EDUCATION | MAKERERE | ALUMNI

KAMPALA - At least more than three Alumni have been arrested during the annual general meeting at the Makerere University convocation in preparation for the elections of new incoming members.

The arrest of the alumni was effected after a contestant Gerald Karuhanga, a former Guild President and former western region youth MP accused the present administration of Dr Tanga Odoi of failing to ensure that the voter's register was conducted with integrity to enable credible voting.

Some of the Alumina protest during the General Convocation meeting at Makerere University on Friday, December 30, 2022. (All Photos by Ivan Kabuye)

“We have very serious issues on our register,“ Karuhanga erupted when he was given the microphone to react.

More than 15 military red top security officials combined with the Uganda Police Force raided the fully packed Yusuf Lule central teaching facility auditorium through the back entrance and dragged out alumni suspected of causing chaos into a nearby waiting police patrol vehicle.

Dr. Tanga Odoi, the present Chairperson of Makerere Convocation reassured the alumni how the election will proceed, “the election will take place today.”

Alumni had at one point thrown empty bottles that had previously been served to quench their thirst during the meeting.

Some alumni who had paid the sh10,000 subscription wondered why their names were missing from the register. The missing names also had Makerere staff irritated.

“We don’t want violence,” The Academic register Prof Mukadasi Buyinza told an uneasy alumni crowd.

Police arrest some of the alleged protestors.

Dr. Tanga Odoi, the present Chairperson of Makerere Convocation reassured the alumni how the election will proceed, “the election will take place today.”

The turn-up was high from alumni with the most supported contenders for the position of Chairperson being George Turyamureeba Mugabi, Gerald Karuhanga, Charles Odongotho, Dr. Tibaingana Anthony, and Eng Bateeze Daniel.

“The process is too ugly for us to remain as candidates,” Karuhanga contesting for Chairperson told the alumni.

A Police officer calms the situation after protests.

“I have never witnessed the violence, I have seen today, a number of my voters are not on the register,” Dr. Tibangana told a charged alumni.

“Tanga is a dictator,” Odongotho said, “on behalf of my supporters I am pulling out of this race.”