News reaching our desk reveals that the just concluded general elections of Uganda Christian University (UCU), Main campus may be facing cancellation because of the violence that was exhibited by the students, and “mercenaries” during the election period.
Speaking during the university community worship on Tuesday afternoon, the Vice Chancellor (VC) Rev. Dr. John Senyonyi announced that a move has been initiated to investigate the violence, and hooliganism that was exhibited by rogue students during the election.
He added that all the students discovered to have participated in the violence will be summoned before the disciplinary committee (DC) to respond to the facts that will be presented.
Open Air campaigns on the 1st November
The rules of the electoral commission indicated that the open air campaigns would take place on the 1st of November, a day before the elections, from the hours of 2 to 5 pm in the afternoon. The presidential candidates did not appear at the venue (agape square) at the required time. It was not until 5 pm that the entourage of the candidates made an appearance before the university main gate.
A stalemate rocked the gate, creating an impasse. The seemingly tight security did not allow the rowdy students entrance into the gate, while immense pressure was being exerted from the outside, coupled with loud music systems mounted on huge trucks from the different candidate camps. The sound was just unbearable.
It was after heated negotiations with the security at the gates and the administration that the students were finally let into the university to complete their campaigns. Some supporters exchanged words and fists with the opposite teams.
The presidential candidates are also accused of bringing “mercenaries”, groups of persons from outside the university to boost their camps. These people were hired from all over, including Mukono and beyond. When prompted to present their identification, they had nothing university-like to show.
Presidential Debate
On the 31st October was the presidential debate moderated by Charles Odongtho NBS Frontline. Throughout the debate, the arguments, and manifesto of the candidates could not be heard or listened to because the students/supporters kept blowing vuvuzelas, whistles, and screaming at the top of their voices for their candidates.
The conduct of the students of UCU at the election proved a huge security challenge for the university security that tried to bring calm but in vain.
The moderator too was overwhelmed and disappointed by the supporters who were not willing to listen but only make noise.
Candidates fail to raise over 50% of the election.
A total of about 2,281 students took part in the election. With the highest candidates garnering about 985 votes of the total votes, amounting to a percentage of 43% less by the required 50% as required by a document not yet declared.
Despite this, after the tallying of votes on the night of 2nd November, the electoral commission did not announce the winner of the election as the new president but simply announced the percentage attained, sending supporters to jubilations.
Article 89 of the guild constitution lays down the procedure for the election of a presidential candidate. Clause 7 of the same article provides that “The candidate who receives the greatest number of valid votes cast shall be declared elected as president.”
It is not yet confirmed what document or law of the university requires that the presidential candidate to acquire more than 50% of the votes, but the percentage is being emphasized by some of the voices within the university.
The VC during the prayers stated that the recommendation of the DC will determine the fate of the elections. The swearing ceremony of the new leaders is supposed to take place next week.
“If the DC recommends that the elections are cancelled, we shall do that,” he said.
This is a developing story.
