Lira, Uganda – The Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) has been thrown into fresh internal turmoil following the dramatic resignation of Acai Godwin, the party’s chairperson for Baza Parish in Lira City East Division.
Acai declared his intention to step down during a tense meeting convened by the UPC Lira City leadership on the April, 13, 2025 at Garden Inn Hotel on Sunday evening.
A seasoned mobilizer and early supporter of Jimmy Akena’s political ambitions, Acai recounted his long-standing contribution to the party, starting from 2006 when he championed Akena’s bid for Member of Parliament for Lira Municipality.
He also mobilized votes for key UPC candidates including Jacinto Ogwal in Otuke, Issa Otto in Oyam, Maxwell Akora in Apac, and Eunice Apio Otuku during the Oyam by-election.
He said he had suffered for UPC, including facing torture and threats to his life during the campaigns, but had never wavered in his commitment until now.
Acai stated that his decision to appear on Voice of Lango FM and speak critically about the party was not out of malice, but a response to the silence within UPC about issues that continue to affect its structure and credibility.
Among his key concerns was the party’s failure to respect its own 2008 constitution, which limits the tenure of the party president to ten years unless extended by virtue of being elected President of Uganda.
According to Acai, Jimmy Akena has overstayed his mandate and should acknowledge that his continued leadership is unconstitutional unless he is willing to return to the table and work collectively with the rest of the Congress team.
He further lamented that UPC had not called a national delegates conference in years, a breach of the constitution that requires such meetings to be held at least twice every five years.
He cited the party’s alliance with the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) as another serious setback, arguing that it has crippled their ability to mobilize and win support at the grassroots level.
Acai expressed disappointment in Minister Betty Amongi, the wife of Jimmy Akena, accusing her of stifling UPC’s independence and focus.
He said she never speaks about her husband’s presidential ambitions in her public rallies and instead emphasizes negotiations with the NRM, which suggests that Akena may not even stand for the presidency in 2026.
This, Acai said, is one of the reasons he cannot support Amongi anymore and that he would rather rally behind President Museveni and Minister Jane Ruth Aceng, whose development work he acknowledged.
The meeting saw strong reactions from party leaders and members in attendance.
Mzee Simon Opio, Chairperson of UPC Lira City, faulted Acai for choosing to expose the party’s internal weaknesses on radio rather than handling matters internally.
He said the purpose of the meeting was not to shame anyone but to strengthen the party ahead of the next political cycle.
He clarified that in the 2021 elections, UPC didn’t front a presidential candidate but the party is now planning to hold a national delegates conference in August, during which Jimmy Akena will be fronted as UPC’s presidential flag bearer for 2026.
Opio dismissed Acai’s assertions that Akena would not contest, stressing that nothing can stop him from running.
Akidi Norah, a delegate from Baza Parish, proposed that Acai be dismissed from the party with immediate effect, accusing him of misconduct and indiscipline for attacking UPC on a public platform.
She said that those who speak against the party publicly should not hold leadership roles within the party.
In response to this proposal, Acai declared that he would officially hand over office on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at Pacific Grand Hotel in the presence of the media.
He explained that the party doesn’t put food on his table and that he hadn’t been surviving because of the party.
His announcement triggered urgency within UPC leadership in Lira City with fast-tracking arrangements to hold elections on Monday to replace him.
The party has also made it clear that Acai should not conduct any business using the party’s name moving forward.
Odongo Odul, another UPC member, defended Akena’s leadership and stated that without Akena, the party wouldn’t be as strong as it is today.
He added that Acai’s resignation means he should be replaced by his vice, and an official handover process must be observed.
William Oyanga, also a vocal party mobilizer, suggested that the ongoing debate around Acai’s resignation should be allowed to run its course, since Acai might have already aligned himself with the NRM.
Oyanga encouraged members not to dwell too much on Acai’s departure, saying if he chooses to leave, they should let him go.
Mzee Simon Opio directed that the chairpersons of the two villages in Baza mobilize all delegates for a special sitting on Monday at 2:00 p.m. during which a new chairperson will be elected to replace Acai Godwin.
