Uganda People's Congress (UPC) President General Jimmy Akena has accused the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) of interfering in past elections, describing such involvement as unlawful and a threat to democratic governance.
Speaking to journalists at UPC headquarters in Kampala, Akena alleged that military influence distorted electoral outcomes in some regions, particularly in Lira.
He argued that in certain cases, results seemed to reflect the position of the army rather than the will of the voters.
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"The involvement of the army in elections is illegal under Ugandan law," Akena said. "In places like Lira, the outcomes did not reflect the voice of the people but rather decisions influenced by the military."
Akena also rejected long-standing accusations that former President Dr. Milton Obote manipulated elections during his tenure.
He insisted that Obote's legacy should be reassessed and cleared of what he described as "unfair political blame."
"History must be corrected. The narrative that Obote rigged elections should be reviewed objectively," he stated.
The UPC leader criticised the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, urging him to exercise restraint and responsibility in his public communications, particularly on social media.
Akena stressed that holding a senior military position while being the son of the sitting President requires mature conduct.
"Being the son of the President comes with added responsibility. You must be careful about what you post or say," Akena remarked.
"The leadership role you aspire to demands maturity." He added that he will continue speaking out on national issues and will not be intimidated into silence.
On internal party matters, Akena acknowledged that he had previously been blocked by the Electoral Commission from contesting as UPC's presidential flagbearer due to leadership disputes within the party.
Despite these setbacks, he affirmed his commitment to strengthening UPC and promoting democratic values.
"We have faced internal challenges, but our commitment to a united and democratic Uganda remains firm," he said.
Akena called on Ugandans to actively defend democratic principles, warning that failure to do so could destabilise the country.
"Without democracy, the country risks collapse. Many people are afraid to speak out, but leadership requires courage," he stated, urging citizens to join UPC in advocating for accountable governance.
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He also reaffirmed UPC's participation in the Inter-Party Organisation for Dialogue (IPOD), noting that the platform brings together political parties represented in Parliament to foster dialogue and national cohesion.
