Kampala, Uganda—April 3, 2025 – When the 91st Guild Cabinet of Makerere University was officially sworn in on April 1, 2025, it was a moment of celebration—until it wasn’t. For many international students at Uganda’s premier university, the ceremony quickly turned sour after a controversial appointment sparked unrest and cries for justice within their ranks.
The tension began when Akut Majak Ngueny, who had been duly elected by the International Students’ Union (ISU) as their Minister for International Students’ Affairs, was unexpectedly omitted from the final list of sworn-in cabinet ministers. In his place, Elijah Ajak Bul, the male Guild Representative Councillor (GRC), was submitted to the Dean of Students for approval.
This sudden change left many international students in shock and disbelief.
The reaction was swift.
Within hours, the International Students’ Union WhatsApp group lit up with concerned voices, seeking clarity over what they saw as a blatant breach of the union’s constitutional procedures. Messages poured in—students asked why their democratically elected representative had been sidelined, and by whose authority.
“This is not just about one appointment. It’s about our voice being heard and respected,” wrote one student in the group.
According to the International Students’ Union constitution (Chapter 4, Article 38), the union is tasked with electing its own cabinet, including two GRCs (one male, one female). From that cabinet, a minister is chosen to represent international students’ interests in the larger university Guild Cabinet. Akut Majak Nguen had been elected following this procedure.
But despite the union’s internal processes, the final appointment appears to have been made unilaterally by the Guild President.
In an attempt to calm tensions, ISU Chairperson-elect Hon. Sunday Hezekiah, along with former minister for international students Bangter Steven, urged their colleagues to remain calm. They assured students that the matter was being investigated and vowed to push for answers.
In a message sent to the group, Hezekiah emphasized the importance of constitutional order:
“As MUISU, we uphold democratic principles and constitutional integrity in all our affairs. Following due process, the MUISU executive committee, representing international students, elected Hon. Akut Majak Nguen in line with our established precedent. However, the Guild President has unilaterally appointed the male GRC to that position, disregarding our union’s internal governance structure.”
He added, “While we respect the Guild President’s authority, MUISU is a constitutionally recognized body with the right to elect its own minister, as has always been the practice.”
However, the Guild President’s office may be within its legal rights. According to Articles 22(4) and 76(1) of the Makerere University Guild Constitution, along with Section 8(a) of the Guild Statute (2022), the President is empowered to appoint all cabinet ministers from among the elected GRCs.
This legal gray area has left many international students feeling voiceless.
“What was the point of holding our own elections if our choice can just be ignored?” one student asked during an impromptu meeting organized by ISU.
The situation has sparked broader discussions about governance and representation at Makerere University. Should constitutional autonomy within sub-unions like MUISU be overridden by broader Guild rules? Where does student agency begin and end in the democratic structure of the university?
For now, the dust is far from settled.
As both the Guild and International Students’ Union leadership continue to engage, international students are watching closely, hoping their concerns won’t be buried under bureaucracy. At the heart of it all lies one question: Who really speaks for them?