Why motorsport drivers take sides with FMU
The court order seen on social media was a temporary Injunction halting an Extra Ordinary Assembly of 3rd January 2024 on one hand and the process of reviewing the FMU constitution on the other. FMU apparently went ahead to hold that Extra ordinary assembly of 3rd January 2024 in total disregard of the court order for a temporary injunction and scheduled the AGM on February 3, 2024.
For the last few weeks motorsport has been making waves for the wrong reasons. On February 3, 2024, its Annual General Assembly was unceremoniously halted by Police wielding an order that the said assembly was illegal and under injunction by court.
The court order seen on social media was a temporary Injunction halting an Extra Ordinary Assembly of 3rd January 2024 on one hand and the process of reviewing the FMU constitution on the other. FMU apparently went ahead to hold that Extra ordinary assembly of 3rd January 2024 in total disregard of the court order for a temporary injunction and scheduled the AGM on February 3, 2024.
As delegates were still assembling, the DPC Jinja road stormed the venue with the said injunction and directive to halt the assembly. FMU then rescheduled that assembly to 9th February, 2024 I line with article 7.1.5 (d) of the FMU constitution as per AGM noticed issued on February 3.
In this assembly the delegates extended the term of office of the current executive committee led by Mr. DIpu Rupereila by months with specific tasks of a) aligning the FMU to the National Sports Act 2023, b) completing the constitutional review c) ensuring the motor sporting calendar runs smoothly. d) Holding general elections for new office bearers before 30th August 2024. In a bid to prevail over the situation the so-called trustees and senators of FMU, who had been silent when the drama started, got involved opining that in the present crisis it would be better if they assumed responsibility as a possible normalization committee.
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However, the FMU constitution limits the role of the senate to guiding and advising the excom as well as mediating in case of any disputes. In this case their first course of action would be to attempt mediation between FMU and any aggrieved parties. Instead they attempted to insert themselves as care taker leaders which made them complicit in the saga.
Motor rally drivers and riders have also weighed in on the matter asserting their position following the uncertainty that befell NRC 1 which took place in Mbarara. Towards the event held on the weekend of 9-11th February, some forces worked towards failing the organizers from securing a speed lift instrument which is mandatory for a rally event to take place.
However, FMU officials worked tooth and nail and managed to get it on the day the rally started. Following this saga, drivers took a stand and sided with FMU EXCom as the only legal office holders running FMU and motorsport affairs. They denounced the senators as self-seekers working for their personal interest.
The driver’s letter was addressed to NCS, FMU and Ministry of sports. Reproduced below.
