The High Court in Kampala has scheduled Friday, October 30, to hear an urgent application challenging the Makerere University Convocation election process, setting up a critical legal confrontation just 24 hours before the university’s planned voting exercise.
The hearing notice issued on Thursday lists Miscellaneous Application No. HCT-00-CV-MA-0945-2026, filed by Margaret Nattabi against the Makerere University Council, for hearing at 9:00 a.m. or soon thereafter. The notice, signed by court official Kintu Simon Zirintusa and dated October 29, explicitly directs both Nattabi and the university council to attend the proceedings.
“Take note that the hearing of this case has been fixed for 30 Oct 2026 at 9:00 AM,” the court notice reads in part.
The court fixture arrives at a tense moment for the institution, as the Makerere University Council firmly maintains that the Convocation Annual General Meeting and elections will proceed on Saturday, October 31, at the Imperial Botanical Beach Hotel in Entebbe despite the unresolved court proceedings.
The current legal tussle stems from a comprehensive petition filed in September by five prominent alumni-Ruth Kitamirike, Raymond Ssenteza, Margaret Nattabi, Joshua Muhwezi, and Sylus Oluka-who have questioned the legality, transparency, and overall integrity of the planned election process. The petitioners have repeatedly urged the university administration to halt the polls until outstanding legal and administrative grievances are resolved, maintaining that their intervention is aimed at safeguarding electoral standards rather than frustrating the vote.
“We are not opposed to elections taking place, but we are insisting on a transparent, legal, and fair process that respects the rights of all alumni,” one of the petitioners noted during the filing of the petition. “Proceeding with an election under contentious and unguided procedures undermines the credibility of the entire Convocation.”
At the heart of the dispute is the alleged absence of a formally adopted and published Convocation Statute to govern the body’s day-to-day operations and conduct during elections. The petitioners argue that conducting an election without a clear statutory framework creates confusion over fundamental aspects such as membership qualifications, voting rights, and overall electoral management.
Beyond the governing framework, the alumni have raised strong objections regarding the integrity of the voter register. They contend that the procedures for verifying eligible voters, handling register omissions, managing nominations, regulating proxy voting, and resolving election disputes remain heavily flawed and uncoordinated.
The petitioners are also challenging the unilateral increase of the Convocation membership fee from Shs10,000 to Shs50,000, asserting that such a financial change legally required the approval of the General Assembly rather than an administrative directive.
Accessibility and safety concerns have further heightened the stakes.
The petitioners have highlighted the suitability of the Entebbe venue regarding access for persons with disabilities, alongside lingering grievances over the chaotic December 2022 Convocation election, which was marred by widespread violence and voting irregularities. The group continues to demand an independent review of the 2022 polls, full disclosure of financial records, and a transparent audit of membership fee collections before any new executive is chosen.
“The unresolved issues from the 2022 election continue to cast a shadow over this process,” a petitioner stated. “The university council must address these underlying grievances and ensure the electoral venue is accessible and safe for every alumnus before rushing into another vote.”
The petitioners have formally requested the university council to withdraw the October 31 election notice and address all pending concerns well ahead of December 2026, when the current Convocation executive’s term officially expires.
As of Thursday evening, the court notice does not indicate that an interim injunction or stay order has been issued to halt the Saturday exercise. With the hearing fixed for Friday morning-just hours before delegates are expected to gather in Entebbe-it remains unclear whether the court will issue orders affecting the university’s planned schedule or allow the poll to proceed as advertised.