Why Namazzi won Kyambogo guild presidency
Apr 12, 2011
SHE started her leadership journey five years ago when she was still in secondary school and served as a head prefect, for two years, at Namirembe Hill Side High School.
By Brian Mayanja
SHE started her leadership journey five years ago when she was still in secondary school and served as a head prefect, for two years, at Namirembe Hill Side High School.
This is what has defined the leadership career of the 21-year–old Olive Namazzi, the new guild president of Kyambogo University.
Speaking like an experienced politician, who has either served in Parliament for many years or contested for the presidency, Namazzi was very assertive at every rally.
Some political analysts at the campus compared her speech at her final rally to that of US President Barack Obama, when he was campaigning in 2008.
Being an orator, Namazzi packaged her message very well.
“I won because I was the only candidate who put much emphasis on releasing examination results on time,†the soft-talking Namazzi says.
Namazzi, the only woman in the guild race, beat eight other candidates. She garnered 2,708 votes, beating her closest contender, Paul Mbabazi, who had 1,791votes.
The second year student of Bachelor of Environmental Science says her first task will be to put the university administration on task to start working on the students’ demands.
Her turning point
Namazzi’s leadership stint started in S.5, when she beat three other contenders to the post of head prefect.
“Since I met Olive at Namirembe Hill Side High School, her dream has been to lead others,†Joan Namukasa, a student observes.
Micheal Mugobya, who has known Namazzi since her first year at the university, said she is a courageous person.
“She is also helpful once you tell her your problem,†Mugobya adds.
Namazzi’s campaign slogan was “Our power lies in our ability to decide.â€
Some students attribute her victory to this slogan because it moved the crowds.
Namazzi, the last born of five children, is the centre of her family’s pride because her elder brothers know her as an intelligent person.
She admires her father who has been her role model, and is also inspired by Winnie Byanyima, a former MP and now a UN diplomat and wife of Forum for Democratic Change president Kizza Besigye.
Though she is pursuing a science course, Namazzi, who also attended Sseeta Parents School and Namirembe Hill Side High School enjoys reading political novels.
Nevertheless, her leadership skills will be tested in an institution which has recently faced strikes over poor sanitation and delay to release examination results.
The legacy she will leave behind will depend on her capability to fight corruption.
SHE started her leadership journey five years ago when she was still in secondary school and served as a head prefect, for two years, at Namirembe Hill Side High School.
This is what has defined the leadership career of the 21-year–old Olive Namazzi, the new guild president of Kyambogo University.
Speaking like an experienced politician, who has either served in Parliament for many years or contested for the presidency, Namazzi was very assertive at every rally.
Some political analysts at the campus compared her speech at her final rally to that of US President Barack Obama, when he was campaigning in 2008.
Being an orator, Namazzi packaged her message very well.
“I won because I was the only candidate who put much emphasis on releasing examination results on time,†the soft-talking Namazzi says.
Namazzi, the only woman in the guild race, beat eight other candidates. She garnered 2,708 votes, beating her closest contender, Paul Mbabazi, who had 1,791votes.
The second year student of Bachelor of Environmental Science says her first task will be to put the university administration on task to start working on the students’ demands.
Her turning point
Namazzi’s leadership stint started in S.5, when she beat three other contenders to the post of head prefect.
“Since I met Olive at Namirembe Hill Side High School, her dream has been to lead others,†Joan Namukasa, a student observes.
Micheal Mugobya, who has known Namazzi since her first year at the university, said she is a courageous person.
“She is also helpful once you tell her your problem,†Mugobya adds.
Namazzi’s campaign slogan was “Our power lies in our ability to decide.â€
Some students attribute her victory to this slogan because it moved the crowds.
Namazzi, the last born of five children, is the centre of her family’s pride because her elder brothers know her as an intelligent person.
She admires her father who has been her role model, and is also inspired by Winnie Byanyima, a former MP and now a UN diplomat and wife of Forum for Democratic Change president Kizza Besigye.
Though she is pursuing a science course, Namazzi, who also attended Sseeta Parents School and Namirembe Hill Side High School enjoys reading political novels.
Nevertheless, her leadership skills will be tested in an institution which has recently faced strikes over poor sanitation and delay to release examination results.
The legacy she will leave behind will depend on her capability to fight corruption.