Ampeire wins BBUC guild election

Jacob Ampeire, a second year student of Mass communication, has won the Bishop Barham University College guild presidential elections.

He defeated David Kule Nzerebende, a second year student of BBA and Christopher Atukwase of BPAM.

Ampeire polled 371 and was followed by Nzerembede who got 206 votes while Atukwase came in last with 191 votes.

Ampeire was declared winner by the returning officer Ann Katungwesi, who also serves as the acting dean of students, at around 6:45pm local time Saturday.

According to Dan Owoyesiga, the BBUC electoral commission chairperson, the elections were "free and fair".

"According to the UCU Guild Constitution, anyone who obtains the highest number of votes should be declared the Guild President. I therefore ask all of you to accept the results of this election," he urged.

After being announced winner, Ampeire promised to work hard to improve the status of students at BBUC.

Ampeire's supporters jubilated his victory. (Credit: Job Namanya)

In a letter dated Nov 13, 2016 pinned on the notice boards, Ampeire thanked and congratulated the entire BBUC community for having gone through the election period successfully and challenged his opponents to join him in uniting the university.

Since its inception as a university college in 2000, Ampeire becomes the second guild president from Mass Communication after Isaac Nuwagaba who was the guild president in 2009/2010.

This election has is however, likely to be challenged by David Kule and his supporters, who say the election was not free and fair, claiming it was marred by so many irregularities.

Kule said the electoral commission had allowed non-Bishop Barham Students in the voting process.

"I don't accept the results and blame the electoral commission for letting non-university students to participate in the process. I am going to file a petition in the shortest time possible to challenge the election," said Kule.

As granted by the Uganda Christian University students constitution, Article 93 (1) and (2), "For anyone seeking  to overturn the election of the Guild President, must do it in writing, file it within three days after the election and by an aggrieved party upon gathering at least 10% signatures of the electorate."

By Monday morning, it was not clear if he had already filed the petition.

Responding to the ongoing challenge by Kule, guild president-elect Ampeire said he was not scared, but would rather work to unite the BBUC community at the time.

He also called upon his opponent to accept the declared results.