By Patrick Jaramogi

MAKERERE University is set to ban political parties from getting involved in guild elections, the Dean of Students, John Ekudu, said recently.

“Political parties have caused divisions among students. The guild does not represent the interests of students but those of the political parties which they subscribe to,” said Ekudu at a public dialogue held at the Senate building.

The dialogue, organised by the faculty of social sciences and funded by the Norwegian government, sought to decide if political parties should be outlawed from guild elections.

“The students have recommended that we ban parties from participating in the guild elections. When we get a written recommendation from them, we shall do so,” said Ekudu.

He noted that students need to vote leaders who are objective.

Robert Okware, the out-going guild president who stood on a democratic party ticket, said allowing political parties to meddle in guild elections destroys the integrity of students.

“I was elected as guild president for Makerere University but we faced a hard time because all that we planned to do was blocked because we are part of the opposition. Parties should be banned from Makerere.”

The social sciences faculty dean, Prof. Edward Kirumira, urged the students to vote leaders of integrity.