Kabale University Holds the 5th Guild Swearing-in Ceremony

The 5^th Guild President of Kabale University as a Public University was sworn into office on the 21^st of October 2020. H.E. Godfrey Niwamanya the sworn in Guild President was elected to office on the 17^th of March 2020. However, due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, he was not able to take office due to the closure of all institutions of higher learning. He was sworn in as the new Guild President on the 21^st of October 2020. The swearing-in of the new Guild officials preceded the handover ceremony by the outgoing Guild Cabinet, the event was presided over by Prof. Benon Basheka, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic Affairs) who represented the Vice-Chancellor. Present at the swearing-in and handover ceremony was Mrs. Anny Bwenye-Katabaazi (Deputy Vice-Chancellor Finance and Administration), Mr. Baryantuma Johnson Munono (University Secretary), Mr. Narcicir Tibenderana (Academic Registrar), Mr. Amos Tukamushaba (Dean of Students) among many other officials.

Prof. Benon Basheka who was the Chief Guest while addressing the Guild Officials and the entire students’ community, thanked the outgoing students’ government for executing their duties diligently on behalf of the University Management. Prof. Benon explained the role of student leaders in any Academic Institution as they are called to serve other students by ensuring that Students Academics is given priority. He called upon the incoming student leaders to ensure that there are students innovations by changing students’ attitudes, Lecturers are available to teach students and fighting bad cultures in the teaching sector and create a data bank for all the University students. He warned students leaders to avoid amending the constitution to suit their interests.

Prof. Benon Basheka informed students that Kabale University Medical students were cleared by the East African Dental and Medical Council and graduates from Kabale University will be able to work in any country within the East African Region. Listen to Prof. Basheka’s speech below.

On strengthening the ICT department, he said that internet services have been improved including improved internet speed, and putting in place an ICT help desk for students to attend to inquiries related to ICT instantly. In addition, plans are underway to install internet hot spots across the campus this will reduce congestion and enable social distancing amongst students.

On Infrastructure development, Prof. Basheka informed students that the Graduate school has been able to receive a new home and plans are underway to create a home for the Faculty of Agriculture and Environment Sciences. Plans to put new structures for the Faculty of Engineering Technology, applied design, and Fine Art to expand on students learning space are ongoing. Prof. Basheka called upon students to utilize the e-library resource services that have been put in place by the University.

The University Secretary Mr. Baryantuma Johnson Munono while addressing Students, welcomed them back to the University and asked them to observe the Standard Operating Procedures of Covid-19 pandemic put in place by Ministry of health to avoid any uncertainties of closing the Institutions again due to increased patient cases of Covid-19.

Mr. Baryantuma thanked H.E Evelyn Natukunda, the outgoing Guild President for having successfully completed the regime with no students’ strikes which are common in other Universities, and challenged the new Guild President to borrow a leaf. He thanked the outgoing Games Union for the record they had set in sports citing the excellent performance they demonstrated during the inter University Sports League.

Mr. Baryantuma ended by thanking the Chairperson Electoral Commission for the work well done. He welcomed the new regimes of both the Guild Council and Games Union and pledged his continued support.

The Dean of Students, Mr. Tukamushaba Amos, during his address called upon students to be disciplined and have respect for others if they want to be successful leaders. He emphasized the need for teamwork amongst the student’s leaders themselves, University Management, and the entire Students Community. Mr. Tukamushaba thanked Students for electing good Leaders and requested the entire students’ community to support them. On behalf of the Office of the Dean of Students, he pledged their support and called upon the entire students’ community to utilize the office.

The ceremony ended with the awarding of certificates to students’ Leaders, cutting the cake and awarding gifts to Members of the University Management by the outgoing Guild Council.

We Congratulate H.E Godfrey Niwamanya, the Guild President, his entire Guild Council and wish them the best of luck during their term of office.