Makerere University is gearing for the forthcoming 89th Guild presidential elections with tensions rising day by day.
The latest development indicates that the Electoral Commission (EC) is implementing the stiff measures put in place by the university management to mitigate election-related violence.
It is against this background that suspensions and disqualifications are flowing like a river at Makerere University.
In a letter dated 6th April, 2023, the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission Levi Tshilumba informed the students body that Guild President aspirants Nattabi Margaret and Namwoza Sulaiman have been disqualified from the 89th Guild Presidential race.
Despite the ban on partisan politics at Makerere, Nattabi Margaret is a National Unity Platform (NUP) leaning candidate in this year’s race.
The EC confirmed her disqualification citing participation in an electoral debate (kimeza) at Mitchell Hall on the night of 05 April 2023 ensuing in a scuffle where a Makerere University student, Sserunjogi Robert was beaten and suffered severe injuries.
“Both Natabi Margaret and Namwoza Sulaiman acknowledged that they participated in the “kimeza” of the night of 05 April 2023 frorn 08:00 pm to 09:00 pm at Mitchell Hall.,” Levi noted.
“The participation of Nattabi Margaret and Namwoza Sulaima in this event is contrary to the Makerere University Students Guild Statute 2022, Section 10 b) which stipulates that Student elections at the University shall be virtual unless otherwise determined by the University Council and also contradictory to the Makerere University Students Guild Constitution 2022, Article 67 1) b) which stipulates that Elections at the University shall be virtual unless otherwise dictated by the University Council,” he justified the decision.
The pair are not the only victims of the kimeza owing to the fact that other two students and Mitchell Hall custodian were suspended from the university by VC Nawangwe.
