The political atmosphere in Kyambogo University is getting tenser every other day as the many guild President aspirants show up to begin their campaigns. It’s the time when elegantly dressed young men and women walk around Banda with their different teams waving at every moving creature that catches their sight.
Today, January 26, very many NUP guild presidential contenders will begin to campaign for it is to be decided soon, who will bear the flag of lately the most popular political party among Ugandan Universities.
Ssekanjako Masuudi, one of the famous NUP Guild president aspirants today morning made his claim public and beguns his campaigns in the halls of residence, just like he has been doing in hostels. “Kyambogo for Kyambogo” as his motto says is aimed at bringing out the best the University should offer to its students.
One of the points he emphasizes on is to upgrade the University Medical Center to the level of a hospital.
“The Medical center, as small as it is, is expected to serve a population of more than 30,000 people. That is why its services are inefficient. We have got cases were a student goes to seek medical attention and he is told that the doctor or nurse is not around.”
There are only four beds in the medical center, there is limited space and the nurses there only test for typhoid or malaria. The most absurd part is that we pay for the medical services every year as part of the functional fees. Even some secondary schools have hospitals instead of sickbays, why not a public University as big as Kyambogo”, Masuudi expressed concern.
He also criticized some physical structures of the University.
“Why should our students wear gumboots on rainy days just to be able to walk along the slippery muddy roads and yet we all pay 80,000shs for maintenance fee? This money is supposed to be used to construct better roads and reconstruct the impoverished structures. Look at the halls of residence, they are too old and renovation has to be done,” he added.
Masuudi promised to address the administrative and academic issues such as missing marks and some lecturers harassing female students whom he referred to as “our girlfriends” so as to give them their missing marks.
Masuudi is well known for moving around Banda with his team wearing red People Power berets. It has not been forgotten that last week, he was shunned down from a certain class where he appeared to talk to students. He has remained strong even when a one Mbazira John promised him support that was all in vain.
Nalubanga Hanifa Kasim, the female NUP guild president contender is very popular among the female students of Kyambogo University. Recently, universities in Uganda picked a trend of electing female guild president, perhaps a glimmer of hope to Hanifa.
Yesterday, she visited Bavana and Mulumba Hostels, leaving all the students in awe after delivering a powerful manifesto.
“Change will not come if we wait for some other person or something another time. The time is now,” the ideologically rich Hanifa said.
The female students have assured her of their full support.
Other NUP guild presidential contenders are Suubi Isaac, Mandwa Elijah, and Masawi Ivan, though they are yet to publicly campaign far and wide.
The question remains, “Who will bear the NUP flag to represent the party in the forth coming guild presidential elections in March?
