By Our Reporter
Makerere University council has suspended the election of the 88th students’ guild elections following the death of a student who was stabbed in a scuffle alleged to have been between supporters of FDC and NUP, both opposition political parties.
In a letter shared by the University Council Chairperson Lorna Magara addressed to Prof Barnabas Nawangwe and copied to the Speaker of Parliament Anita Among, her deputy Thomas Tayebwa and the First Lady, Ms Janet Museveni and others stakeholders, said the ongoing elections for Students’ leadership were suspended indefinitely
“with immediate effect” due to the violent events that have reportedly characterized the electoral campaigns.
Makerere University Council is appalled by the violent events that have characterized the electoral campaigns for the 88th Students Guild leadership, which resulted in the loss of the life of one of the young people participating in the campaign activities.
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. Management and the Council have repeatedly engaged the Student leaders at the Guild and SCR levels to address the violent behaviour, but the engagements have not yielded any improvements,” Ms Magara said.
Adding, “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.”
Thursday 14, was the last date of campaigns and elections were to be held on Friday 15, Ms Lorna says in the letter that the Council will convene in an emergency meeting on Friday, July 15, 2022 to consider further actions to address student indiscipline and violence at the University.
Ms Magara’s letter was prompted by the death of one of the students who was reportedly stabbed with a broken bottle during an alleged scuffle between supporters of opposition parties, the National Unity Platform (NUP) and the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC).
The student identified by colleagues as Michael Betungura Bewatte died at around 8:30 during the final political campaigns ahead of the guild elections that had been scheduled to take place on Friday.
Uganda Christian University Law Society, Kampala campuss has issued a statement on the incident.
“It’s with a heavy heart and deep sorrow that we’ve learnt of the demise of one of our very own Mr. Betungura Bewatte a serving member on the Law society’s Sports Committee and a student in LLB2 earlier this evening (14th July 2022).To many, he has been a friend, a brother, a class mate and a keeper. It’s in this spirit that we send our heartfelt condolences to his family, relatives and friends, but most importantly, to the LLB 2 family and Kampala Campus for losing such a friendly soul, brilliant mind and a promising lawyer in the making.” Reads part of the statement
