Kabale University Electoral Commissioners inducted and sworn in

Through voting for their leaders, students don’t only express their choice, but they also go through a very vital lifetime process of participating in the election as managers of the process. The body that is mandated to manage the University’s election process is the electoral commission. They do not only prepare the election process but also, carry a huge responsibility of demonstrating the political maturity of the institution’s student community.

In his opening remarks to the students, the Dean of Students at Kabale University Mr. Amos Tukamushabe emphasised integrity as a key virtue that each commissioner should have. He thanked the students for accepting to take up this vital role during such a trying time of the pandemic. He also advised them to take their new responsibility as a learning process, to brace themselves for a noble job, to be very organized, to be good planners with an agenda, and above all to commit their efforts to minimize the challenges they were exposed to during their elections. In his final remarks he appealed to them to work as a team, that way, they shall live up to the aspirations of their electorate.

The University legal officer Ms. Judith Ahimbisibwe took the commissioners through the amended guidelines for conducting a blend of the electronic and physical guild and GRC elections during covid 19 as approved by the University Council. She made it known that because of the unprecedented times; there was a need to appreciate the new ways of ensuring the all students exercise their right to elect their leaders. She reminded them of the legal implications of the oath they took as they assumed this new responsibility.

In his induction remarks, the Assistant Director for ICT Mr. Jones Murangira advised the commissioners to be mentally ready for the new digital change that shall take place during the election process. He appealed to them to be open-minded as they embrace the new solutions that will ensure efficiency and also success in the upcoming election. Mr. Ray Brooks Ampaire from ICT took the students through a demo session of the electronic platform that shall be used during the voting of the student leaders.

The Officer in Charge of the University Police Post, ASP George William Okello added his voice to that of other speakers before him and reminded the commissioners to conduct a transparent election process. In the same breath, the District Police Commander of Kabale, ASP Abel Ruganza emphasised diligence as key in ensuring harmony. They both reiterated their support to the University and the election process. They thanked the organisers of the induction and expressed their gratitude to the University Management for the collegial relations with the police.

In the closing remarks of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic Affairs made by the Dean of Students, he advised students as the current process leaders to always seek facts before speaking. He highlighted the danger of speaking to foreign media without considering the facts or consulting the office mandated to speak for the University. He advised the commissioners to be good stewards who should follow the legal guidelines. He was very optimistic that after our initial successes in online teaching and examination, e-voting should also be another successful activity.

The induction sessions were chaired and managed by the sports officer-Charles Karuma, Receptionist- Christine Asingwire, Warden- Mrs Prossy Kamugisha Mukasa, and University Counsellor- Ms Confidence Asiimwe.

Written By Godfrey Sempungu

Senior Communications and Branding Officer