Ssentamu Churchill James has been declared the 91st Guild President of Makerere University after achieving a significant victory in the Guild Race. His triumph was unequivocal, as he secured a substantial number of votes across various faculties, according to the tally sheets viewed by this media outlet.
The Independent candidate garnered a total of 3,459 votes, surpassing his rivals by a considerable margin. His support was particularly strong in the faculties of COBAMS, COCIS, CAES, and CEES. This outcome clearly indicates that a large portion of the student body trusts and believes that his leadership will bring about positive changes at Uganda’s premier institution of higher learning.
During his campaign, he emphasized the need for academic reforms, improved student welfare, and enhanced service delivery at Makerere University. Among his commitments were better student representation, improved living conditions, and increased financial transparency. This platform is largely credited for his overwhelming success in the elections. The significant challenge now lies in fulfilling his campaign promises.
For those unfamiliar with him, the name Ssentamu is well-known, and as you might have expected, there is a notable connection. He is the son of Fred Nyanzi Ssentamu, the Chief Campaign Mobilizer for NUP, making him the nephew of the party president, Bobi Wine.
Interestingly, Ssentamu did not win his party’s primaries to Basalirwa Ismail, yet he chose to continue in the race as an independent candidate, winning decisively. Speaking on the occasion of his victory, he remarked that his endorsement came from God, rather than from his father’s political party.
