The leadership of the Uganda Parliamentary Press Association (UPPA), headed by NBS TV’s Sam Ibanda Mugabi, is facing growing opposition after an annual general meeting (AGM) attended by fewer than 30 members turned into a heated debate over constitutional amendments, elections, and proposals to extend the current executive’s tenure.
The meeting, held today in Room 319 at Parliament, lasted less than an hour despite the association having more than 250 members.
The low attendance raised questions about the legitimacy of decisions taken at a meeting whose agenda included changes to the association’s constitution and the future of its leadership.
Proceedings started at 9:16 am with a prayer led by Eric Sebalamu of Salt TV, followed by introductions. Arthur Wadero, who presented the proposed order of business, invited members to make comments and raise concerns.
However, the meeting quickly turned towards the association’s leadership and the long-standing demands by members for access to the UPPA constitution and fresh elections.
In his address, Ibanda said he and his executive were not interested in clinging to power, but immediately proposed the formation of a select committee to review the association’s constitution.
The five-member committee comprises Isaac Senabulya, Fred Kajubi, Theopisita Nakamya, Emmanuel Bukenya and Ruth Mirembe.
However, the proposal did little to calm tensions, with some members questioning why the leadership was prioritising constitutional amendments instead of organising elections as its current term approached its end.
Emmanuel Baziwe, a UPPA member, suggested that the constitutional review should take about three months, after which elections could be organised to allow members to choose new leaders.
But another journalist, David Bwansi, proposed extending the current leadership’s tenure by one year, a suggestion that further angered some members who believe the executive should be preparing to hand over power rather than seeking more time in office.
Hasifu Ssekiwunga, one of the journalists who has expressed interest in contesting for the UPPA presidency, criticised the manner in which the meeting was conducted.
He said members had effectively buried the association early in the morning by allowing important leadership questions to be handled in a meeting attended by only a small fraction of its membership.
Other members questioned the urgency behind holding a meeting that lasted less than an hour, particularly when many journalists had repeatedly requested copies of the constitution but had not received them.
The UPPA constitution provides for a maximum of two presidential terms, meaning Ibanda’s second term should be his last.
Ibanda first became UPPA president in October 2022 after defeating Francis Lubega. He was re-elected on November 29, 2024, for a second term.
The latest developments have therefore raised questions about whether the proposed constitutional review is intended to address genuine governance concerns or could provide a route for the current leadership to remain in office beyond its elected mandate.
One member questioned why the association could not simply organise elections and allow journalists to freely choose their leaders.
“My questions remain: What is preventing UPPA from organising elections and allowing members to freely vote for candidates of their choice? What necessitates the extension of the current leadership’s term, and what is the justification behind it?” the member asked.
The member argued that leadership and accountability concerns affect the entire association, not only those who managed to attend the AGM, and that members should be allowed to seek explanations and participate in constructive discussions.
There were also allegations among some members that Ibanda and his executive were interested in extending their tenure because they expected to receive financial support promised by the new Speaker of Parliament, Jacob Marksons Oboth, in the next financial year.
One member claimed that holding elections could jeopardise the executive’s chances of accessing the anticipated funding.
However, we could not independently verify this allegation.
Ibanda’s declaration that he does not intend to cling to power will now be tested by what happens next. Some members told Bbeg Media on condition of anonymity that they want a clear election timetable, access to the rules governing their association and an assurance that no leadership extension will be imposed without their consent.
