We are in for quiet polls
Mar 11, 2011
TODAY is election day at Makerere University. Usually by now, we would be deaf from the loud, annoying music and the campaigners’ yells of “Wee wee!! <br>
By Edith Namuganga
TODAY is election day at Makerere University. Usually by now, we would be deaf from the loud, annoying music and the campaigners’ yells of “Wee wee!!
Eh winning oyee! Aloo!,†but for some reason, most of the university has just realised we are voting this week and we still have a few students who do not know who is running for president.
There are usually rallies complete with wanna-be artistes singing their latest compositions in praise of one candidate or another and colorful phrases like “gallant Makerereansâ€, fellow intellectuals†and several other pompous words, with a few sensible speeches thrown in there for good measure.
But we have not had so many rallies this time. If we have, they have been quieter than usual.
Then there are the colourful posters and slogans, let me give you a few that are winners: “The Man Jr.â€, “The political Baibeâ€, this must be the most misguided slogan of all, since right below that is our guild president-to-be, looking young and fresh-faced, quite the baby I should say.
Then there is â€The Political Vanguard†with the candidate looking quite fierce on the poster. The elections on campus have gone through many changes through the years, from posters and announcements written on manila paper, to Facebook pages dedicated to campaigning and informing voters of their candidates’ promises and soliciting for support. There are also text messages and phone calls asking for votes.
Logistics have become an expected part of the elections; anything from airtime, free drinks, money, sweets, free meals, entertainment, anything that will get the candidate noticed. During this time, candidates remember to be courteous to the ladies.
Speaking of ladies, we do not to have any ladies running for Guild President as was the case in the last elections, in which two ladies run for the presidency.
Word has it that the guys only voted for one of them because she was quite pretty. It is obvious that no one has started taking the ladies seriously so they only seem to add colour to the whole process.
We have seen the university guild presidency producing some prominent politicians like Olara Otunu, Nobert Mao, Tumusiime Mutebile and others, which would probably explain the public interest in the Makerere guild elections.
As usual, we have candidates running on different party tickets, complete with the weight of the party behind them. The elections draw big politicians like Erias Lukwago and Nobert Mao to speak at rallies and put their weight behind the candidates.
The public’s response has not been as great because, according to one of the candidates: “The country is fatigued from all the campaigns that have lasted for months.†Maybe that means we are in for a quiet election season for Makerere University this time round.
TODAY is election day at Makerere University. Usually by now, we would be deaf from the loud, annoying music and the campaigners’ yells of “Wee wee!!
Eh winning oyee! Aloo!,†but for some reason, most of the university has just realised we are voting this week and we still have a few students who do not know who is running for president.
There are usually rallies complete with wanna-be artistes singing their latest compositions in praise of one candidate or another and colorful phrases like “gallant Makerereansâ€, fellow intellectuals†and several other pompous words, with a few sensible speeches thrown in there for good measure.
But we have not had so many rallies this time. If we have, they have been quieter than usual.
Then there are the colourful posters and slogans, let me give you a few that are winners: “The Man Jr.â€, “The political Baibeâ€, this must be the most misguided slogan of all, since right below that is our guild president-to-be, looking young and fresh-faced, quite the baby I should say.
Then there is â€The Political Vanguard†with the candidate looking quite fierce on the poster. The elections on campus have gone through many changes through the years, from posters and announcements written on manila paper, to Facebook pages dedicated to campaigning and informing voters of their candidates’ promises and soliciting for support. There are also text messages and phone calls asking for votes.
Logistics have become an expected part of the elections; anything from airtime, free drinks, money, sweets, free meals, entertainment, anything that will get the candidate noticed. During this time, candidates remember to be courteous to the ladies.
Speaking of ladies, we do not to have any ladies running for Guild President as was the case in the last elections, in which two ladies run for the presidency.
Word has it that the guys only voted for one of them because she was quite pretty. It is obvious that no one has started taking the ladies seriously so they only seem to add colour to the whole process.
We have seen the university guild presidency producing some prominent politicians like Olara Otunu, Nobert Mao, Tumusiime Mutebile and others, which would probably explain the public interest in the Makerere guild elections.
As usual, we have candidates running on different party tickets, complete with the weight of the party behind them. The elections draw big politicians like Erias Lukwago and Nobert Mao to speak at rallies and put their weight behind the candidates.
The public’s response has not been as great because, according to one of the candidates: “The country is fatigued from all the campaigns that have lasted for months.†Maybe that means we are in for a quiet election season for Makerere University this time round.