Why doesn't android client upload existing pictures?

I can only guess… From my point of view it is too late for the next stable, feature release (3.3.0) since that one is close to going into the RC phase end of August. So with the typical 2 month release cycle for feature releases it might then be part of 3.4.0 with has its RC phase around beginning of November, so mid of November if you are waiting for the stable release, beginning of November in case of the RCs (if you registered as a tester in the play store).
Fastest way would be to simultaneously install the Dev version available via f-droid where it will be available in the nightly build the day after the feature has been integrated with the actual development verion (as-in PR merged).