Former student leaders at Makerere University have asked the university management to reconsider regulations governing student leadership contests, saying the rules are stifling political engagement and undermining the role campus politics has historically played in producing national leaders.
The former leaders say the restrictions have created fear among students, with many opting out of leadership contests over concerns of suspension or expulsion for allegedly breaching university regulations.
They argue that this has denied students a critical platform that once nurtured some of Uganda’s most prominent politicians.
For decades, Makerere distinguished itself from many other universities by allowing open political activity.
Students openly affiliated with political parties, while national politicians frequently visited the campus, particularly during guild election seasons.
Former guild leaders say this exposure connected them to national politics early and enabled senior politicians to identify and mentor emerging leaders.
University management later tightened controls on political activity following incidents of election-related violence on campus.
Student rallies were subsequently banned, a move the administration says was intended to restore order and discipline.
Kampala Deputy Lord Mayor Doreen Nyanjura, who began her political journey through Makerere’s guild leadership, says the campus was her entry point into national politics.
“Makerere exposed me to national political actors and gave me the confidence to engage leaders like Dr Kizza Besigye, who later encouraged me to grow politically,” Nyanjura said.
Former Makerere Guild President Dr Roy Ssembogga says his current political engagement is rooted in networks formed during his time at the university.
“Without Makerere politics, I would not have found a footing in national politics because the networks I built there still define my political life,” Ssembogga said.
Mukono South MP-elect Robert Maseruka, who served as Guild President during the 2023/2024 academic year, also credits his Makerere experience for his electoral success.
“Introducing myself as a former Makerere student leader helped voters trust me and sharpened my ability to speak, debate and mobilise,” Maseruka said.
The former leaders are urging the university administration to revise the rules governing guild campaigns and elections, arguing that the rallies previously held during these contests offered students valuable opportunities to practise public speaking, engage in debate and develop leadership skills that later proved essential in national politics.
Makerere University lecturer Dr Gerald Walulya agrees that campus politics plays a formative role but defends the current framework, saying it prioritises student safety.
“The regulations are meant to protect students, and the shift to online campaigns has significantly reduced election-related violence,” Walulya said.
Several nationally known politicians, including Justice Minister Norbert Mao, Mukasa Mbidde, Asuman Basalirwa and Gerald Karuhanga, trace their political roots to Makerere University, reinforcing its long-standing influence on Uganda’s political landscape.