The Political Parties Disputes Tribunal has barred the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties from registering or gazetting the Wiper Democratic Movement under the name The Ukombozi Alliance, halting the party’s proposed rebrand while a challenge to the name’s reservation is determined.

Tribunal chair Innocent Muganda certified the application as urgent and issued the interim orders on Tuesday, October 13, 2026. The orders restrain the Registrar, its officers and agents from approving, registering, gazetting or taking any other administrative step towards registering Wiper under the disputed name. They will remain in force pending the hearing and determination of the application.

The dispute traces back to July 20, 2026, when the name The Ukombozi Alliance (TUA) was reserved. Allan Jayuga Akivaga is challenging that reservation through a notice of motion and appeal dated October 8, 2026.

Under directions issued with the orders, Akivaga was required to serve both documents on the Registrar and Wiper by Wednesday, October 14. The two respondents then have seven days from the date of service to file and serve their responses. Akivaga may file a supplementary affidavit within four days of receiving those responses, should one be necessary.

The matter returns to the Tribunal on October 29, 2026, at 2:30 pm for confirmation of compliance and further directions.

The orders are interim. The Tribunal has not heard arguments on whether the challenge to the name reservation has merit, and the Registrar and Wiper will have an opportunity to respond before any further directions are given. The research material does not state the grounds on which Akivaga is contesting the reservation.

The disputed identity has drawn political interest as parties position themselves ahead of the 2027 General Election. Wiper is led by Kalonzo Musyoka. The Ukombozi Alliance and Linda Mwananchi Movement have also featured in the wider political discussion around the name.

Tuesday’s intervention means the registration and gazettement process cannot be completed while the orders stand. It does not resolve the underlying dispute, which remains before the Tribunal.