Makerere University’s People Power candidates. PHOTO CREDIT: URN
As the Makerere University guild election races climaxes, three leading contenders are struggling to identify with “People Power”, a pressure group linked to the Kyaddondo East legislator, Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine.
They are Julius Kateregga, a second-year student of Bachelor of Arts with Education, Joshua Mukisa, a 3rd year law student and David Musiri, a second-year student of Bachelor of Commerce.
The trio has been campaigning in red berets and overalls, similar to those used by “People Power” activists. Mukisa positioned himself as a “People Power” activist right from the start of the campaigns.
Kateregga started as an independent candidate but started appearing in red overalls and berets at his campaign rallies. Despite the fact there are 11 guild presidential candidates, the three are forerunners.
Some of the students interviewed by URN, say candidates linked to People power stand a big chance of succeeding in the polls.
Innocent Ngoboka, a third-year law student, says the “People Power” brand will definitely have an impact on who will become the next guild president.
Abdu Twaibu Magambo, a fourth-year student of Regional and Urban Planning, says students are shunning candidates representing traditional political parties such as the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) and Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) for those identifying with the “People Power” movement.
“Of course People Power is the leading brand as far as the current political environment is concerned. It’s no surprise that the students have opted to use the movement. The candidates from other political parties are rendered nothing. That’s why Mukisa and Katerega are outstanding among the contestants,” he said.
Marion Kirabo, a supporter of Julius Kateregga, one of the candidates linked to “People Power” told URN that the brand has had a mass effect on youth especially in and communities around the University.
Joseph Ssenabulya, a resident of Mitchell Hall and a second-year student of Bachelor of Commerce, says FDC and NRM have been swept away by the “People Power” movement.
Faith Margret Okwir, a student of Bachelor of Arts with Education degree, says Mukisa and Kateregga want to compete inside the “box”. The red, as identified to People power seems to have a wave politically from the national scene.
NRM not seated
Andrew Julian Taliwaku, a 3rd-year law student and Osbert Alinda, a second year Bachelor of Social Sciences student are running as NRM candidates.
The party has deployed yellow ribbons and red berets with President, Yoweri Museveni’s photo while Milly Namuddu, a second-year Bachelor of Education (Arts) student is holding the FDC flag.
Others in the race are Umaru Wageya, a second-year student of Bachelor of Economics, George Mutumba popularly known as O-M-G, a second-year student of Development Studies and Emmanuel Agaba, a third-year student of Bachelor of Science in Conservation Forestry and Products Technology, Winter Nsimire Muhangi, a third-year Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and Donald Munanu, a second-year Bachelor of Education (Arts) student.