The forthcoming Guild Presidential race for the academic year 2024-2025 has taken an unexpected turn in recent developments at Makerere University Business School (MUBS). Juma Wasswa Balunywa Junior, an aspiring candidate for the Guild President position, has stepped forward to address concerns regarding his eligibility following revelations of a retake during his second year of study.
In an official communication directed to the MUBS Guild Electoral Commission (EC), Juma Wasswa Balunywa affirms his adherence to the guild constitution’s requirement of maintaining normal academic progress throughout the years. He stresses that notwithstanding the retake, he has satisfactorily met the stipulated requirement and has advanced in his studies without impediment.
The correspondence sent to the EC chairman makes reference to Article 50 of the guild constitution, which mandates candidates to uphold normal academic progress, and Article 81, which prohibits candidates from having undergone any retakes. Nonetheless, Juma Wasswa Balunywa points to a precedent established during the 2008/2009 Guild Race involving a candidate named Tinkasimire and Nasasira, who confronted similar circumstances.
In the 2008/2009 race, the legal advisor ruled that “a student to stand for guild presidency should be on normal progress.” Juma Wasswa Balunywa cites this ruling as the foundation for his eligibility, underscoring his current academic standing and mentioning the endorsement granted to the candidate by the then-Dean of Students, Mrs. Evans Nyakojo.
Expressing dissatisfaction with the EC’s delayed response to his initial letter dated 15th February 2024, Juma Wasswa Balunywa raises concerns that the absence of clarity might impact the nomination process and result in uncertainty.
“I successfully cleared the retake and I have made normal progress in my studies,” unequivocally states Juma Wasswa Balunywa in his letter to the EC.
