The Guild Speaker of Makerere University, who dissolved the guild house and became the Acting Guild President may be in a plot to prolong his stay at the helm of the student’s body in the university in acting role, Campus Bee has learned.
Ezra Byakutangaza, who also doubles as the President of the Uganda National Students Association (UNSA) has addressed a letter to the Vice Chancellor asking for extension of the election dates much as the 2019/2020 Guild Cabinet and Guild Representative Council was dissolved on 28th January 2020 and the electoral committee of the incoming election was selected.
He explained that the motive is to allow time for guidance on the electoral reforms and how the current elections will be handled, issues that were already discussed and resolved. His wishes were respected by the Vice Chancellor and elections seem to be halted for the time being till further notice.
According to the Guild constitution, the speaker of the GRC (Students’ Parliament) becomes the Ag Guild President until the following Guild President is elected and sworn in. Contrary to the provisions of the Guild constitution Article 68 (1) which provides for the election and swearing in of the Electoral Commission within the first 14 days of the semester, there is no sign of such even when the days are long past.
Byakutangaza seems to be inspired by the antics of one of his predecessors Yamurebire Burobuto who, after serving as the speaker in the 81st Bbala David government, played his cards smartly and led as the interim Guild President for close to seven months after which he bounced back as the Prime Minister for the 82nd Roy Ssemboga government.
Incidentally, it is the same Burobuto that has handed over instruments of power to Byakutangaza as president of UNSA after also heading the institution for two years without holding the annual general elections. Could Byakutangaza be mastering the art of how to stay longer in power?
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