By Hannah Marion Namukasa
High court judge Musa Ssekaana has okayed Uganda Journalists Association (UJA) leadership and its members to hold their Annual General Assembly AGM and its other activities like recruiting new members as they await for the judgment on a petition contesting the upcoming elections.
In his ruling, the learned judge guided that only the electoral process should be stayed but other UJA activities that are supposed to be conducted including the Annual General Assembly to enable a smooth running of the association should continue since the executive committee is still in office.
During the sittings of UJA AGMs several issues are always due for discussions as framed in the agenda including amending the constitution, adopting regulations and other reports, passing the budget, taking disciplinary actions among others.
Journalists Lubowa Abubaker, Zambali Bulasio Mukasa, Emmanuel Nkata, Martin Kimbowa and Hasifu Sekiwunga petitioned court seeking for a judicial review to be allowed to contest in the upcoming elections since they were disqualified for not meeting some of the required qualifications.
According to the UJA electoral guidelines, among others one to qualify to contest on any position he or she must have been a fully member of the association for the past two consecutive years to the elections which the organizers say the applicants and others disqualified don’t meet that qualification.
Court will also decide on whether the applicants have the locus to petition court, whether the application is amenable for judicial review, whether actions by the respondents who include UJA, its president and secretary general Mathias Rukundo and Emmanuel Kirunda actions are tainted by illegalities and bias. The court will also decide on other remedies available.
The case was adjourned to 13th of April 2023 for mention.
Meanwhile, Mathias Rukundo, the Uganda journalists Association UJA president welcomed the court ruling.
“We are grateful for the guidance of court and we are hopeful that court will give the best decision we deserve as an association and also to other parties that went to court. I believe all of us will come out winners” said Mathias
Lubowa Abubaker on behalf of the applicants appealed to his supporters to remain calm until the court makes its final judgment on the matter.
The applicants were represented by George Musis from Pace advocates while the respondents UJA was represented by Lester Kaganzi and Isaac Muwanga Ernest from Kaganzi and Co. advocates and Ocheng associated advocates respectively.
