Makerere University Resolves To Terminate This Year’s Guild Elections After Death Of Student During Campaigns, Bans Physical Elections In Future
One other resolution reached at by the University Council is the banning of physical elections at the University - any future elections shall be virtual.
Makerere University Council has this morning among the many resolutions reached at after an emergency meeting resolved to terminate this year’s electoral process of the 88th Students Guild leadership.
The meeting that sat in the Rotary Peace Centre also suspended the Student’s Guild and Senior Common Room including the Caretaker Government and all Guild leadership structures.
Also banned are brigades and other unauthorized groups or organizations at the University with immediate effect.
The Council also appointed a Select Committee that will review the Students Guild operations. It will review the Student Guild’s constitution, evaluate the internal process of conducting Guild elections and investigate the conduct of Hall Wardens and Custodians.
The Select Committee will also assess the role of police in providing security during students’ activities at the University, investigate external influence in students’ activities and address any other matters incidental to the committee’s mandate.
The committee will be chaired by Assoc. Prof. Helen Nambalirwa with Rt. Hon. Daniel Fed Kidega, Eng. Dr. S.P. Kagoda, Assoc. Prof. Sarah Ssali, Mr. Bruce Balaba Kabaasa and Mr. John Chris Ninsima as members.
The committee has been given one month from today to provide an interim report to the University Council.
One other resolution reached at by the University Council is the banning of physical elections at the University – any future elections shall be virtual.
Yesterday at the University Rugby grounds, a fracas between student supporters of NUP and FDC Guild President Candidates ensued and resulted into the death of a one Batungura Bewotti, 27, a student of law at Uganda Christian University Kampala Campus.
It is not yet known what Batungura, a non-student of Makerere University was doing there. He has been a resident of Kikoni Zone B, Makerere 3 Parish Kawempe Division in Kampala was murdered.
Police has since arrested three suspects including Frank Kabuye, a member of parliament representing National Unity Platform (NUP).
“We have arrested three people whom we believe were part of the chaos. These are; Hon. Kabuye Frank who is detained at CPS Kampala, Ssekidde Allan currently detained at Wandegeya police station and Kabuurwa Muzafaru who is detained at old Kampala police station,” a statement by police said.
“Efforts are underway to have other suspects traced. Meanwhile, it is also alleged that the fight was between the NUP and FDC Political factions. The NUP team led by Kabuye Frank turned violent after a disagreement, leading to the stabbing,” the statement signed off by ASP Luke Oweyesigire, the PRO Kampala Metropolitan Police added.
