The electoral season at Makerere University is steaming up with the heat of the Guild Presidency race.
According to the the university’s 90th Electoral Commission (EC), the race has garnered the participation of 16 candidates, with only two of them being female.
The approved contestants include individuals such as Jonathan Basakirwa, Muhammadi Mukwaya, Ibrahim SSendagi, Victoria Mayiga, Elizabathe Shakira Wacha, Hamis Kabaale, Vincent Lubega Nsamba, Edmond Ariho, Andrew Efiti, and George Ssemanda. Other contenders are Simon Wandukwa, Mudathiru Ssemanda, Fulugensio Kasekende, Joshua Ssemuyaba Vitali, and Allan Micah Ikemeri.
EC chairperson, Ramadhan Kirunda has greatly cautioned this year’s nominees against violating the stipulated guidelines set by the Makerere Electoral Commission and the university’s laws.
Kirunda also warned that candidates breaching these guidelines would face consequences outlined in the guild statute and university constitutions.
New guidelines include restrictions on the number of supporters accompanying candidates (limited to less than 15), avoiding national political affiliations, and conducting all campaigns virtually.
This marks the third occasion of Makerere University organizing virtual elections since the suspension of physical electoral activities in July 2022.
The suspension followed the tragic death of a Uganda Christian University (UCU) student during a scuffle in the last days of the 88th guild campaigns.
In the previous year (2023), technical issues, including system breakdowns, affected the online voting system, preventing some students from casting their votes.
To address these challenges, the university has acquired new technology for this election, with Kirunda assuring that the voting process will be secure and witness a significant voter turnout.
The Electoral Commission’s shared list reveals that more than 400 students have expressed interest in contesting for positions in the Guild Representative Councils (GRCs) across their respective schools and halls of residence and over 30,000 students are expected to participate in the entire electoral process.
With all the new dynamics, personalities, principles and trajectories, the question of who will win the race can only be answered on March 7, 2024 when the students go to the polls.
Until then, this website will keep you posted regarding any development.
