The much-anticipated Makerere University guild presidential rally at Kabanyolo, Gayaza Friday evening took a violent turn after one of the candidates was bounced from the candidates’ seat and told to leave the rally.
Aseru Sarah, the Mak Electoral Commission vice chairperson took to the microphone and announced midway the rally that Bala David, the student who recently entered into a consent agreement with the University to let him contest and campaign for guild presidency, was not welcome at the rally as far as the electoral commission is concerned and so ordered him to leave the candidates’ seat. Aseru’s claim was that the electoral commission had no knowledge of the consent agreement he was claiming to have made with the University. At the signing on 6th March 2015, the electoral commission was not represented.
The announcement of his being persona non grata at the rally infuriated Bala’s tens of faithful supporters who had escorted him all the way from Kampala. They decided to boycott the rally and formed a rival one just besides the main one at which a dismayed Bala addressed them, asked them to remain calm and then later convinced them to board their vehicles and they head back to Kampala.
In the mini-fracas that that ensued, supporters from one of the candidates’ camp started throwing stones and other objects, one of which hit a candidate, Lubega, who had just taken to the microphone to address the rally. He was seen leaving in tears immediately after, escorted by Police which whisked him away moments later. Attempts to get a comment from him were futile.
A shocked and terrified Aseru Sarah was also seen making imaginary calls and leaving shortly after, tightly guarded by heavily-armed anti-terrorism policemen.
Kayondo Latima, one of the guild contestants exuded disbelief as to why Makerere University could go ahead to disown the very agreement that was signed inside the Dean’s office in the presence of the Dean himself, the University’s lawyers and officials from the University Secretary’s office. “You never know, may be they have found a way of escaping from the whole Bala dilemma and prevent him from contesting,” he said.
The makerere university guild race of 2015/2016 has been characterised by violence at rallies between rival camps, court action and suspense as the university can’t seem to make up its mind on whether or not to allow the earlier-disqualified candidates to stand, something that has left the students guessing the next move.
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