Guild elections for the 2024/2025 academic year for Kyambogo University have been suspended indefinitely. The University has also instituted an adhoc committee to investigate the conduct of the electoral process and the earlier petitions by candidates challenging the conduct of the exercise.
A letter from the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Eli Katunguka Rwakishaya to all students dated 25th October 2024 said the decision to suspend the elections was reached in a top management meeting on 23rd October, during which an earlier report from the Dean of Students and Chief Security Officer regarding the electoral process was considered.
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One of the outstanding reasons cited by the Vice Chancellor for the suspension is the fact that three presidential candidates were disqualified three days to election date, leading one of them to seek redress from the High Court.
“There were delays in submission of information relating to details of aspirants to facilitate printing of ballot papers, making it impossible to hold the elections as scheduled,” the VC’s suspension letter reads in part.
He adds; “There was an internal conflict within the Electoral Commission that had led to the dismissal of the secretary to the EC and one commissioner, a few days to the general elections.
A caretaker committee was appointed in pursuance of Article 7 Clause 4 of the Guild constitution to ensure smooth running of the guild activities until such a time when the elections will take place.
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The VC however noted that the academic calendar remains unaffected by the changes in election, and that examinations will proceed as programmed.
The letter was copied to the Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Finance and Administration, the University Secretary, the Dean of Students, all deans and Directors of faculties, the Public Relations Officer and the Chief Security Officer.
It was also copied to the Guild President and the Chairperson of the Guild electoral commission.
The VC’s letter suspending the guild elections come after a day when the Executive Secretary of the Uganda National Students Association (UNSA) Toskin Cherukut petitioned Prof. Katunguka in a letter dated October 23, accusing Kyambogo University management of causing delay of the elections through frustrating procurement of ballot papers by stifling delivery by service providers.
Cherukut’s letter cited a meeting on 17th October 2024 engineered by the Dean of Students Mugume Bridget and the University Secretary Arthur Katongole, and attended by outgoing guild leaders, which meeting is said to have okayed undue postponement of the elections twice, from the scheduled 10th October to 17th October, and then to 22nd October.
Despite several letters, the letter further stated, the VC’s office had failed to address the issue, which has in effect occasioned to loss of time for studying, other resources involved in preparation for elections, plus generation of anguish due to unwarranted postponement.
“This being a national body, we hereby guide that management provides material and supports the EC to hold elections with immediate effect, call a stakeholders’ meeting involving the EC and candidates, and to address the above raised issues to avoid mistrust,” Cherukut said.