By Hannah Marion Namukasa
High Court Judge Musa Ssekaana has dismissed with costs an application filed by Abubaker Lubowa and four others against Uganda Journalists Association UJA, its President Mathias Rukundo and Secretary General Emmanuel Kirunda challenging the decision to eliminate them from various elective positions of the association for lack of required qualifications.
In an application filed by Abubaker Lubowa, Zambali Bulasio Mukasa, Emmanuel Nkata, Hasifu Sekiwungu and Martin Kimbowa they challenged the decision of UJA, its president and secretary general Matthias Rukundo and Emmanuel Kirunda respectively of barring, stopping, eliminating and ejecting the applicants from standing as candidates for elective positions in UJA 2023 elections citing lack of required qualifications. However court concurred with the respondents thus found no merit in the applicant’s grounds.
Judge Musa Ssekaana in his decision shared to parties via email also dismissed the ground for judicial review saying that UJA is not a public organization as the applicants had asserted.
“In the circumstance the 1st respondent [UJA] is not a public body and cannot be susceptible to judicial review. The application would fail on this ground alone. It is dismissed with costs to the respondents.” Reads the ruling in parts
The Judge further said that the applicants erroneously obtained a temporary injunction against the respondents in conducting their affairs or electing office bearers in accordance with their constitution and they should compensate the respondents under section 65 of the Civil procedure Act.
Speaking to Uganda Journalists Association spokesperson Kabuye Ronald, he welcomed the ruling saying that they are going to study it as the executive committee and their lawyers and will inform the public on the way forward.
Kabuye Ronald who applauded their lawyers of Kaganzi and company advocates and Ocheng associated advocates for the great work well done, called for unity among Journalists.
He emphasized that as the leadership they will never compromise on the association constitution, rules and regulations.
