New Vision journalist Emmanuel Kirunda has been elected president of the Uganda Journalists Association (UJA), replacing Mathias Rukundo, following the association’s leadership elections held on Saturday, November 7, 2026.
Kirunda, the outgoing UJA Secretary General, emerged as the new president during the association’s Annual General Assembly held at its offices in Keti Falawo, Kawempe.
The elections were presided over by renowned advocate Gilbert Mbonye, who served as the returning officer.
Kirunda’s election followed a decision by his main challenger, Jay Rizik Kalungi Agonzibwa of Vision Group, to withdraw from the presidential race after the two candidates were asked to hold discussions on the way forward.
Following the withdrawal, Kalungi was declared Vice President, a position that had remained unfilled in the election process.
Rizik
Rizik Karungi and Emmanuel Kirunda
Other members elected to the new UJA leadership include the former UJA spokesperson Kabuye Ronald as Secretary General, Kigongo Issa as Treasurer, Damba Tadeo as Organising Secretary and Rachael Namuli Nakabugo as Secretary for Production.
Mukisa Daniel was elected Secretary for External Relations, while Mubiru Hakim took the position of Secretary for Health and Social Welfare.
Regional representatives elected include Ismail Bategeka for Western Uganda, Ivan Keziron Wakibi for Eastern Uganda and Joseph Omagor for Northern Uganda.
Before the presidential election, Kirunda and Kalungi presented their respective manifestos, outlining their priorities and proposed strategies for strengthening the association and improving journalists’ welfare.
Kalungi placed considerable emphasis on journalists’ economic welfare, financial security, unity and inclusion.
Returning Officer Advocate Gilbert Mbonye
She proposed the establishment of a Savings and Credit Cooperative Organisation (SACCO) to enable journalists to access affordable loans at lower interest rates.
She argued that journalists deserved an organised financial support system similar to those enjoyed by professionals in other sectors, saying it would help members overcome their financial challenges.
Kalungi also pledged to establish a support mechanism for journalists facing medical emergencies, particularly those struggling to raise money for treatment and operations.
She further promised to advocate for scholarships and educational opportunities for female journalists while promoting mentorship programmes for young and upcoming media practitioners.
On unity, Kalungi expressed concern over what she described as divisions within UJA, arguing that the association should operate as a family rather than a political organisation.
Kabuye Ronald, the elected Secretary General
Kirunda, on the other hand, campaigned on a platform of institutional reorganisation, press freedom, journalists’ safety, economic rights, unity and professional development.
Introducing himself as a journalist and outgoing Secretary General, Kirunda said he was seeking the presidency to redefine journalism and give the association renewed direction.
He outlined seven key priorities that he said would guide his leadership, starting with reorganising UJA and revitalising its existing initiatives.
He argued that the association needed stronger structures and more effective leadership to fulfil its mandate and address the challenges facing journalists.
On press freedom and journalists’ safety, Kirunda highlighted his previous involvement in legal efforts to challenge attacks against media practitioners.
He recalled the 2022 court petition filed following the beating of journalists at the United Nations offices in Kololo, saying he was among those who challenged the Attorney General and eight individual military officers over the attacks.
He described the resulting court decision, which he said declared the beating of journalists in the course of their professional duties unconstitutional, as an important achievement in the struggle for press freedom.
Kirunda also highlighted his involvement in securing the release of journalist Remmy Asiteza, who had spent more than two months in detention before his intervention helped secure his freedom.
He pledged to continue defending journalists facing arrest, detention, intimidation and other forms of harassment in the course of their professional duties.
The new UJA president-elect also argued that press freedom should go beyond the right to publish stories to include journalists’ economic rights, particularly fair remuneration and better working conditions.
His other priorities included empowering journalists to occupy online spaces and challenge imposters, promoting unity through initiatives such as the World Press Freedom Day Media Football Sports Gala, expanding partnerships and strengthening professional development.
He also pledged to extend the sports gala to other regions of the country to bring journalists together and promote solidarity across different media houses.
Additionally, Kirunda promised to attract more development partners to support UJA programmes and strengthen the association’s institutional capacity.
How Kirunda emerged
The presidential contest took an unexpected turn after the two candidates presented their manifestos.
Following the presentations, returning officer Mbonye asked Kirunda and Kalungi to hold a brief meeting of approximately five minutes to agree on the way forward.
The candidates subsequently retreated into the offices alongside their respective campaign agents before returning to the assembly.
Upon their return, Mbonye announced that Kalungi had agreed to withdraw from the presidential contest, paving the way for Kirunda to take over the association’s leadership.
Kalungi was subsequently declared Vice President, completing the election of the new UJA leadership.
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