Saturday 26th September 2015, will be an indelible memory for many of the guests who turned up at the exotic Imperial Royale Hotel for an exclusive dinner organized by Makerere University’s 81st students’ guild. Pomp, fashion and glamour punctuated the chilly Saturday night as Makerere University’s ‘who is who’ graced the highly sought-after event.
Dressed to the nines, guests started trickling into the swanky poolside ballroom on the 5th floor as early as 7pm, and by 9pm when the dinner proper kicked off, there was hardly any leg-room left, with members of the 81st Guild Cabinet dotted random tables
Distinguished guests in attendance included H.E. V. Kananathan, Sri Lanka’s ambassador to Uganda; the Chancellor Prof. Mondo Kagonyera and the Chairperson of the university council Eng. Wana Etyem . Others included Kampala Metropolitan Police Commander, the Dean of Students Mr. Kabagambe Cyriaco as well as the Guild President, Bala David.
Guests were treated to a cocktail of serenading band music by the G licks Band which kept them entertained throughout the night. Re-doing popular hits from Sam Smith’s “Stay With Me”to Ed Sheeran’s “Photograph” and others to near perfection, the Band’s lead singer, a one Herbert, kept the ladies wishing they could go home with him, what with his soothing vocals!
Now in the twilight of his reign as Chancellor, the student’s guild saw the dinner as a perfect occasion to recognize and appreciate the contribution rendered by the outgoing Chancellor Prof. Mondo Kagonyera towards Makerere’s development and sustained global prominence during the years he has occupied the coveted office. In a speech delivered by Mr. Bala, the guild lauded Prof. Kagonyera’s efforts:
“Mr. Chancellor sir, as the 81st Guild, we shall not just celebrate our annual dinner casually but take this opportunity to celebrate the good works you’ve done for us. You have been a role model to us, the one to whom we have always run whenever we have problems. You have been a father to the guild and we forever remain proud of you.”
“Mr. Chancellor, we appreciate very much all you have done for the university and its students. We shall not take your works for granted and to that extent, we have a gift for you,” finished the guild president as he opened the gift box to reveal a striking portrait of the professor.
When it was his turn to speak, Eng. Wana Etyem extolled the guild president upon what he called responsible leadership and threw a veiled barb at Makerere’s immediate former guild president, Bwowe Ivan.
“I thank Mr. Bala David for inviting me because usually, the guild doesn’t interact with me very much. I am also very happy that David has not retracted any decisions taken by the Council ever since he assumed office, unlike other guild presidents in the past. As a leader, you must learn to take responsibility for your decisions.”
A few minutes past midnight, the 81st guild cabinet joined distinguished guests for a cake-cutting ceremony after which guests departed for the after party at one of Kampala’s liveliest night spots
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