Makerere EC Finance Commissioner Resigns

In a letter dated 16th April 2021 addressed to the Makerere University Dean of Students, Lule Huzaifa resigned from the position of Finance Commissioner of the university’s electoral commission. According to the letter that Campus Bee has obtained, Lule decided to resign following the university administration’s “failure to co-operate enough” to see that this year’s guild elections are held.

“This has come up as a result of the University Administration failing to be co-operative enough and seeming not to be having a good will to enable us hold elections as since last academic year.” Lule’s letter reads in part.

Lule’s letter further pinned the University Council for failing to take a stand on the mode of elections, leaving the electoral body in total confusion. According to Lule, the university’s decision to tell students to generate emails ahead of e-voting was communicated late, a move he believes will force students to ask for more time and majority likely to miss out.

Lule challenged that administration that if Makerere was able to hold National elections for Presidential and Local Council, why is it becoming impossible for them to hold their own elections.

On Friday 16th April, Makerere University Electoral Commission on Friday released a detailed roadmap for this year’s guild elections following various complaints from students over delays. Delaying to hold the highly anticipated elections had created anxiety among students who had vowed to strike on Monday 19th April.

According to the election roadmap, the electoral process will kick off with e-mail migration for electronic voting which will run from 15h to 23rd April 2021. The roadmap further indicates that aspiring candidates (aspiring guild presidents) will receive certificates of nomination on 20th and 21st April and guild elections will be held on 30th April 2021 through electronic/physical voting.

Below is Lule’s letter;