Makerere University’s Race For The 92nd Guild Presidency Is Officially On — Meet The 13 Candidates Cleared To Contest

Dean Of Students Briefs Nominees As Electoral Commission Issues Stern Guidelines On Campaign Conduct

The race for the most coveted student leadership position at Makerere University is officially underway. The Dean of Students, Dr. Winifred Kabumbuli, this afternoon convened a briefing for all duly nominated candidates for the 92nd Guild Presidency — thirteen students who will now compete for the right to lead Uganda’s oldest and most prestigious public university.

The field is wide, the competition is set to be fierce, and the rules of engagement have been made clear.

The Thirteen Candidates

The following candidates have been officially nominated and cleared to contest for the 92nd Makerere University Guild Presidency:

Atuha Cohen

Bulumba Timothy

Kadondi Gracious

Kyajja Peter Claver

Lubango Jimmy

Mbabazi Tracy

Mujuzi Mike Fulgensio

Nganga Mark

Nyaika Daniel

Serunkuma Timothy

Ssemanda Ashiraf

Tebakor Jimmy Prince

Tumukunde Hannah Karema

The thirteen represent a diverse field — including at least two female candidates in Mbabazi Tracy and Tumukunde Hannah Karema — competing for a position that carries enormous symbolic weight and institutional influence at Makerere.

The briefing was not merely ceremonial. Dr. Kabumbuli used the occasion to deliver a clear and direct set of expectations to all candidates regarding the conduct of their campaigns — expectations that the Electoral Commission and university security will be monitoring closely.

Candidates were specifically warned against defacing walls and destroying or interfering with other candidates’ campaign posters — a persistent problem in previous guild election cycles that the university is determined to curtail. Large processions, hate speech, the deliberate spread of disinformation and misinformation, violence, noise pollution, and the involvement of non-students in campaign activities were all explicitly prohibited.

The 92nd Guild Electoral Commission Chairperson, Owomugisha Maureen, reinforced the message, reminding all thirteen candidates of their obligation to abide by the electoral guidelines throughout the campaign period. Her remarks underscored that the Electoral Commission will be holding candidates accountable to the rules — not merely advising them.

Chief Security Officer SP Kaheebwa Geoffrey struck a relatively positive note, commending the candidates for their adherence to guidelines thus far while issuing a forward-looking reminder: any campaign processions must be restricted to the Main Campus, and candidates must ensure their activities do not interfere with traffic flow or disrupt business operations in areas where they campaign.

The Guild Presidency at Makerere University is far more than a student title. The Guild President serves as the principal representative of the university’s student body — engaging with university management on academic policy, student welfare, fees, and the full range of issues that affect the day-to-day lives of Makerere’s approximately 35,000 students.

The position has historically been a launching pad for careers in politics, civil society, law, and public service. Past guild presidents have gone on to serve in parliament, government, and prominent leadership positions across Uganda’s public and private sectors. The competition for the 92nd presidency is therefore being watched not only by the student community but by a much wider audience with an interest in where Uganda’s next generation of leaders is coming from.

With thirteen candidates in the race, the campaign period promises to be one of the most competitive in recent memory. How each candidate navigates the rules, builds their coalition, and presents their vision to the student electorate will determine who emerges as the 92nd Guild President of Makerere University.

The campaign, as of today, has officially begun.