Six cleared to contest for Gulu University guild presidency

________________ 

Six candidates have been cleared to contest for the 25th guild president seat at Gulu University, with no female student expressing interest in the top position.

The cleared candidates include Fred Okot Kidega from the Faculty of Business, Pius Onekgiu from the Faculty of Education, Fahad Aziz from the Faculty of Law, Dickens Okwir from the Faculty of Business, Muhindo Shadad from the Faculty of Medicine, and Tumusiime Emmanuel Treasure, also from the Faculty of Business.

The election is scheduled for April 18, 2026, and will be conducted on a Saturday to allow participation of both weekend and weekday students.

Only 6,000 fully registered and enrolled students will be eligible to vote.

In addition to the presidential race, there has been strong competition for positions in the Guild Representative Council (GRC), with multiple nominees across various student categories, including postgraduate, privately sponsored, and students with special needs.

Each faculty will elect two representatives, while one representative will be elected to represent female students.

Warning against political interference

Political parties and national politicians have been cautioned against interfering in student politics.

The caution was delivered by Dan Tumusabe, the guild speaker of the 24th government and the returning officer, shortly after the official nomination of candidates.

He emphasised that the guild electoral process is strictly non-partisan and must remain free from external political influence.

“We do not expect interference from political parties or politicians. The guild body is non-partisan and should be left to students,” he said, urging contestants to conduct peaceful and issue-based campaigns.

Election reforms

Election officials say new measures have been introduced to guarantee a free and fair process following disputes that characterised previous guild elections. The reforms are aimed at enhancing transparency and minimising conflicts among candidates.

Speaking on the electoral reforms, returning officer Tumusabe said virtual voting has been scrapped for students unable to attend in person.

The system had been used in the previous election but attracted criticism from several losing candidates, who later petitioned the guild to nullify the virtual votes, arguing that voters had not been adequately prepared for the new system.

During the nomination process, the electoral commission also introduced a one-way access route to the nomination centre to prevent candidates and their supporters from meeting on their way back, a situation that had previously led to clashes between rival camps.

Candidates outline priorities

As campaigns begin, candidates have started unveiling their agendas. Fred Okot Kidega has pledged to serve with humility, while Pius Onekgiu aims to mobilise financial support for students struggling with tuition.

Dickens Okwir, on his part, has vowed to address academic concerns, particularly fairness and accountability in grading systems.

University authorities have called on students and candidates to remain disciplined and focus on student-centred issues rather than partisan politics.

The upcoming election is seen as a crucial moment in shaping student leadership at Gulu University, with expectations that the elected leaders will address key concerns such as academic welfare, financial challenges, and effective representation.