Makerere’s Uganda Young Democrats (UYD), a youth associate of the Democratic Party (DP) on Thursday had their handover ceremony to a fresh executive which attracted former DP President and 1996 presidential contender Dr. Paul Kawanga Ssemogerere to the university to oversee activities of the young blood in their party.
UYD MAK chapter is a consistent political powerhouse in the guild affairs of Makerere University with a record of a number of former guild presidents linked or attached to it including Ivan Katta, Ivan Bwowe and most recently Roy Ssembogga in the past 5 years.
The chapter also boasts of a strong Guild Representative Council (GRC) Caucus that has been the majority over the years.
“Power is not the end game – atleast that has never been our strategy. What is important is what you do with the power!” Dr. Ssemogerere told the students in his speech.
He called upon the students to always front their struggles with ideology and reasonable cause instead of just the goal of “attaining power.”
“Look at Dr. Ben Kiwanuka for instance. He handed over power to Dr. Obote even amidst clear circumstamces of an unfair electoral process. It is not that he couldn’t contest the election and fight but he was guided by principles of good will and peace. That is why, regardless of the flaws, he handed over peacefully.”
The former Party Chairman called upon the students to emulate countrymen like Dr. Kiwanuka.
The 1996 presidential contender also called upon the students to address their minds to issues of ideology and most especially the Germany Constitution and its approach to the concept of separation of powers to check dictatorships and absolutism.
The chapter also used the opportunity to put to the media the plight of Chad opposition politician Ibni who has been imprisoned for political reasons in his country with a “Justice for Ibni” banner.
At the handover ceremony, Steven Nuwagira from the School of Law handed over the position of chapter chairman to Trevor Simon Matovu of the College of Natural Sciences.
Nakazzi Hadijah, Roy Rugumayo and Ian Solomon Obbo also took up positions of Vice Chairperson, Speaker and General Secretary respectively.
Also present at the function was Veteran Politician and former Masaka South Member of Parliament Hon. Henry Bazzira Ssewanyana and former Makerere guild president Roy Ssemboga.
