The High Court has issued an interim injunction, blocking the upcoming election of new executives of the Uganda Journalists Association (UJA) scheduled for 25th February 2023.

The court ruled that the electoral process cannot continue until the grievances raised by five petitioners, who are members of the association, are heard and determined.

The respondents are the current president of the association, Mathias Rukundo and the General Secretary Emmanuel Kirunda as well as the association.

The Uganda Journalists Association holds an Annual General Meeting (AGM) every two years and it is during this AGM that new leaders are elected by the members. Early this year, there was a call for applications for new leaders and 32 journalists applied. However, only half, that is 16 applicants were successfully vetted and declared candidates while others were excluded, with the vetting committee saying that they did not qualify.

Five of those who were excluded; Abubaker Lubowa who was eyeing the presidency, Hasifu Ssekiwunga, Martin Kimbowa, Nkata Emmanuel, and Zambaali Blasio Mukasa petitioned the High Court challenging the decision to exclude them, saying that some members of the vetting committee were also contestants and therefore had a conflict of interest.

The petitioners and the defendants, UJA president Matthias Rukundo and General Secretary Emmanuel Kirunda today appeared before High Court Judge Musa Ssekaana.

After hearing both sides, Justice Sekaana issued an interim injunction, suspending the UJA election and other processes leading to it until the case is determined.

The applicants want the court to ensure that the Uganda Journalists Association holds a free and fair election.

UJA President Matthias Rukundo, who is one of the respondents, said they would comply with the court order to suspend the electoral process but urged journalists who are interested in participating in the association's activities to follow the guidelines.

The High Court has 28th February 2023 to begin hearings but in the meantime, Justice Ssekaana has stopped the respondents from carrying out any activities in regard to the disputed electoral process, including all preparations and the Annual General Meeting (AGM) which was scheduled to be held on 25th February 2023 has issued an interim injunction, blocking the upcoming election of new executives of the Uganda Journalists Association (UJA) scheduled for 25th February 2023.

The court ruled that the electoral process cannot continue until the grievances raised by five petitioners, who are members of the association, are heard and determined. The respondents are the current president of the association, Mathias Rukundo, and the General Secretary Emmanuel Kirunda as well as the association.

The Uganda Journalists Association holds an Annual General Meeting (AGM) every two years and it is during this AGM that new leaders are elected by the members. Early this year, there was a call for applications for new leaders, and 32 journalists applied. However, only half, that is 16 applicants were successfully vetted and declared candidates while others were excluded, with the vetting committee saying that they did not qualify.

Five of those who were excluded; Abubaker Lubowa who was eyeing the presidency, Hasifu Ssekiwunga, Martin Kimbowa, Nkata Emmanuel, and Zambaali Blasio Mukasa petitioned the High Court challenging the decision to exclude them, saying that some members of the vetting committee were also contestants and therefore had a conflict of interest.

The petitioners and the defendants, UJA president Matthias Rukundo and General Secretary Emmanuel Kirunda today appeared before High Court Judge Musa Ssekaana.

After hearing both sides, Justice Sekaana issued an interim injunction, suspending the UJA election and other processes leading to it until the case is determined.

The applicants want the court to ensure that the Uganda Journalists Association holds a free and fair election.

UJA President Matthias Rukundo, who is one of the respondents, said they would comply with the court order to suspend the electoral process but urged journalists who are interested in participating in the association's activities to follow the guidelines.

The High Court has 28th February 2023 to begin hearings but in the meantime, Justice Ssekaana has stopped the respondents from carrying out any activities in regard to the disputed electoral process, including all preparations and the Annual General Meeting (AGM) which was scheduled to be held on 25th February 2023.