A tightly contested election marred with violent arrests and multiple candidates withdrawing has seen the Academic Registrar, Prof Mukadasi Buyinza announce George Turyamureeba Mugabi as the overall winner of the hotly contested coveted seat.

While other candidates withdrew citing an unfair level playing field, one candidate who is also a Makerere University employee, Otim Lynd Tom decided to tussle the top with Mugabi who appeared to have stronger support.

Turyamureeba started canvassing for his votes as early as June and had an organised team that constantly kept its voters abreast with the upcoming election.

Turyamureeba has worked at the academic institution for more than 15 years and this could have given him an edge. This close working relationship influenced university staff members to turn up and vote for him.

His team also had a diverse cabinet which saw Ruto Cherotich Grace take the position of Vice Chairperson unopposed, Tanga Collins son of Dr Tanga Odoi take Publicity Secretary after tussling it out with Mwanje Simon and Muaso Brian for Treasurer.

An early start gave Turyamureeba the lead as he started campaigns in June but also the violent arrests of alumni resulting in strong candidate withdrawals of Gerald Karuhanga a former Guild President and former Western Youth region MP also gave him a free path to glide to success unhindered. 

In his campaign agenda, Turyamureeba promised to boost research and innovations, create employment opportunity bureau, form Makerere University convocation chapter globally, an alumni employment nurturing hub, digitisation of the Makerere University certification process, career growth and enhancing the welfare of alumni.

Why the convocation is important

Every student that graduates at Makerere University pays sh10,000 as the convocation fee, but that is just membership according to Dr Tanga Odoi the outgoing Chairperson of Makerere University Convocation, “ to graduate you pay membership but to join the convocation you pay subscription which distinguishes you from a member.”

Through these memberships, the convocation collects millions of shillings through students and alumni who were compelled to subscribe in order to vote their favorite candidates.

72-year-old, Dr Charles Wana-Etyem a former chairperson of the Makerere University Convocation who graduated in 1976, the same date President Idi Amin was awarded a doctorate suspects the total number of alumni may be more than half a million. Wana-Etyem who could have been the only elderly academic in his 70s also attended the annual general meeting and was eager to vote.

If one multiplies sh500,000 by the sh10,000 annually then the convocation would simply walk away with sh5b.

In addition to the fees, the Makerere University convocation has prime land in Katanga that is being contested.

According to Tanga, an opinion by attorney emphasised that his administration will stay in  office until April 2023 when they will hand over to the new administration.