Who is who in the MUK Guild campaigns

With Gerald Karukanga's guild cabinet dissolved on 18th/03/2007, tensions are increasingly getting high in Makerere University as 19 guild contestants begin promising students the sky will come near the earth for every campuser to touch.

With the elections set for this Thursday 5th April 2007, two candidates have already dropped out of the race, like UYD speaker Kiddu Julius and Mitchell hall chairman Igaba Nelson, several have lost their voices. Political parties have already endorsed their flag bearers for the race. Nevertheless, a number of independent candidates have too shown interest in the race.

Among the party contenders include; Muggaga Remi Mukuve, 22, a third year student of law and resides in Lumumba hall. He attended st Savio p/s, St Henry's college Kitovu; he is currently the chairman of FDC MUK Branch, and secretary Muk-law society. Once elected, Remi has promised "...iam going to focus on students struggling with tuition by convincing private corporations to help especially Madhivani and fight the deadline for current tuition payment.”

Democratic Party's Abbo Susan 23, third year student of law, is a resident of Africa Hall; she went through Nakigo p/s in Tororo before joining Kisoko high for O' Level and Kibibi ss in Mpigi. She is currently the speaker of Africa hall and Vice Chair person UYD MUK branch, "...iam going to embark on improving student’s welfare through setting up welfare communities at halls of residences, the allowances are too low yet costs of living are high due to high inflation rates in the country," the confident Abbo said.

Uganda Peoples Congress' Ochen Martin Odyek 23, a second year student of information technology resides in Nsibirwa hall, he attended, Ayago p/s and Comboni College in Lira district before joining St Peter's Naalya ss for A Level, He was the deputy Head prefect Comboni, " I will restore sanitation and better livelihood of Muk and making sure government doesn’t intervene in guild decisions" Ochen promised.

NRM'S Achumu Violet Engeu 21, a second year student of industrial psychology and organization, she attended Kiswa primary school, Lakeside College Luzira,she is the president Makerere University Forum For Women Empowerment, vice chairperson, Youth League Entebbe, " I will aim at publication of superb research, rehabilitation of halls of residence, blocking the privatization of halls, promotion of better administration as an organizational psychologist as well as decentralization of identity card renewal" Violet promised.

Nkusi Livingstone 23, a second year student of social science and non-resident of Mitchell hall. He attended Bishop Ssenyongo p/s before joining Nakyenyi ss and London College of St Lawrence. He is currently the publicity NRM Youth League. “Iam going to struggle for student's cause especially the pending retake fee and the six weeks’ fees policy it’s not fair" said Nkusi.

Others include independents Tayebwa Andrew 21, second year student of information technology and residing in Mitchell hall. He went through Victoria Nile p/s and Busoga College Mwiri in Jinja were he served as deputy head prefect ..."I will offer full representation of the students cause and undivided attention to students affairs"Tayebwa said.

Tugezeku Kepha 22, second year student of arts in arts, from Lumumba hall, he went through Mpumudde p/s Jinja,Iganga Progressive for O' Level before joining Lord’s Meade Vocational college. He served as Head prefect Lord's Meade and currently is the directer Rotary club of Muk. “I will bring services near to students through People by not mixing it with politics" Kepha promised.

Buteera John.Mugabe 22, second year student of social sciences and attached to Nsibirwa hall. He started his school at Nazareth p/s, Kabale ss and completed at Masaka ss. “ I am to fight party politics in MUK and strive for the students cause,” he emphasized.

Others are, Maaka Ephram doing Tourism year Two, Idambi Paul from law, Nuwabiine Jossy Bachelor of commerce, Rashid Mohammed pursuing Education,Mutyaba Steven library and information management,Isingo John Baptist, Ssenabulya Ronald, and Khafu Philip doing Education.

However several factors have always determined who to lead this desert of ignorance;

Political affiliation, in the last five years DP has enjoyed the majority support, having three of last five presidents, Mbidde Mukasa, Maurice Tibalya, are some of DP's past presidents. Nevertheless with FDC in place and having the out going president Gerald Karuhanga, it still enjoys the lion share of students support, but these two parties are bound to face stiff competition from NRM's "iron lady" Achomu Violet who has already started convincing students and has promised government support should the movement Candidate be voted. UPC on the other hand is struggling to bring back its lost glory

Oratory or power of speech, like any other institution, the command a candidate has over his language will matter. The use of quotes, parables and complicated terminologies to tease the students' mind has always worked out as Wanyama Cyrus, a 2006 guild contestant and out going foreign affairs minister recalls teasing students "We need a guild of high caliture and high Ntuntu who will always be to the almamata of the university and more so a sweet Generi because the Ejuce--dem--Generis is always the Modus operandi in Makerere in order to avoid situations of miltus-miyocus (crisis)" With the Norbert Mao's having won on the same ticket, DP's Abbo Susan, UPC's Ochen, FDC's Muggaga and NRM's Achomu are too good to secure votes out of this favor.

Finance, initially the money issue was not a key factor in MUK campaigns as candidates’ capability to convince and strive for the students' cause but of late the trend has changed the money issue is ranking among the top priorities as it is in our society where politicians even bribe to win elections. Candidates are seen in halls at night buying logistics especially spirits (tot packs). The party candidates still enjoy the big share basing on the huge amount they have received from their parties. And a few independent candidates especially Tayebwa Andrew, Nkusi Livingstone and Buteera Denis are also spending big.


The elections are scheduled to take place on this Thursday 5th April 2007. For one to vote, a student must have a valid Makerere University identity card.
“No student will be allowed to vote with out a valid identity card, and a valid identity card in this case should bear a renewal date of 2006/2007.” Said Zzavuga Ronald, the chairman Makerere University Electoral Commission.

The voting exercise will begin at 8:00AM -5:00PM in halls of residence. Medical students will vote from Galloway polling station in Mulago. The elections will be guided by the dean of students and the Makerere Electoral commission.