Carrot importers' leadership row heads to court

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The leadership row among carrot importers under their umbrella body of the Federation of Uganda Carrots and Fresh Foods Producers Limited, has gone to court.

This follows the election of Ezra Watuwa and Moses Waneroba as the president and vice president of the federation, respectively.

The matter has been taken to the Chief Magistrates Court at Makindye for adjudication by Immaculate Ndagire and Ismael Mugoya, contesting the election of Watuwa and Moses Waneroba as the president and vice president of the federation, respectively.

The federation was formed as a result of a merger of the Kampala Carrot Importers, Truck Drivers and Development Association and the Kampala Carrots and Fresh Food Traders Cooperative Society, since all the associations were involved in the importation of fresh foods like carrots, onions, jackfruits, among others, from Kenya.

When the matter came up for hearing on May 9, 2025, Raymond Mugabi, representing Ndagire and Mugoya, asked court for more time to file their supplementary affidavit. 

Gerald Walukande and Hebert Mugabi, representing Watuwa and Waneroba, wanted the court to remove the ex parte administrative order which the court issued on April 28 this year, restraining Watuwa and Waneroba or their agents from serving as the directors, shareholders or carrying out any transaction on behalf of the federation pending disposal of the matter.

Walukande submitted that the order affects over 300 traders who are involved in the importation of carrots and fresh foods from Kenya.

However, the presiding Senior Grade One Magistrate Adiru Igga declined, saying there was no evidence to show that the circumstances have since changed despite the absence of Ndagire in court. 

The magistrate has directed the parties to file their respective submissions before May 12, 2025, when the case will be heard.

Uganda imports carrots and other fresh foods, with significant quantities coming from Kenya.

In 2021, Uganda imported $7.6 million worth of carrots and turnips, with Kenya being the primary supplier.  However, the leadership row is threatening the sector. 

Genesis of the row

Watuwa explained that Ndagire and Mugoya were part of the 21 executive committee members who were appointed by Maj. Emma Kutesa to serve on the interim committee of the federation for a fixed period of six months to among others work on the registration of the federation at Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB).

“We were appointed on March 23, 2024, and the six months expired naturally on September 23, 2024. After the expiry of a six-month period, Ndagire and Mugoya were supposed to call for an annual general meeting to elect the substantive leadership of the federation. However, they never did it,” Watuwa said.

Watuwa said they convened three meetings, but Ndagire conspicuously never appeared in any of them.

“When leaders don’t appear in three consecutive meetings, members are allowed to get an interim chairman to cause an election, and that is exactly what happened,” Watuwa said.

Watuwa noted that before he was elected as the substantive President of the Federation chairman, Ndagire was asked to defend herself on why she missed the three meetings, but never responded within seven days as required under their rules.

After the formation of the association, Watuwa said they were supposed to streamline the industry, which has never happened to date.