Mwotta elected Makerere University guild president

Bazil Biddemu Mwotta has been voted as the 82nd president of Makerere University in a poll that attracted 12 candidates.

According to the results announced by chairman, electoral commission Ndaula Roy on Friday night,  Mwotta led with a total of 4594 votes (36.3%) closely followed by DP's Ssemboga Roy with 4276 votes (33.6%).

Other candidates got the following votes : NsubugaUmar -463 (3.63%), Anomugisha Dick (FDC) -380 (2.89%), Mandela Nkunda (NRM) -495 (3.88%),Nviiri Sospeter -62 (0.49%),Ssekidde Nicholas -45 (0.35%),Ssenyonga Simon -1142 (8.96%),Shafik Kalyango -124 (0.97%),Kasozi Ismael -456 (4.58%),Dennis kiyingi -77 (0.60%),Luyinda Fred (Go Forward) -275 (2.16%) Brian Nassala -451 (3.54%)

Mwotta has been a member of the guild and a leader at the school of Education.

He replaces David Bala Mwiruka, whose term ended a few weeks ago.

Elections marred by violence and chaotic scenes

The elections were characterized by violence and chaotic scenes that were uncalled for.

The problem was caused by certain candidates and their supporters who had brigades or militia groups that were established before the campaigns started two weeks ago.

Chaotic scenes started during campaigns that were held at the different halls of residence. At a rally at Complex on on March, 3rd, 2016, supporters of candidates clashed as candidates campaigned.

This forced the electoral commission to ban Vuvuzelas and banners with sticks at the rallies because students were using them to hit each other.

Ndamwesigwa Ian, the spokesperson of the commission said they had no option but to ban students from coming with banners at the rallies.

"We directed the electoral commission guard brigade (ECGB), a group of students that were hired to keep law and order to make sure that the directive was enforced," he said in an interview with Saturday Vision.

 Also at a rally at Nkrumah hall, there were chaotic scenes as supporters of candidates clashed. This forced the commission to lock students inside the campaigning venue up to late evening.

No one was allowed to enter or go out of the venue as all entrances to the place were locked. Some candidates were locked out as they were not allowed to come in.

This angered some students who wanted to go out of the rallies to attend their evening lecturers.

The Final rally held at Freedom square was also characterized with violence. This was after Candidate Bazil Mwotta was denied to speak to the voters. His supporters started protesting until when police stepped in to stop the chaos.

Choas and violence didn't stop there, it continued up to the voting day (Friday). Students from all corners of the university thronged the student's guild offices as voting counting was being done.

The exercise that was supposed to end at 8:00pm went on up to 12:00 midnight.

The delayed announcement of results by the commission forced students to throw stones at students who were peacefully waiting for the final results.
 
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