The Chairperson of the Makerere University Guild Electoral
Commission Ramadhan Kirunda warned candidates against violating the election rules ahead of the 2024 Guild elections.
According to the roadmap, the elections are scheduled to take place on March
7th.
Kirunda said that 16
candidates have been nominated for the position of Guild President.
In addition to electing the Guild President, students
will also vote for School Guild representatives, Halls Guild representatives,
College Guild council members, Chairpersons of college councils, Students Guild
Tribunal, Students Debating Union, and Students Games Union, among other
positions.
For the fourth consecutive time, Makerere University is
organizing an online election. The decision to conduct elections virtually was
introduced as a measure to regulate large gatherings and mitigate the spread of
COVID-19.
Initially perceived as a temporary solution, virtual
elections became a permanent practice after an incident involving a
Uganda Christian University student, Betungura Bewatte, who lost his life
during election campaigns in 2022.
Following this, the University council decided to enforce
a permanent ban on physical guild elections and mandated that all future
elections of student leaders be conducted online.
The University also
resolved to limit the influence of political parties in the University Guild
affairs citing concerns that political affiliations sow discord among the
student body.
This was intended to put to an end the long-term behavior
of political party leaders who went to the University during election
periods to campaign for their candidates and provide logistical support and
finances.
But, while these measures were instituted, several candidates have been
accused of violating the regulations. In response, the students have also been criticizing the
University for restricting their constitutional freedom to affiliate with political
parties of their choice.
Last year, the University’s Electoral Commission
disqualified two candidates, National Unity Platform (NUP) flag bearer Margaret
Nattabi and independent candidate Sulaiman Namwoza, for holding a “Kimeza,”
which contradicted section 10(b) of the new students’ guild statute of 2022.
Addressing journalists at the University’s Senate
building on a Friday, Kirunda, the Guild Electoral Chairperson, issued
a stern warning that any student found guilty of holding physical campaigns or
affiliating with political parties would face automatic disqualification.
//Cue in the 90th Guild
Cue out: ... the Constitution"//
Kirunda emphasized that in addition to disqualification,
any candidate found violating the Guild statute would face suspension from the
University for a minimum of one year.
//Cue in: I would also ...
Cue out: ... the regulations"//
Since opening applications in January, the Electoral
Commission received over 589 aspirants for various positions, including 22
Guild President aspirants. However, only 16 candidates were duly nominated for
the position of Guild President.
Meanwhile, since the University turned to virtual
elections, the process has been plagued by several challenges, including low
voter turnout, erratic virtual election systems, and difficulties in accessing
the voting portal. Last year, during virtual voting, some students received
messages indicating they had already cast their votes, while others encountered
error messages hindering their access to the portal.
Addressing these concerns, Kirunda assured all candidates and students that
significant improvements have been made to the election technology, which has
been thoroughly tested and proven unhackable. Additionally, Kirunda said that
they have already registered more than 30,000 voters.
Fahad Muganga
Freelancer