Makerere University has a new student leader. James Churchill Ssentamu just became the 91st guild president after taking his oath. He defeated John Bosco Rukundo, who ran for the ruling NRM party, and Ismaili Basalirwa, who carried the flag for the opposition NUP. The family runs deep in politics here - Ssentamu happens to be the nephew of NUP big shot Robert Kyagulanyi, who most people call Bobi Wine. Yet Ssentamu entered the race as an independent when he failed to grab the NUP nomination earlier.
The campus faces serious problems as Ssentamu replaces outgoing president Vincent Lubega Nsamba. Students struggle with higher tuition prices every semester. They report backdoor dealings, restrictions on academic choices, and limited rights to speak freely. Most point fingers at university officials for these headaches. Ssentamu used his first official speech to pledge action on these matters and remind everyone of his campaign promises. The deputy academic head, Prof Mukadasi Buyinza, filled in for the absent vice chancellor and urged all freshly elected student officials to reach a consensus when tackling big challenges ahead.
The campus faces serious problems as Ssentamu replaces outgoing president Vincent Lubega Nsamba. Students struggle with higher tuition prices every semester. They report backdoor dealings, restrictions on academic choices, and limited rights to speak freely. Most point fingers at university officials for these headaches. Ssentamu used his first official speech to pledge action on these matters and remind everyone of his campaign promises. The deputy academic head, Prof Mukadasi Buyinza, filled in for the absent vice chancellor and urged all freshly elected student officials to reach a consensus when tackling big challenges ahead.
