By William Madouk
A long-awaited Union of Journalists of South Sudan (UJOSS) annual general meeting (AGM) is now scheduled for the end of October.
UJOSS Secretary General, Majak Daniel announced the date after the institution failed to organize annual general meeting for three years, due to lack of funds.
The delay had drawn criticism from some members, who perceive the postponements as a tactical maneuver by the executive to evade accountability.
“We are informing our members about the upcoming General Assembly Meeting that will be held in Juba at Crown Hotel on October 30 and 31 2024,” Majak said in a statement.
In the notice addressed to journalists across the country, Mr. Majak cited that the meeting would explore progress, challenges and open avenues for members to contribute their inputs.
“The meeting will offer the opportunity to learn more about UJOSS progress made, challenges including Union’s future and ways you member could contribute positively to our professional union,” he added.
The agenda includes; presentation of UJOSS narrative, financial reports of activities conducted and audit reports – UJOSS strategic plan and presentation of the Union’s constitution, 2008 (draft 2021).
In the past month, the union had come under criticism for its failure to conduct the AGM
Last month, George Ruot, a journalist and former Program Coordinator for UJOSS, accused the current leadership of corruption, mismanagement of funds, altering the union’s constitution, and failing to convene a general assembly for three years.
UJOSS President, Patrick Oyet denied the corruption allegations but acknowledged that his administration had not fulfilled its constitutional obligation to organize an Annual General Meeting (AGM).
He cited financial constraints.
“General Assembly Meeting is a genuine call and we totally agree with those calling for it. According to our constitution, we are supposed to have a general assembly every year,” Oyet said last month.
“We failed to do so because, when we went to UJOSS, we only had $300 in our account. We didn’t even have an office—so you can imagine if you don’t have an office, what is going to be a priority: is it the AGM or having an office? Our priority has been to establish an office, have offices across the country, and then we move to things like the AGM,” he explained.
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