Kampala (UG): Ssentamu Churchill James has been elected the 91st Guild President of Makerere University, securing a historic victory as an independent candidate after a surprising loss in the National Unity Platform (NUP) primaries.
Churchill, the son of NUP’s head of mobilization Fred Nyanzi Ssentamu and nephew of party president Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine), made an impressive comeback by winning the top student leadership position despite losing out in the NUP primaries to Basalirwa Ismail. Churchill received 214 votes, while Basalirwa emerged victorious with 232 votes. Mugabe Job finished third with 129 votes.
His unexpected defeat in the NUP primaries raised eyebrows among supporters, especially given his strong family ties to the party. This led to internal debates within NUP about whether to support Churchill, running as an independent candidate, or rally behind Basalirwa, the official party flagbearer.
The Guild elections, held on March 12, saw 13 candidates vying for the position, and Churchill’s win as an independent suggests a broader personal appeal that transcended party lines. His victory is a testament to his ability to mobilize support from students across the political spectrum.
As Churchill begins his term, all eyes will be on his leadership style and the potential political ramifications, both within the university and in the wider political landscape.
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