PHOTO: MP Frank Kabuye (left) and Nakawa Speaker Luyombya at Makerere University yesterday to drum up support for NUP’s Dangote (in poster). Polls have been suspended
STORY BY:
MOSES MUGALULA
NEWS EDITOR MEDIA
FOLLOWING the murder in cold blood of a one Betunguura, a Law student at Uganda Christian University Mukono who had gone to solicit support for his friend Justus Tukamushaba the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) candidate for Guild President Makerere University, elections which were slated for today (Friday) have been suspended indefinitely.
Mrs. Lorna Magara, the Chairperson of Council has written to the Vice Chancellor Prof. Banarbas Nawangwe, in a letter copied to the First Lady Janet Kataha Museveni who is the minister of Education and Sports, suspending the University students Guild and the ongoing Guild elections.
Betunguura was allegedly stabbed to death by unknown people following violence in the campaigns said to be started by opposition NUP and FDC party camps.
In a two-horses race of NUP’s Lawrence Alionzi aka Dangote and FDC’s Justus Tukamushaba, supporters of each camp yesterday evening had put up a strong team to make sure they win today’s election. They started confronting each other in a very violent way, and Betunguura’s demise is linked to this violence! It’s sad!
Page 1 of Mrs. Magara’so letter
In a letter seen by this News Website, Mrs. Magara the Chairperson of Council Makerere University Kampala said; Whereas Section 40(2) (a)of the Universities and other Tertiary Institutions Act, 2001, as amended, (the Act) mandates the University Council with the responsibility for the direction of the administrative, financial and academic affairs of the University;
And whereas Section 40(2)(d) obligates the Council to do any other thing and take all necessary decisions conducive to the fulfillment of the objects and functions of the University;
And whereas Section 41(f) of the Act empowers the Council to provide for the welfare and discipline of the students!
And whereas Section 42 of the Makerere University Council Charter, 2009 empowers the Council Chairperson to take decisions on behalf of the council in extraordinary circumstances.
It is hereby noted as follows;
“Makerere University Council is appalled by the violent events that have characterised the electoral campaigns for the 88th Students Guild leadership, which resulted in the loss of life of one of the young people participating in the campaign activities.” Reads Mr. Magara’s letter to Prof. Nawangwe.
Her letter says, “The University Management and Council have repeatedly raised concerns about the persistent cases of indiscipline and violent altercations among members of the Students Guild and the Students senior Common Room, which often resulted in damage to University property and injury to University Students and staff.”
She says, Management and Council have reportedly engaged the student leaders at the Guild and SCR levels to address the violent behaviour, but the engagement have not yielded any Improvements.
She therefore directed that;
● No ongoing elections for the 88th Makerere University Students Guild Leadership are suspended indefinitely.
● The Makerere University Students Guild is suspended with immediate effect. The suspension includes The Guild Care Taker Government and the Students Common Room.
● Management shall investigate all cases of violence in the electoral campaigns for the 88th Students Guild leadership and report to the Council for appropriate action.
● The Council will convene in an emergency meeting on Friday 15th July 2022 to consider further actions to address Students indiscipline and violence at the University.
Letter was copied to; Rt. Hon. Speaker of Parliament, Deputy Speaker, Chairman Education Committee Parliament of Uganda, PS Ministry of Education and Sports, IGP, Vice Chairperson of Council, Chairperson Students Affairs Committee, Chairperson Students disciplinary committee, University Secretary and Dean of students.
Before Guild elections were suspended senior NUP leaders spent the whole of yesterday combing campus and halls of residence for votes in favour of their candidate Dangote.
Among the leaders seen at MUK was Mityana district woman Member of parliament Joyce Bagala Ntwata, Kassanda South legislator Frank Kabuye, Nakawa division council Speaker Godfrey Luyombya among others.
NUP officials had assured this news website that although campaigns were marred with intimidations and torture, their candidate Dangote whose campaign centered on improving students’ welfare, Academic excellence and progressive research, was in lead of a 14 candidates’ race.
Here at News Editor Media, we condole with the family and relatives of the late Betunguura and in the strong terms condemn such heartless acts. We pray that security arrests and prosecute whoever is behind this murder.
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