Makerere Convocation Election Faces Urgent Court Challenge Ahead of Saturday Polls

The High Court in Kampala has scheduled a hearing for an urgent application challenging the Makerere University Convocation election process, setting the stage for a critical legal showdown just one day before the planned voting exercise.

The court notice, issued on Thursday, sets the hearing for Miscellaneous Application No. HCT-00-CV-MA-0945-2026, filed by Margaret Nattabi against the Makerere University Council. Both parties have been directed to attend the proceedings at 9:00 a.m. Despite the pending court case, the Makerere University Council maintains that the Annual General Meeting and elections will go on as scheduled at the Imperial Botanical Beach Hotel in Entebbe.

The legal battle traces back to September, when five alumni petitioned the court to question the transparency and integrity of the upcoming elections. The petitioners argue that holding the polls without a formally adopted Convocation Statute undermines credibility and creates confusion regarding membership and voting rights. Further objections have been raised over a disputed voter register, an increase in membership fees from Shs10,000 to Shs50,000 without General Assembly approval, and accessibility concerns at the Entebbe venue.

Alumni have also pointed to unresolved issues stemming from the chaotic December 2022 Convocation election, demanding a transparent audit of membership fees and an independent review of past irregularities before a new executive is chosen. As of Thursday evening, no interim injunction or stay order had been issued to halt Saturday’s exercise, leaving the fate of the elections uncertain as Friday’s court hearing approaches.

Read more details in the original report by the Daily Monitor at Makerere Convocation Dispute.