NRM wins Kyambogo guild presidential election

By Eddie Ssejjoba

KAMPALA - Student supporters of the NRM party exploded into wild celebrations Thursday night after their candidate Ian Kafuko was declared winner of the Kyambogo University guild presidential race.

With 3,340 votes, Kafuko beat his closest challenger, Julius Nsubuga of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party who collected 2,774.

Democratic Party’s Proscovia Nantege managed a lowly 201 votes.

Earlier on Thursday, there was heavy police deployment following clashes between rival supporters. The thick security presence prevailed way into the night during the counting of the votes.
 

There was heavy police deployment at Kyambogo University. (Photo credit: Eddie Ssejjoba)

Kaberamaido County MP Dr. Omona Kenneth Olusegun led a group of NRM legislators that had camped at Kyambogo University for some days and started celebrating with student supporters when provisional results trickled in placing them in the lead.

“We have been neglecting these young people for some time and they have been dominated by FDC who have been confusing them, but now we have come up strongly to engage them and we want to help them benefit from the gains of the NRM leadership,” he said.

The lawmaker said they will ensure Kafuko helps fellow students and the administration solve students’ issues amicably.

“He should be sensitive to students’ issues to avoid strikes. We want to help these young people mobilize themselves and appreciate the NRM achievements. This part is now for young people although we had neglected them for a long time.”
 

Kaberamaido County MP Dr. Omona Kenneth Olusegun (extreme right)  celebrated with NRM supporters. (Photo credit: Eddie Ssejjoba)

After the winner was announced it was party time. (Photo credit: Eddie Ssejjoba)

Fired up by their victory, the NRM supporters celebrated trans-Thursday night. (Photo credit: Eddie Ssejjoba)

Olusegun said that after Kyambogo, they would now turn their focus on Makerere University to deal with students’ issues.

NRM supporters celebrated throughout the night as their rivals, crest-fallen, disappeared into the darkness after a hotly contested race.
 

On Wednesday, Muambe Hamidu, a first year student, was stabbed by a fellow student who was identified as Gerald Mugabi.

The police intervened and detained Mugabi and several other students but they were later released on police bond from Jinja Road police station after the intervention of the FDC president Maj Gen Mugisha Muntu and other leaders.

Muambe was rushed to hospital for treatment.