MAKERERE – In a notable shift within Makerere University’s student leadership dynamics, Guild Representative Council (GRC) member Mufakinaye Moses, also known as Hon. Mugujuguju Moses, has initiated a formal petition to impeach the Guild President Vincent Lubega Nsamba, citing concerns of incompetence, abuse of office, and recurrent absenteeism. Filed on November 9, 2024, the petition accuses the Guild President of neglecting key responsibilities, particularly noting a pattern of prolonged absences that has purportedly stalled efforts to address pressing student issues.
Moses, representing the Makerere University Debating Union, argues that the Guild President’s repeated failure to attend GRC meetings—attending only a single budget session—demonstrates a lack of commitment to his responsibilities. This absenteeism, according to Moses, has particularly affected government-sponsored students who rely on timely disbursement of feeding allowances, which have been significantly delayed.
The petition coincides with growing discontent among students, particularly after the Guild House’s sudden cancellation of the Freshers’ Ball, an anticipated event meant to welcome first-year students. The cancellation, attributed to “security concerns on campus,” was announced at the last minute, leaving vendors and students frustrated. Vendors who had invested in preparations for the event, like one who had stocked up on supplies for a meat stall, voiced their financial losses. “They told us about the cancellation only at the last minute. It’s unfair to those of us who invested money for the event,” the vendor said.
Students, too, expressed their disappointment in the Guild President’s absence during these issues. “The Guild President has been away for weeks when we need him most. How can we trust a leader who isn’t here when students face real issues?” one student remarked.
Moses echoed these frustrations, stating, “Nsamba has failed the students’ community. His absence and mismanagement have left the university in a leadership crisis. I have already gathered the required signatures from GRC members, and we are prepared to move forward. He has not been there for us; he’s often away and using Guild funds for personal expenses.”
The petition cites Article 86 of the Guild Constitution, which allows the GRC to pursue impeachment if a minimum of one-third of GRC members sign the petition. The Guild Tribunal will investigate the allegations to determine if there are grounds for impeachment. Should the case proceed, a two-thirds majority of the GRC is required to pass the resolution, with new elections held within 30 days.
The petitioners are also urging the GRC to take measures to protect students’ academic progress in light of a recent staff strike that disrupted the academic calendar. This petition underscores the emphasis on accountability, transparency, and effective representation within student leadership. The coming weeks will reveal whether the Guild President will face impeachment and, if so, whether Makerere University’s students will soon elect new leadership.