Makerere sets up ad hoc committee to investigate guild campaigns

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Makerere University Council meeting held hours after a student from Uganda Christian University, Bewotti Batungura, 27, was stabbed to death during the 88th guild campaigns, has set up a six member ad hoc committee to review all operations of students’ leadership.

Lorna Magara, the Council chairperson said the committee will among other things conduct a comprehensive review of the Makerere University students’ guild constitution.

Magara named the appointed members of the review committee as Associate Professor Helen Nambalirwa Nkabala who will serve as the chairperson. Others members are Daniel Fred Kidega, Eng. Dr. S. P Kagoda, Associate Prof Sarah Ssali, Bruce Balaba Kabaasa and John Chris Ninsiima.

The team according to Magara, will in a one-month period avail Makerere University Council with an interim report. Magara further explained that the council also resolved to terminate the electoral process of the 88th guild leadership, suspend all activities of senior common room, caretaker government, guild leadership structures including brigades and other unauthorized groups at the University.

“The select committee will evaluate the internal processes of conducting guild elections, investigate the conduct of hall wardens and custodians in the enforcement of University regulations regarding the management of students halls of residence,” Magara said.

Batungura met his death when clashes between Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and National Unity Platform -NUP broke out hours before guild elections that had been slated for 15th July, 2022. It is alleged that the deceased was severally stabbed in the neck and chest thus bleeding to death. It is reported that Batungura had joined his FDC counterparts at Makerere to rally support for his old-time friend Tukamushaba who was the party’s flagbearer.

Students who preferred anonymity said Batungura rushed to Nsibirwa bathroom to wash himself as blood profusely oozed from his neck. It was from Nsibirwa that his colleagues with the help of police rushed him to the University’s hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Assistant Superintendent of Police-ASP Luke Owoyesigyire, has since issued a statement indicating that some suspects who include Frank Kabuye, the Kassanda Constituency MP, Ssekidde Allan and Muzafaru Kabuurwa have since been arrested to help in investigating the Thursday night fatal scuffle.

“Efforts are underway to have other suspects traced,” ASP Owoyesigyire said.

Police have added that MP Kabuye is detained at Kampala Central Police Station-CPS, Ssekidde is detained at Wandegeya police station while Kabuurwa is being held at Old Kampala police station.

Magara also says that other areas for investigations by the selected committee will be assessing the role of the police in providing security in students activities at the University, investigating external influences in students’ activities, and any other matters incidental to the committee’s mandate.

Above all, the University Council has banned all future physical guild elections at the University. Going forward, students leaders will be virtually voted. This has been decided even before the committee starts its work and regardless of what its recommendations will be.

Students who will be found culpable for the deadly skirmishes will be dealt with according to University’s disciplinary procedures.

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URN