The political aspirations of seven students who were eying the 2016/2017 Makerere University guild presidency hang in balance after being precluded from contesting for the office on academic grounds.
According to a copy of a letter sent to Makerere’s electoral commission by the academic registrar, the affected students have pending retakes which, according to the new eligibility criteria passed by the 81st guild and approved this semester by the university council, bars them from contesting.
The victims include Omollo Juemah, Nasala Brian, Nviiri Sospeter, Luwalwa Frank, Kiyingi Dennis, Kalyango Shafic and Ssekidde Nicholas.
Before the dust has even settled, tongues are wagging that the affected students are mulling possible Court action against their exclusion from the race which some say is based on new regulations that were passed in total disregard for due process requirements.
Before his victory last year, the outgoing guild president Bala David had to force the university’s hand by challenging in Court the eligibility criteria under which he had been excluded from contesting. Pursuant to a Court order, Bala’s name was eventually reinstated on the list of duly nominated candidates. Shall we see a repeat?
Meanwhile, eight students have been duly nominated and approved to contest for Makerere’s guild presidency. These include Ssembogga Roy, Bazil Mwotta, Ssenyonga Simon, Luyinda Fred, Kasozi Ismail, Nsubuga Umar, Ainomugisha Dick Rogers and Mandela Nkunda Bainomugisha.
Campaigns officially kicked off today, Monday 29 February 2016.
