Achon takes UAF officials to court over elections

For the next several months and probably years, a big part of local athletics action will be played out in courts of law.

In a move some will regard as unfortunate for the sport, former world junior champion, Julius Achon, has filed a petition in the Kampala High Court seeking to nullify results of the recently-conducted Uganda Athletics Federation (UAF) elections.

According to documents seen by this newspaper, Achon’s legal representatives Ntende, Owor & Company Advocates filed the case on February 12. In his affidavit, Achon contends that the January 25 elections that saw UAF president Dominic Otucet and his entire executive returned to office unopposed were a sham. Otucet and his team have been sued individually alongside the elections’ returning officer.

“The proceedings of 25th January 2014 were a window dressing (or public relations exercise) that did not amount to an election. The actual elections were held on the night of January 24 in Natete after delegates were briefed on who to elect,” Achon’s affidavit, a copy of which we have seen, reads in part.

Two-time Olympian Achon had designs on the federation presidency but was denied access to the elective assembly venue at Lugogo.
Several other genuine delegates were blocked from the assembly, he stated. Achon had earlier unsuccessfully petitioned National Council of Sports, requesting for a postponement of the elective assembly.

He is now demanding for fresh elections presided over by an independent entity.

Cap 1. National Council of Sports chairman John Bosco Onyik (M) tries to mediate between UAF president Dominic Otucet (L) and two-time Olympian Julius Achon last month. Onyik cleared UAF to hold their elective assembly on January 25 much to the chagrin of Achon’s group who wanted a postponement. file photo