The 5th Guild President of Kabale University as a Public University was sworn in to office on the 21st of October 2020. H.E. Godfrey Niwamanya the sworn in Guild President was elected to office on the 17th of March 2020, however due to the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic he was not able to take office due to closure of all Institutions of higher learning.
The swearing in of the new Guild officials preceded the handover ceremony by the outgoing Guild Cabinet, the event was presided over by Prof. Benon Basheka, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic Affairs) who represented the Vice Chancellor. Present at the swearing in and handover ceremony was Anny Bwenye-Katabaazi (Mrs.), the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration), Mr. BaryantumaJohnson Munono, the University Secretary, Mr. Narcicir Tibenderana, the Academic Registrar, Mr. Amos Tukamushaba, the Dean of Students among many other officials.
Prof. Benon Basheka officiated the ceremony, while addressing the Guild Officials and the entire students’ community, thanked the outgoing students’ government for executing their duties diligently on behalf of the University Management.
Prof. Basheka explained the role of student leaders in any Academic Institution as they are called to serve other students by ensuring that Students Academics is given priority. He called upon the incoming student leaders to ensure that there are students innovations by changing students’ attitudes: He warned students leaders to avoid amending the guild constitution to suit their interest.
Prof. Basheka informed students that Kabale University Medical students were cleared by the East African Dental and Medical Council and graduates from Kabale University will be able to work in any country with in the East African Region.
On strengthening the ICT department, he said that internet services have been improved including improved internet speed, and putting in place an ICT help desk for students to attend to inquiries related to ICT instantly. In addition, plans are under way to install internet hot spots across the campus this will reduce congestion and enable social distancing amongst students.
On Infrastructure development Prof. Basheka informed students that the Graduate school has been able to receive a new home and plans are under way to create a home for Faculty of Agriculture and Environment Sciences. “Plans to put new structures for the Faculty of Engineering Technology, applied design and fine Art to expand on students learning space are ongoing,” he revealed.
Prof. Basheka called upon students to utilize the e-library resource services that have been put in place by the University.
The University Secretary Mr. Baryantuma Johnson Munono while addressing Students, welcomed them back to the University and asked them to observe the Standard Operating Procedures of Covid-19 pandemic put in place by Ministry of health to avoid any uncertainties of closing the Institutions again due to increased patient cases of Covid-19.
Mr. Baryantuma thanked H.E Evelyn Natukunda, the outgoing Guild President for having successfully completed the regime with no students’ strikes which are common in other Universities and challenged the New-Guild President to borrow a leaf. He thanked out going Games Union for the record theyhad set in sports citing the excellent performance they demonstrated during the inter University Sports League.
Mr. Baryantuma ended by thanking the Chairperson Electoral Commission for the work well done. He welcomed the new regimes of both the Guild Council and Games Union and pledged his continued support.
The Dean of Students, Mr. Tukamushaba Amos, during his address called upon students to be disciplined and have respect for others if they want to be successful leaders. He emphasized need for team work amongst the student’s leaders themselves, University Management and the entire Students Community. Mr. Tukamushaba thanked Students for electing good Leaders and requested the entire students’ community to support them. On behalf of the Office of the Dean of Students, he pledged their support and called upon the entire students’ community to utilize the office.
The ceremony ended with awarding of certificates to students’Leaders, cutting the cake and awarding gifts to Members of the University Management by the outgoing Guild Council.
We Congratulate H.E Godfrey Niwamanya, the Guild President, his entire Guild Council and wish them the best of luck during their term of office.