Makerere Guild President faces impeachment over alleged incompetence, abuse of office

The Makerere University Guild Representative Council (GRC) is currently facing a pivotal moment as Hon. Mufakinanye Moses, also known as Hon. Omujugujugu, initiated a formal petition seeking the removal of the Guild President. This action, presented on November 9, 2024, targets the Guild President’s alleged incompetence, abuse of office, and prolonged unexcused absenteeism.

Hon. Omujugujugu, a representative of the Makerere University Debating Union, asserts that the Guild President has persistently neglected key duties since assuming office. Specifically, the President reportedly attended only one GRC session—focused on budget discussions—while repeatedly failing to engage in other critical sessions. This lack of involvement, paired with an extended absence abroad, has raised concerns about his commitment to student welfare and effective representation.

Expressing his frustrations, Moses stated, “ Nsamba has been a big liability to the students community. He has violated the oath of elegance and you can see the entire University is in frames because of the leadership crisis, he has not been there for us and he should go. I have already collected the necessary signatures from the GRCs and we are ready to move, he has been a very big blow at the hill, students are suffering because of him, he is always America and every where and driving cars on guild money.” He said

Further aggravating the situation is the failure of the Deputy President to step in and attend GRC sessions or provide explanations regarding the Guild President’s absences. The result has been a backlog of unresolved issues, including delays in disbursing feeding allowances for government-sponsored students—a matter that has sparked widespread discontent among the student body.

The legal foundation of the petition rests on Articles 84 and 86 of the Guild Constitution, which allow for impeachment on grounds of incompetence, abuse of office, and unexcused absenteeism. The petition, which has garnered support from over a third of GRC members, requests a comprehensive investigation by the Guild Tribunal. Should the Tribunal establish a prima facie case, the GRC will vote on the resolution, requiring a two-thirds majority for it to pass.

In addition to calling for impeachment, the petitioners urge the GRC to consider measures to mitigate the academic impact of a recent two-week staff strike, potentially including a semester extension. If the Guild President is removed, the petition seeks new elections within 30 days to ensure continuous leadership.

This unfolding situation underscores the student leadership’s commitment to upholding accountability and effective representation at Makerere University, setting a significant precedent in the pursuit of responsible governance.