UPC President (in white shirt) standing with some of the converts in Kitgum Municipality. Photos by Denis Opoka
By Denis Opoka
Kitgum: The President of the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) party, Jimmy Akena, on Friday officially welcomed Bob William Labeja, the former Resident District Commissioner (RDC) to the party amidst jubilation among supporters and party leaders.
Bob Williams Labeja, who previously served as the RDC of Nebbi, Moyo, and Nakapiripirit until the 2022 reshuffle, defected to the UPC party along with Reagan Nokrach, the Kitgum Municipal Speaker, and four other individuals from the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).
The UPC President, accompanied by Fred Ebil, the party secretary-general, Apio Otuko, Oyam North MP, Sarah Aguti, Dokolo woman MP, among others, were in Kitgum for a consultative meeting with party leaders from Acholi sub-region as part of his bid to contest the 2026 presidential election.
Welcoming the defectors at Christ the King playground in Kitgum Municipality, Akena, who is also the son of Milton Apollo Obote, the two-time president of Uganda and the founder of the UPC party, expressed his honor in welcoming the defectors to the party.
“You have made the right decision to come back to the Uganda People’s Congress Party because it is the party that stands for the common goal of the people of Uganda, and I am hopeful that in the coming 2026 election, we are going to win,” Akena stated.
Akena also disclosed that as a congressman, he will fight for quality education for all children in Uganda, regardless of their background once elected president in the 2026 general election.
Labeja, one of the converts, revealed that he decided to join UPC because it was the party to which his late father belonged, and the only party that could improve the lives of Ugandans.
“My father was a staunch supporter of the Uganda People’s Congress, and I can’t let his support just die like that. It is only in this party where there is no segregation,” Labeja revealed.
Labeja also declared his intention to contest for Kitgum District Chairperson in the 2026 general elections on a UPC ticket.
Apollo Milton Oola, the Kitgum Municipal UPC chairperson, asked the converts to go fetch more members from the ruling NRM party to UPC since it is a party for everybody.
“We at UPC welcome anyone who wishes to join us because most of our parents were UPC supporters. Why are we deviating from that? Oola questioned.
Ayella Jimmy George, the NRM party Kitgum District Chairperson, wished the converts good luck, stating that Uganda is in a multi-party system where anyone can join any party if they see an opportunity.
“It is an individual decision that will not adversely affect the party in any way, as we have a considerable number of members. Furthermore, it is not a violation for anyone to join any political party,” Ayella said.
Akena also used the opportunity to pay tribute to the late Dr. Matthew Lukwiya, the former medical director of St. Mary’s Lacor in Gulu, who succumbed to the Ebola virus in December 2000, after contracting it while treating infected patients.
He praised Dr. Lukwiya as a true hero, exemplifying the spirit of the UPC party.
“In his capacity as a medical professional, he possessed the necessary equipment. However, recognizing the inadequate supply of equipment available to the nurses with whom he collaborated, he exercised leadership by choosing to relinquish his equipment in favor of providing for the nurses,” Akena recounted.
Akena, who also serves as the Member of Parliament for Lira City Division, stated that this spirit represents the true dedication that a congressman should have in executing their duties to the people.
