“Why would an election in America of a Uganda organization act exactly like its parent’s in Kampala?” James William Mugeni, UNAA rep., Central Plains, asks.
Kampala – 21, April 2021: Uganda North America Association (UNAA) is back in the news due to its elections disagreement.
UNAA has had internal issues; disagreement over government of Uganda funding for a convention and members and executives getting divided between supporting former Presidential candidates; Hon. Robert Kyagulanyi Sentamu aka Bobi Wine and Yoweri Kaguta Museveni ahead of January 14, 2021 disputed elections.
TND News had exclusive details that some UNAA executives were divided, because some openly supported Bobi Wine, while others backed incumbent Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. The latter was declared the winner on January 16, 2021.
Back to UNAA, the internal woes seem not over yet, with the latest development proving so.
UNAA chairperson electoral commission, Florence Bazange is finding it harder to conduct elections. Below is her official communication to UNAA officials, including Board of Trustees (BOT).
Dear UNAA Officials,
Greetings from the UNAA EC!
The UNAA EC would like to let you know the status of the 2021 UNAA Elections in Cincinnati.
On March 24, 2021, the UNAA EC published multiple documents on the UNAA website these included:
1) 2021 UNAA EC guidelines and processes;
2) Call for 2021 UNAA Candidate Nominations;
3) 2021 UNAA General Elections Updates and;
4) 2021 UNAA General Elections COVID-19 Preparations.
On April 03, 2021, the EC held multiple meetings with Leaders of different UNAA organs, Council, Executive and BOT to update them on the upcoming 2021 UNAA General Elections. UNAA Council meeting was at 6:00 pm CST, UNAA Executive meeting was at 7:00 pm CST and UNAA BOT meeting was at 8:00 pm CST.
“On April 03, 2021 it came to our attention that the EC documents that were submitted to the UNAA Executive Secretary, Mr. Lambert Etibot and later published on the UNAA website on March 24, 2021 were later taken down.”
“On April 03, 2021, the EC learnt about the BOT’s involvement in this matter. On April 07, 2021, the EC invited the BOT for a meeting to address the matter.”
On April 09, 2021, the BOT Chairman, Mr. John Agaba declined the EC meeting invite stating that, “BOT is planning to hold a meeting specifically to discuss the issue you’re trying to address”.
On April 12, 2021, the EC Chairperson, Ms. Florence Bazanye reached out to the BOT Chairman requesting feedback. The EC Chairperson wrote that, “Time is running out and we would like our guidelines available to UNAA members”.
On April 14, 2021 the EC contacted the UNAA Executive inquiring why the EC documents were taken down from the UNAA website.
On April 14, 2021, Mr. Lambert Etibot responded to the EC stating, “I put down the EC guidelines after receiving a call from a BOT Member”.
Clearly, the EC did not receive any notification or consultation from Mr. Lambert Etibot for this action. Mr. Lambert’s actions have denied UNAA Candidates a chance to apply for positions in UNAA since the 2021 election nominations opened on March 24, 2021 and are closing on April 30, 2021.
On April 19, 2021, the EC Chairperson, Ms. Florence Bazanye reached out again to the BOT Chairman, Mr. John Agaba requesting a response to this matter.
On April 9, 2021, when Mr. John Agaba declined the EC meeting invite he said, “For that point we will not be able to meet with you today, we will let you know after our meeting”.
The EC is still waiting for feedback from the BOT Chairman, Mr. John Agaba.
Ladies and gentlemen, the 2021 UNAA General Elections are in Limbo! We have given ample time to the UNAA BOT and UNAA Executive to respond/address this matter. The UNAA EC is doing its role of organizing Elections as stipulated in the UNAA Constitution.
Based on the facts above, two UNAA organs (BOT/Executive) clearly are interfering in the EC activities to organize the UNAA 2021 General Elections. The decision to hold Elections this year rests with the UNAA BOT and UNAA Executive.
The Electoral Commission will continue to uphold a high ethical code of conduct, and adhere to its values of transparency, fairness, integrity and Independence.
Be Safe!
Respectfully,
Florence Bazanye
EC Chairperson
Mr James William Mugeni, UNAA representative, Central Plains told this publication on Wednesday that: “In 2019, the likes of Ruth Nankabirwa, Moses Byaruhanga, Obiga Kania and many others were here (USA) to fix the UNAA elections. One almost thinks with VISA restriction and the dirty politics in Kampala, the UNAA-Kampala influenced camp or organization is in total disarray.”
He added: “Why would an election in America of a Uganda organization act exactly like its parent’s in Kampala?”
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