Parties fight for Makerere
Mar 05, 2010
Major political parties have shifted their guns to the Makerere University guild presidential race, setting the pace for next year’s general elections. The campaigns kicked off on Tuesday at the University Hall grounds. The race attracted Uganda’s major political parties; NRM, DP and FDC. This y
Major political parties have shifted their guns to the Makerere University guild presidential race, setting the pace for next year’s general elections. The campaigns kicked off on Tuesday at the University Hall grounds. The race attracted Uganda’s major political parties; NRM, DP and FDC. This year’s campaigns have attracted nine contestants four of them from parties, while five are independents. Rehemah Namukose and Phionah Katushabe report
Grace Ruto, Independent
The only female in the race, Ruto has been part of the outgoing guild council. “I am inspired by Hilary Clinton because she is a family woman and at the same time a politician,†she said.
Though Ruto is an independent candidate, she is a DP supporter. She missed the primaries because she was out of the country. Not wanting to be left out, she registered as an Independent. “I am standing for pragmatic students’ autonomy and I am funding myself although some funds are from Harvard University, where I have been.†She believes being independent will not affect her candidature.
Dennis Pato, Independent
He a second year Social Science student. He has had leadership positions in Kyambogo College and believes those who stand on party tickets are promoting their parties not students’issues.
Simon Kamau, Independent
Kamau is an international student who has won the hearts of many at Makerere. He is a third year Law student and outgoing president of the Faculty of Law. He says Makerere needs genuine leaders to address students’ interests.
John Teira, nrm
Teira, a third year Law student, was the head prefect Busoga High School, Kamuli and chairman Basoga Nsette (an association of Basoga students) and the speaker for the NRM cadres’ task force at the university. He believes this experience positions him well for the guild leadership.
Although he is standing as an NRM candidate, Teira does not want to base on the fact. “I want to identify with the students with or without the party support. That is why I have began my campaign without funds though I have asked for them.†The NRM party has not done well in past elections, but Teira hopes to turn this around. He argues that NRM has the biggest number of supporters at the campus and with other achievements like the students loan scheme, which was approved recently, it can win. “I intend to address the problems the students face like the poor infrasture. For example, in Nsibrwa Hall, we have a student who is disabled and he crawls to the flooded bathrooms to shower.â€
Otteran Tayebwa, FDC
This is a second year Information Technology student (IT), a speaker at the IT Faculty and deputy speaker for the faculties and general assembly. Tayebwa says his humble background helps him identify the students’ problems.
“My inspiration has to do with students of Makerere,†he said. He wants to fight for students’ concerns like poor infrasture, the poor meals, fees increments and payment issues among others. “We would rather stop implementation of bad decisions instead of demonstrating against unfavourable policies.â€
Peter Musangala, Independent
A strong supporter of FDC and third year Law student, Musangala believes the problems of Makerere affect students of all parties and that is why he has chosen to stand as an Independent. He has participated in various demonstrations at campus. “Our last guild betrayed the students but I want to be a guild president with a difference. I want to involve the students in this leadership,†he said.that by identifying with the students and getting them on board, the problems of the university can be solved by dialogue.
Shaban Ssenkubuge, DP
He is a second year student of education and outgoing speaker of the Uganda Young Democrats. The outspoken activist promises to defend the rights of students. “I am concerned about the fact that the council passes policies without the consent of students,†he said.
Ssenkubuge is one of the five students who were listed for expulsion over a demonstration in November but he petitioned the Senate and won the case.
He beams with hope because DP has strong roots at Makerere.
His party has won four of the last six guild races. With funding from Austria and the Japanese Young Democrats, Ssenkubuge hopes to win.
Dennis Enap Adim, UPC
He is a second year Economics student and an outgoing guild representative. He was a head prefect at Busoga College Mwiri. “I am standing under UPC because it is a party of the common people. I have not got any funding. It will be up to them to support me if they wish but I know the cost of serving students.†Adim hopes to convince students that the party has started a new chapter. Students, he argues, should look at the future and not the past.
Fred Wamanghe, Independent
Wamanghe is a second year IT student. He is the outgoing vice-chairman of MUK Kanjuki students’ association. “I believe in unity and restoring a sense of responsibility among the students. Since all students are equal, I will promote the same.â€
2000/2001 Asumani Basalirwa JEEMA
2001/2002 Fred Mukasa Mbidde DP
2002/2003 Okema Dennis –UPC
2003/2004 Yusuf Kiranda –JEEMA
2004/2005 Ssenkubuge Mukasa DP
2005/2006 Maurice Tibalya –DP
2006/2007 Gerald Karuhanga FDC
2007/2008 Susan Abbo –DP
2008/2009 Robert Rutaro –NRM
2009/2010 Robert okware –DP
Grace Ruto, Independent
The only female in the race, Ruto has been part of the outgoing guild council. “I am inspired by Hilary Clinton because she is a family woman and at the same time a politician,†she said.
Though Ruto is an independent candidate, she is a DP supporter. She missed the primaries because she was out of the country. Not wanting to be left out, she registered as an Independent. “I am standing for pragmatic students’ autonomy and I am funding myself although some funds are from Harvard University, where I have been.†She believes being independent will not affect her candidature.
Dennis Pato, Independent
He a second year Social Science student. He has had leadership positions in Kyambogo College and believes those who stand on party tickets are promoting their parties not students’issues.
Simon Kamau, Independent
Kamau is an international student who has won the hearts of many at Makerere. He is a third year Law student and outgoing president of the Faculty of Law. He says Makerere needs genuine leaders to address students’ interests.
John Teira, nrm
Teira, a third year Law student, was the head prefect Busoga High School, Kamuli and chairman Basoga Nsette (an association of Basoga students) and the speaker for the NRM cadres’ task force at the university. He believes this experience positions him well for the guild leadership.
Although he is standing as an NRM candidate, Teira does not want to base on the fact. “I want to identify with the students with or without the party support. That is why I have began my campaign without funds though I have asked for them.†The NRM party has not done well in past elections, but Teira hopes to turn this around. He argues that NRM has the biggest number of supporters at the campus and with other achievements like the students loan scheme, which was approved recently, it can win. “I intend to address the problems the students face like the poor infrasture. For example, in Nsibrwa Hall, we have a student who is disabled and he crawls to the flooded bathrooms to shower.â€
Otteran Tayebwa, FDC
This is a second year Information Technology student (IT), a speaker at the IT Faculty and deputy speaker for the faculties and general assembly. Tayebwa says his humble background helps him identify the students’ problems.
“My inspiration has to do with students of Makerere,†he said. He wants to fight for students’ concerns like poor infrasture, the poor meals, fees increments and payment issues among others. “We would rather stop implementation of bad decisions instead of demonstrating against unfavourable policies.â€
Peter Musangala, Independent
A strong supporter of FDC and third year Law student, Musangala believes the problems of Makerere affect students of all parties and that is why he has chosen to stand as an Independent. He has participated in various demonstrations at campus. “Our last guild betrayed the students but I want to be a guild president with a difference. I want to involve the students in this leadership,†he said.that by identifying with the students and getting them on board, the problems of the university can be solved by dialogue.
Shaban Ssenkubuge, DP
He is a second year student of education and outgoing speaker of the Uganda Young Democrats. The outspoken activist promises to defend the rights of students. “I am concerned about the fact that the council passes policies without the consent of students,†he said.
Ssenkubuge is one of the five students who were listed for expulsion over a demonstration in November but he petitioned the Senate and won the case.
He beams with hope because DP has strong roots at Makerere.
His party has won four of the last six guild races. With funding from Austria and the Japanese Young Democrats, Ssenkubuge hopes to win.
Dennis Enap Adim, UPC
He is a second year Economics student and an outgoing guild representative. He was a head prefect at Busoga College Mwiri. “I am standing under UPC because it is a party of the common people. I have not got any funding. It will be up to them to support me if they wish but I know the cost of serving students.†Adim hopes to convince students that the party has started a new chapter. Students, he argues, should look at the future and not the past.
Fred Wamanghe, Independent
Wamanghe is a second year IT student. He is the outgoing vice-chairman of MUK Kanjuki students’ association. “I believe in unity and restoring a sense of responsibility among the students. Since all students are equal, I will promote the same.â€
2000/2001 Asumani Basalirwa JEEMA
2001/2002 Fred Mukasa Mbidde DP
2002/2003 Okema Dennis –UPC
2003/2004 Yusuf Kiranda –JEEMA
2004/2005 Ssenkubuge Mukasa DP
2005/2006 Maurice Tibalya –DP
2006/2007 Gerald Karuhanga FDC
2007/2008 Susan Abbo –DP
2008/2009 Robert Rutaro –NRM
2009/2010 Robert okware –DP