Kyambogo University expels Guild president Akiso over campus riots

KAMPALA - Kyambogo University on Thursday, July 3, 2025, dismissed Benjamin Akiso, the Guild President, accusing him of breach of peace and insubordination.

Kyambogo Vice Chancellor Prof. Eli Katunguka said that the institution's disciplinary committee established that Akiso "breached peace, mounted road blocks and was insubordinate to the University Authority." 

In a letter to Akiso dated July 3, 2025, the VC stated, “Reference is made to the disciplinary hearing  where you appeared in person before the students affairs and welfare committee on the charge of; breach of peace contrary to regulation 20 (a) of Kyambogo University Students Regulations 2003 as a mended in 2016; mounting roadblocks contrary to regulation 19 (b) of the Kyambogo University Students Regulations 2003 as a mended in 2016; and insubordination to the university authority contrary to regulation 18 and 15 (c) of Kyambogo University Students Regulations 2003 as a mended in 2016,”

Prof. Katunguka noted that, “after the hearing of the case, the student’s affairs and welfare committee findings are that you breached peace, mounted road blocks, and you were insubordinate to the University authority as per the university’s student regulations.”

He revealed that at the 111nth meeting of the University council held on June 27, 2025, “the university council received and considered a report from the student’s affairs and welfare committee which recommended that you should be dismissed from the university as provided for under Regulation 37(b)  of the Kyambogo University Students Regulations 2003 as a mended in 2016.”

“The University Council agreed with the student affairs and welfare committee recommendation and dismissed you from the University as provided for under sections 41 of Kyambogo University Regulation as amended in 2016. This is therefore to notify you of the University Council decision dismissing you from Kyambogo University,” Katunguka added.

He directed that, “to that effect, you are prohibited from attending academic and extracurricular activities, using any university facilities or making any representation on behalf of Kyambogo University Students Guild or the University.”

However, National Unity Platform (NUP) leader Robert Kyagulanyi, whose party, Akiso, won the guild race, condemned the move by the university and said they would explore legal remedies

In March this year, Akiso, who was the NUP candidate, was declared the 21st Guild President of Kyambogo University after securing victory in the highly contested elections. 

Akiso polled 3,585 votes, beating his closest rival, Tony Bwete, who garnered 2,340 votes, while Emmanuel Andama finished third with 1,103 votes.

This would not be the first time a student leader has faced the wrath of top university officials. In September 2024, Makerere University threatened members of the student guild with dismissal over their opposition to the university's fees policy.

In September 2024, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, the Vice Chancellor Makerere University, wrote warning letters to student leaders over the opposition to fees increment. Among those who received the letter was the Guild Representative Councillor (GRC) for the school of medicine, Joseph Nsamba.

“This warning letter is written to you in relation to your engagement in acts of indiscipline. My office has learned that on Saturday, September 9, 2024, at around 1:00 am, you, Nsamba, in company of other students yet to be identified, participated in planning and mobilising your fellow students to participate in acts that are disruptive in nature. The acts allegedly committed include organising to hold a demonstration against the university fees policy and inciting other students to take unlawful action. This behaviour contravenes the Makerere University Rules and Regulations, 2015, Section 8 (9) (a) and (b) iii,” Prof. Nawangwe stated

Prof. Nawangwe told Nsamba that his opposition to the fees policy could have serious negative consequences not only on his leadership but also on his studies and future profession.

“Therefore, I hereby serve you the first and final warning against such mischievous behaviour, and you are advised to adhere strictly to the policy guidelines regulating student conduct while at the university, failure of which may result in further corrective action up to and including dismissal,” Nawangwe’s letter concludes.

In another case, Makerere University in 1996 dismissed 35 students, including the Guild President Remmy Galogitho, after a violent strike.