Kyambogo University has announced the suspension of the 2024/2025 Guild elections due to internal conflicts and unresolved issues within the electoral process.
The suspension was revealed in a letter issued by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Eli Katunguka Rwakishaya, dated October 25, 2024, following a management meeting held on October 23.
In the letter addressed to all students, the Vice Chancellor explained that the decision to suspend the elections was based on several factors raised by the Dean of Students and the Chief Security Officer.
Prof. Katunguka stated that the Office of the Dean of Students had received petitions from candidates challenging the electoral process. However, “these petitions had not yet been addressed,” creating dissatisfaction among the candidates.
Katunguka said that there were serious internal conflicts within the Electoral Commission and that these conflicts led to the dismissal of “the Secretary to the Electoral Commission and one (1) Commissioner a few days to the general elections further complicating the electoral process.
Prof. Katunguka also highlighted the disqualification of three presidential candidates just three days before the elections, which resulted into legal challenges.
“Three (3) Presidential Candidates were disqualified three (3) days to the general elections,” the letter noted, which led the candidates to file a Miscellaneous Cause in the High Court.
Katunguka stressed that this legal action meant the university could not proceed with the elections as planned.
The Electoral Commission faced further administrative shortcomings, particularly with the failure to submit required documents in a timely manner.
“There was a delay in the submission of information relating to details of aspiring candidates to facilitate the printing of the ballot papers,” Katunguka stated in the letter.
Therefore, the university management decided to suspend the 2024/2025 Guild elections.
The Vice Chancellor announced that an Ad Hoc Committee would be established to “investigate and review the conduct of the 2024/2025 Guild electoral process.”
The University will institute an Interim Caretaker Government, as per Article 7, Clause 4 of the Guild Constitution to ensure the smooth running of Guild activities during the suspension.
Despite the suspension of the elections, the Vice Chancellor assured students that the academic calendar remains unaffected.
“The Academic Calendar remains the same and examinations will commence as scheduled,” Prof. Katunguka wrote, urging students to continue preparing for their upcoming exams.
Katunguka urged the students to remain calm during this period. “I implore you to remain calm as Management finds a solution for your governance organ,” he wrote.
