Da Dona
JF-Expert Member
- Dec 16, 2025
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Five Makerere University alumni have petitioned the University Council seeking the suspension of the Convocation elections scheduled for October 31, 2026, citing unresolved legal, electoral and administrative concerns.
The petitioners — Ruth Kitamirike, Ssenteza Raymond, Nattabi Margaret, Muhwezi Joshua and Oluka Sylus — want the current election notice withdrawn and a finalized Convocation Statute published before fresh elections are held.
They argue that conducting the election without a settled statute could leave the incoming Convocation leadership without a clear legal framework. They also want the university to clarify the electoral roll, nomination requirements, voting and proxy arrangements, complaint mechanisms and procedures for correcting omissions from the voters' register.
The petition further challenges the increase in the Convocation membership fee from Shs10,000 to Shs50,000. The alumni argue that the increase requires approval by the General Assembly and should not be tied to voting rights unless the required authorization can be produced.
The choice of Imperial Botanical Beach Hotel in Entebbe as the venue has also been questioned, with the petitioners citing accessibility concerns for upcountry, international and alumni with disabilities. They are calling for electronic registration, remote voting and hybrid participation options.
The group also wants unresolved grievances from the December 2022 Convocation election addressed before another vote is held. They cite disputes over the voters' roll, alleged exclusion of members and disruption of the electoral process.
On financial accountability, the petitioners claim that no Annual General Meetings were held in 2023, 2024 or 2025 and are calling for the publication of audited accounts, financial reports and previous AGM minutes.
They are asking the University Council to immediately suspend the October 31 election and halt all related nominations, voter registration, campaigns, procurement and ballot preparations, arguing that the current Convocation leadership's term runs until December 2026, leaving time to resolve the outstanding issues before a fresh election.
