UJOSS Clarification Against Mr. Ruot George: Unveiling the Truth Behind a Dispute

By Majur Chol Khor

A recent saga between Mr. Ruot George Mut and UJOSS have brought to light complex issues surrounding contracts, dismissals, and accusations of corruption within the organization. The unfolding series of events sheds light on the challenges organizations face when dealing with employment disputes and allegations of financial misconduct.

The timeline of events dates back to January 2023 when Mr. Ruot signed a six-month contract with UJOSS, with his salary being funded through cost-sharing contributions from various projects. However, tensions arose in June 2023 when UJOSS management issued contract renewal notifications, effective on July 3rd. Unfortunately, Mr. Ruot was away on field work and only received the contract copies upon his return on July 7th, 2023.

Challenges escalated when Mr. Ruot requested changes to his contract, including a substantial salary increase and a different position with altered responsibilities. Negotiations ensued until July 20th when Mr. Ruot offered to work without a contract, a proposal rejected by UJOSS due to financial documentation requirements.

Tensions peaked when Mr. Ruot expressed hostility towards UJOSS, threatening to “destroy” the organization. An urgent meeting was called on July 23rd to address his concerns. Regrettably, Mr. Ruot prematurely left the meeting after a cultural misunderstanding led to a heated exchange with a female executive member, resulting in his dismissal from the executive group.

Subsequently, Mr. Ruot sought legal redress, demanding six months’ worth of salaries for alleged wrongful dismissal. UJOSS responded with evidence refuting his claims, leading to a standstill with the law firm representing Mr. Ruot.

Amidst the escalating conflict, Mr. Ruot approached the Media Authority, Ministry of Labour, and UJOSS state offices levelling accusations of corruption within the organization. UJOSS took proactive measures by organizing training sessions to address the allegations. However, Mr. Ruot failed to substantiate his claims during the sessions, prompting warnings to cease defamatory actions against UJOSS officials.

In a bid to tarnish UJOSS’s reputation further, Mr. Ruot contacted donors with allegations of corruption and financial mismanagement by the organization’s leaders. Donors sought clarification from UJOSS, which promptly provided evidence debunking the accusations made by Mr. Ruot.

Despite the dismissal of the case, Mr. Ruot persisted in making defamatory statements against UJOSS officials in various platforms, including WhatsApp groups like the “S.S Journalists group,” where he labeled the current UJOSS leadership as corrupt, members of a criminal network, and cartel.

In response to Mr. Ruot’s defamatory remarks, UJOSS took legal action by filing a defamation case against him. The organization sought to compel Mr. Ruot to provide evidence substantiating his allegations of corruption and criminal activities within the UJOSS leadership.

Following due process, an arrest warrant was issued, leading to Mr. Ruot’s arrest. UJOSS emphasized that legal action was a last resort after multiple attempts to address Mr. Ruot’s defamatory statements had failed.

In response to UJOSS’ clarification statement, Mr. Ruot Gorge offered his perspective, stating, “I am not fearing the court as you claim. My concern is the way you are treating me. There are lots that I wanted to expose, but when I reflect backward from 2021 to the time we have gotten funds at UJOSS in 2023, I see lots of good things you have done for me at the personal level.”

Mr. Ruot continued, highlighting his efforts to safeguard UJOSS’s legacy, saying, “But after getting your new administrative marriage with your SG who has suspended many UJOSS programs against your will, you chose to forget to remember the protection I have provided to ensure your legacy perseveres for many leaderships to come.”

He further alleged misconduct on the part of the UJOSS Secretary-General, claiming, “UJOSS SG was arrested in Awiel, Rumbek, and in Yambio for refusing to pay the hotel bills and asking the managers of Kush (Awiel), Palm Tree (Rumbek), and Touraige (Yambio) to provide him with forged receipts, and I reported all these to you, yet you remained silent.”

Journalists in the country are calling for the union leadership to resolve the matter administratively. Ruot Gorge was released on bail yesterday after spending a couple of hours in the police custody.

Defamation, as defined, involves making false statements aimed at tarnishing an individual’s or organization’s reputation. As is the case against Mr. Ruot progressed, the importance of accountability, truth, and adherence to legal processes became central in resolving the dispute between UJOSS and its former members.