UPC Leaders Reject Disciplinary Hearing as Lango Party Dispute Deepens

Four senior members of the Uganda Peoples Congress (UPC) have rejected a disciplinary hearing convened by the party's National Disciplinary Committee, arguing that their support for President Yoweri Museveni and cooperation with the National Resistance Movement (NRM) should not be treated as misconduct.

The dispute has added to growing tensions within the UPC following the 2026 general elections and has attracted attention in Lango, where the party has traditionally maintained a strong political presence.

The affected members were summoned to appear before the party's disciplinary committee in connection with their political activities and alleged conduct contrary to the party's position.

Members challenge the disciplinary process

The UPC members declined to appear before the disciplinary panel and instead addressed the matter publicly in Lira City.

They maintained that their political engagement with the NRM was based on what they considered to be the interests of their constituents and the wider Lango community.

The members questioned the basis of disciplinary action against them, arguing that their political decisions should not automatically be interpreted as disloyalty to the party.

Their decision not to appear before the committee has now created another point of disagreement between the affected members and the UPC leadership.

Party says disciplinary process will continue

UPC leadership has maintained that the National Disciplinary Committee is an independent organ of the party established to handle complaints involving party members.

The party has said the committee will follow its established procedures before communicating its findings.

The leadership has also indicated that the disciplinary process is intended to address complaints against members in accordance with the party's internal rules.

Dispute draws attention in Lango

The disagreement comes at a politically sensitive period for Lango following the 2026 general elections.

UPC and NRM remain major political forces in the sub-region, and the relationship between individual leaders and their respective parties continues to attract significant public interest.

The current dispute could further expose differences within UPC over how members should conduct themselves when dealing with political opponents and government.

For residents of Lango, the disagreement has also raised broader questions about party discipline, political freedom and the responsibility of elected leaders to represent their constituents.

Awaiting disciplinary committee decision

The UPC National Disciplinary Committee is expected to determine the next course of action regarding the members who did not attend the hearing.

Party officials have said the outcome of the proceedings will be communicated through the appropriate party structures.

The affected members, meanwhile, continue to defend their political position and maintain that their actions were taken in the interest of their constituents.

The dispute remains an internal party matter, with further developments expected as the UPC disciplinary process proceeds.