unrealistic.
Referring to the 2014 census, he pointed out that the combined households in Acholi, Lango, and Teso subregions amounted to about 163,000, implying that the government would need over 800,000 cows to meet its promise.
He said this demonstrated that the proposal was another hollow pledge meant to attract votes.
In a bold political move, Akena challenged President Museveni to a public debate, saying such a dialogue would reveal the inconsistencies between the president’s 1986 promises and the present realities, while highlighting the alternative programs UPC had proposed in 1985.
“Those who wanted to vote for me, please keep my votes. Don’t give them to Museveni,” Akena told UPC flag bearers, reaffirming his position as the party’s ideological torchbearer.
Despite being excluded from the presidential race, Akena vowed to rebuild the party from the grassroots level, encouraging supporters to focus on recruitment and mobilisation. H
e said UPC’s renewed campaign was anchored on the principles of truth, equality, and national renewal.
Today’s manifesto launch underscored UPC’s determination to reclaim its political space ahead of the 2026 general elections, positioning itself as a credible opposition force against the long-serving NRM government.