Edmond Ariho has petitioned the Guild Election Tribunal seeking the annulment of the results of last week’s Makerere University Guild presidential election, which saw National Unity Platform (NUP)’s Vincent Lubega Nsamba emerge victorious. Ariho, a third-year student studying Land Economics, secured the second position in the March 7th election with 2536 votes, trailing Nsamba by a narrow margin of four votes.
Nsamba clinched the top spot with 2540 votes. Simon Wandukwa came third with 1089 votes followed by Jonathan Basalirwa with 1082 votes, and Ikemeri Allan Michah came fifth with 1054 votes. The other candidates included Ronald Ayebale who garnered 35 votes, Andrew Efiti 61 votes, Hamis Kabaale 66 votes, Victoria Mayiga 97 votes, Muhammadi Mukwaya 602 votes, George Ssemaganda 52 votes, Mudathiru Ssemanda 266 votes, Wacha Elizabeth Shakira 112 votes, Ibrahim Ssendagi 32 votes and Ssemuyaba Joshua Vitali 202 votes.
In his petition, Ariho, also known as Fati within the university circles, contends that the razor-thin difference of four votes suggests irregularities during the vote-counting process. “I am aggrieved by the election and declaration of the alleged winner in the name Lubega Vincent Nsamba who was declared by the 90th Electoral Commission Makerere University as the winning candidate,” Ariho said in the petition.
Ariho urges the Tribunal to recognize that the electoral process was marred by irregularities and declare Nsamba’s victory unlawful. He further requests the tribunal to order a recount of the votes and conduct a forensic audit of the E-voting system.
This marks the third consecutive time Makerere University has conducted an online election since the University Council’s decision in 2022, following a tragic incident involving a Uganda Christian University student, Betungura Bewatte, who lost his life during election campaigns.
The University Council subsequently banned all physical guild elections and mandated that future student leader elections be conducted virtually, also prohibiting political party influence in Guild affairs. Ramadhan Kirunda, the Makerere University Electoral Commission Chairperson, asserted earlier last week that despite the heated contest, the election remained free, fair, and inclusive.
In a letter dated March 11th, 2024, Winifred Kabumbuli, the Dean of Students, appealed to the student community and stakeholders to remain calm while the petition is being processed by the Guild Elections Petitions Tribunal.
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