Makerere EC sworn in as shs68m is disbursed for elections

On Monday morning at senate conference hall, Administrators led by the Dean of Students Mr Cyriaco Kabagambe presided over the swearing in ceremony of five members of the Electoral Commission. In attendance too were wardens of all halls of residences and the clergy (Imam and chaplains for St.Augustine and St.Francis chapels). These five were elected by the last GRC session chaired by Imran Kasuja at Food Science Technology conference hall.

These five executives are Kizito Abbas the Public Relations Officer, Daniel Amanya in charge of finance, Joseph Kafuma the secretary, Barbara Nakagwa the Vice Chairperson and Isaac Otuku the chairperson.

After swearing into power, the commission vowed to render the election tribunal jobless.

“We promise not to have a repeat of what happened last year. We shall be transparent and render the election tribunal jobless,” said Kafuma Joseph the secretary.

It should be remembered that last year the 82^nd Guild elections were held thrice. 18^th march was the first after which candidate Roy Ssemboga filed for a recount. Results from the school of Education were then annulled followed a boycotted re-election at the same school. The third phase was the re-election on 2^nd September organized under a court order that led Roy Ssemboga to the 82^nd MAK Guild presidential seat. The events that unfolded amidst these three polling sessions were violent strikes full of tear gas, numerous arrests and revolutionary boycotts from the Bazil Mwotta’s  Camp.

Rev Fr Josephat Ddungu one of the present Election Tribunal members urged the EC to meet and evaluate last year’s Guild election fracas as the only way to avoid repeating history and also cautioned them about the importance of documentation. The Team was also advised to be knowledgeable and to work together if free and fair elections are to usher in the 83^rd MAK guild.

The Dean of students flagged off the EC to begin its duties by highlighting the five identities the EC ought to understand critically during interaction;

1. The candidates, their supporters, and opponents who are disruptive and deceptive.
2. The press by being truthful and doing the right thing
3. Administration by keeping in touch and seeking for advice
4. Security as an extremely important part that controls insurgencies as well as keeping these EC members safe from harm
5. Themselves by minding what they say and the decisions they make

The Commission ignited fire in the room when they pledged to engage students into participating in the election process. “we are over 40,000 students but not even 15,000 vote. We are going to give students reasons as to why they should vote and at least increase the voter margins from 19.6% to 30%.” Otuk pledged.

Shs68 million to be disbursed for elections
The Dean of Students Cyriaco Kabagambe confirmed shs68 million set aside for elections this semester after being asked by the EC boss Isaac Otuku to always release the funds on time. The shs68m will encompass elections for the Guild president, Guild representative councilors from halls of residence and schools, elections for different schools and halls of residence leaders and other different representatives as stipulated by the Guild Constitution.

“You are not coming for employment and neither are you falling into things. This is 68m and the things you need are important so there is no money. If you have come to cheat money then this is not your area,”  Mr Kabagambe cautioned.

The Dean also warned the EC against the practice of swindling application money received from candidates. The University Council had proposed to outlaw these fees but since they retained them, the EC ought to be accountable for their (application fees) expenditure. In the past guild elections, Over shs3m has always been collected as a pre-requisite application fee for contestants but never accounted for.

The Electoral Commission is set to hold a meeting and draw a budget and a running schedule for the general 83rd Guild elections.