The Federation of motorsport clubs of Uganda (FMU) annual general assembly on Saturday 3rd February at the Silver Springs hotel in Bugolobi flopped after Police stormed the venue to implement a court order issued last month halting the meeting.
Around 11 am, over 50 FMU delegates had taken their seats, preparing for a day of discussions during the annual general meeting. However, their proceedings were abruptly interrupted by Police under the command of Jinja Road Divisional Police Commander SSP Ahimbisibwe Julius, who delivered a court order, ordering the cessation of the assembly.
“I have come to execute an order that this meeting will not take place, according to the court order,” asserted Ahimbisibwe.
The injunction stems from an earlier Application by Counsel Godfrey Nsamba seeking an injunction to stop the earlier scheduled extra general assembly to discuss and pass constitutional amendments in an elective year.
The order, issued on December 28th, 2024, by Justice Dr. Douglas Karekona Singiza of the High Court Civil
Division, restrained five respondents, including FMU registered trustees and the executive committee, from organizing the Extra General Assembly. However, the assembly proceeded last month, disregarding the court order.
FMU President Dipu Ruparelia expressed disappointment at the police intervention, highlighting the discrepancy in dates.
“I am seeing police stopping an event which is on 3rd February but they are quoting a meeting of 3rd January, so either the police have come late, one month later and stopping something not on the agenda. This is a genuine process that we hold every first week of February every year. They have embarrassed themselves,” expressed a disappointed Dipu.
“This assembly is the supreme organ of the federation, not even Dipu can stop an activity of this body. It’s very embarrassing that our so-called elders have chosen to take this line, and I hope people see them for what they are. We have achieved so much already, and for this sport to progress, you have to do away with these people,” he added.
FMU, alongside Cricket, was upgraded last year as one of the two sports federations to receive Shs3bn annually from the National Council of Sports, replacing boxing and netball. Despite their elevated status, both associations have been entangled in administrative disputes, notwithstanding the commendable performances of the national cricket teams.