KAMPALA— From the echoing lecture halls of Makerere University to the charged campaign trails of Uganda’s 2026 general elections, a new class of former student leaders is trading in their guild titles for political office. In Uganda’s complex and often generational political scene, the next wave of youthful contenders is no longer watching from the sidelines—they’re running.
What connects them isn’t just their age or ambition. It’s a shared crucible: the Makerere Guild. For decades, the university has served as an unofficial nursery bed for Uganda’s future leaders, producing names that have gone on to reshape the country’s political, legal, and religious landscape. Now, a growing group of former guild presidents, vice presidents, and student activists—most in their 20s—are hoping to bring the lessons of campus politics into national Parliament, mayoral seats, and youth councils.
Robert Maseruka: From Campus Mobilizer to MP Hopeful
The former 89th Guild President of Makerere University, Robert Maseruka, isn’t just campaigning for Mukono South—he’s campaigning against the apathy and exclusion he believes has defined politics in his community. A product of Nakisunga Village, Maseruka rose to national recognition after winning a tightly contested guild election in 2023 under the National Unity Platform (NUP), stepping in after front-runner Margaret Nattabi was disqualified.
His platform today echoes the same themes that marked his term at Makerere: inclusion, accountability, and youth-driven solutions. As guild president, he launched the “Save a Makererean” campaign, highlighting the thousands of students each year who drop out due to unpaid tuition.
“I’ve watched parents in my community struggle to educate their children—decades pass, and nothing changes,” he said. “It’s no longer just about advocacy. It’s time to legislate.”
Maseruka also became a prominent figure in Gen-Z protests, particularly during the “March to Parliament” demonstrations. His activism led to arrest and time in Luzira Prison—experiences he now wears as political armor.
Lawrence ‘Dangote’ Alionzi: From Firebrand to Strategist
Alionzi Lawrence, known affectionately as “Dangote” on campus, served as the 88th Guild President after a fiery 2022 campaign. Though he rose through NUP ranks, he’s now running for Arua City Mayor under the ruling NRM—a move that has puzzled former allies and energized critics.
“Politics shouldn’t be about clinging to colors,” he says. “It should be about who delivers.”
Alionzi’s Makerere tenure was short but intense. He fought for student pardons, challenged the vice chancellor’s disciplinary authority, and fiercely defended campus political rights. He’s betting that those battles have prepared him for municipal leadership.
Oremo Odwee: The Governance Advocate
A journalist by training and an organizer by instinct, Oremo “OO” Odwee narrowly lost the 2023 guild election to Maseruka by just 27 votes. Now, he’s aiming for the national stage—running for Northern Youth MP under the NRM banner.
Odwee says his drive stems from the unaddressed struggles of young people in Northern Uganda: unemployment, limited skills training, and government programs that don’t reach those who need them most.
“Politics isn’t performance,” he says. “It’s connection—and we’ve lost that.”
His campaign, under the slogan Umoja ni Nguvu (Unity is Strength), is grounded in building solidarity across the country’s northern sub-regions.
Gold Ikyiriza: A Woman in the Arena
A former vice president of the Uganda National Students Association (UNSA), Gold Ikyiriza is gunning for the National Female Youth MP seat. Her platform prioritizes the creation of a youth ministry or independent commission to better coordinate youth programs and funding.
“I want to see young people not just mobilized—but organized,” she said in a recent interview. “There’s power in structure.”
She also champions inter-regional youth collaboration to combat ethnic and regional divides that continue to plague national cohesion.
Hussein Ibra: The NRM Loyalist with Grassroots Roots
From Lumumba Hall GRC to one of the most visible NRM faces on campus, Hussein Ibra has spent years building a reputation as a disciplined, grounded youth voice. Now running for Eastern Youth MP, Ibra says his focus is on start-ups, job creation, and skilling initiatives.
“We are the majority in this country, yet still the most unemployed,” he said after picking nomination forms, flanked by party youth leaders and holding a portrait of President Museveni.
Dr. Shamim Nambassa: Medicine Meets Mobilization
The 87th Guild President and one of only five women to hold the role in Makerere’s history, Dr. Shamim Nambassa emerged during the difficult COVID-19 era with a landslide win. A former academic minister turned political force, she’s now contesting for Woman LC5 Councillor in Kawempe South under NUP.
Last year, she joined youth-led street protests over worsening economic conditions and deteriorating service delivery. “We are prepared to go as far as necessary to ensure our demands are heard,” she warned.
Other Names in the Running
- Dr. Judith Nalukwago, former 85th Vice Guild President, is running for Makindye West Woman Lord Councillor and serves as Secretary for Professionals on NUP’s executive committee.
- Dr. Roy Semboga, the 82nd Guild President, is making a second attempt at Kawempe South MP after losing the NUP ticket in 2021.
- Lenia Charity, MUBS’ 25th Vice Guild President, has shifted allegiance to the NRM and is running for MP in Vurra County.
A Generation Steps Up—But Questions Remain
Not all see this wave as entirely hopeful. Pastor Martin Ssempa, once a dominant campus figure, recently posted on X (formerly Twitter):
“Stanford reminded me of what Makerere once was—a place of prestige and state-sponsored excellence. Today, it’s a place of hunger and disillusionment.”
His sentiment reflects broader anxieties about whether the Makerere-to-politics pipeline is creating meaningful change—or simply repeating old patterns in a new generation.
The Larger Conversation: Hope or Desperation?
Vincent Lubega Nsamba, a former Makerere Guild President, believes the trend is positive—but cautions against idealism.
“Politics only matters if it’s about people’s lives. Otherwise, it’s theatre,” he said.
Muzafaruh Kabuulwa, a former student leader now working in peace-building, added:
“Youth involvement in politics is as much about unemployment as it is about activism. For some, it’s a calling; for others, it’s survival.”
He also criticized the increasing suppression of student activism within universities. “When you shut down democratic space on campus, you push ambition outward—and sometimes, that’s exactly what the system doesn’t want.”
Conclusion: A Legacy Reinvented
For Uganda, the 2026 elections may not just be a contest of ideologies but a test of generational relevance. From guild halls to the corridors of Parliament, the new class of contenders represents both the promise and the precarity of youth in politics.
If these former guild presidents succeed, they won’t just inherit power—they’ll redefine it.
