All students are encouraged to participate in the electoral process. Please also be reminded that sensitization on Electronic Voting by the Student Guild Constitution Review Commission is also ongoing.
Call for Nominations for the electoral commission 2022/2023
The office of the Dean of Students hereby calls for nominations of candidates for the Guild Electoral Commission.
Nominations are hereby opened with effect from today Thursday, 10th November 2022 and shall close on Saturday, 12th November, 2022 at 11:59pm East African Time.
Nomination Forms and guidelines for submitting the duly filled and signed nomination form, shall be accessed on this website https://www.mak.ac.ug/guildelections2022
Candidates with disabilities shall use the same link to be nominated.
There shall be no payment of any electoral related fees at any level to any person or any other authority by aspiring candidates in this process.
Only candidates whose applications are received by the said deadline will be considered.
Candidates who satisfy the nomination requirements shall be issued with a Certificate of Eligibility to contest by the Dean of Students and declared as duly nominated for the respective positions.
All Candidates must acquaint themselves with the provisions of the Makerere University Guidelines for Conducting Elections of the 88th Guild (November 2022 – February 2023).
Road Map for the 88th Guild Elections
1
Thursday 10th -Saturday12th Nov 2022
Call For Nominations of Electoral Commission aspiring candidates from all Colleges and Jinja campus
Dean of Students
2
Monday14th –Tuesday 15th Nov 2022
Verification of Academic Standing of Aspiring Electoral Commission Candidates
Academic Registrar
3
Wednesday 16th Nov 2022
Publication of Duly Nominated Electoral Commission Candidates
Dean of Students
4
Thursday 17th Nov 2022
Elections of The Electoral Commission
Dean of Students
5
Friday 18th Nov 2022
Swearing in of the Electoral Commission and voting their Leadership
Dean of Students
6
Saturday 19th -Monday 21st Nov 2022
Preparation and Presentation of Elections Budget
Electoral Commission /Dean of Students
7
Moday21st –Wednesday 23rd Nov 2022
Call For The Nominations of The 88th Guild President, Guild Representative council, Senior Common Room, College councils, Debating Union And Games Union candidates
Electoral Commission
8
Thursday 24th –Monday 28th Nov 2022
Verification of Academic Standing of all Nominated candidates
Academic Registrar/Electoral Commission
9
Tuesday 29th Nov 2022
Publication of Duly Nominated Candidates For The Guild, Guild Representative councilors, Senior Common Room, College councils, Debating Union And Games Union candidates And Virtual Debates
Electoral Commission
10
Wednesday 30th Nov 2022
Elections of Guild President, Guild Representative councilors, Senior Common Room, College council, Debating Union and Games Union
Electoral Commission
11
Monday 5th December 2022
Swearing In of Guild President, Guild Representative councilors, Senior Common Room, College councils, Debating Union and Games Union.
Vice Chancellor/ Electoral Commission /Dean of Students
Further guidelines pertaining to Makerere University 88th Students Guild Elections is available in the attached documents accessible through the links below:
In a vibrant celebration of youth leadership and African unity, Makerere University hosted the Second Annual Guild Leaders’ Summit, an event that brought together high-profile dignitaries, student leaders, and international partners for a powerful dialogue on the future of the continent. The summit, organized by the Guild Presidents Leadership Academy, served as a rallying point for East Africa’s young leaders to confront Africa’s most urgent challenges—on their own terms and with their own solutions.
A Warm Welcome and Reflections on Makerere’s Legacy
The Vice Chancellor, Professor Barnabas Nawangwe, welcomed the distinguished guests, who included Former President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya, Uganda’s Vice President H.E. Jessica Alupo, former Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Ruhakana Rugunda, Justice Simon Byabakama, Hon. Mathew Rukikaire, and European Union Deputy Ambassador Mr. Guillaume Chartrain, among others.
In his address, Prof. Nawangwe reflected on Makerere’s deep historical ties to East Africa’s liberation and development movements. He reminded the audience that Makerere University has been a crucible for the continent’s leadership, stating:
“Jomo Kenyatta was the first person to receive a degree from Makerere when, in 1963, he was awarded an honorary doctorate by then Chancellor Julius Nyerere. All freedom fighters in East Africa studied at Makerere.”
H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta is received upon arrival at Makerere University by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe.
Building on this rich history, Prof. Nawangwe affirmed the university’s current mission to tackle pressing continental issues. “Today,” he said, “Makerere is committed to addressing Africa’s challenges—climate change, disease, poverty, food security, conflict resolution, and economic development. But we cannot do this alone.”
He echoed sentiments later shared by the keynote speaker, stressing that Africa must no longer depend on external interventions:
“Foreign agencies will not solve all Africa’s problems. It is our young people who must step forward and lead the change.”
Uhuru Kenyatta: “You Are the Last Line of Defence”
In a keynote address that resonated deeply with the students and delegates in attendance, Former President Uhuru Kenyatta issued a bold and urgent call to action for Africa’s youth.
“No one is coming to save us,” Kenyatta declared. “You are the last line of defence in the battle to rescue the heart and soul of Africa.”
H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta (2nd Right) poses for a group photo during the courtesy call on the Vice Chancellor with Left to Right: Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, Ms. Sarah Kagingo and Guild President-H.E. Churchill James Ssentamu.
Positioning today’s youth as the heirs of the continent’s freedom fighters, Kenyatta described the current moment as a new “independence era”—not of political liberation, but of economic and intellectual sovereignty. He urged students to think critically about intra-African trade, which currently accounts for less than 2.5% of global commerce, and to advocate for the removal of internal barriers to trade, innovation, and mobility.
“You are the freedom fighters of this generation,” he said. “Universities must be incubators of change, and students must be the trustees of tomorrow’s Africa.”
Pan-Africanism, Leadership, and Action
Uganda’s Vice President H.E. Jessica Alupo encouraged students to take up the mantle of Pan-Africanism with unwavering commitment. She acknowledged that while the rhetoric of African unity is inspiring, real progress demands more than words:
Left to Right: The Vice President-H.E. Jessica Alupo, Prime Minister Emeritus-Hon. Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, Hon. Matthew Rukikaire and other dignitaries follow proceedings.
“You must embrace the spirit of Pan-Africanism. But it is easy to say these words—the challenge lies in collective implementation.”
She emphasized the importance of action-oriented leadership and urged the youth to harness their creativity, energy, and education for the benefit of the continent.
European Union’s Message: Leadership with Integrity
Representing Team Europe, the EU Deputy Ambassador to Uganda, Mr. Guillaume Chartrain, gave a passionate speech on the values of authentic leadership, integrity, and inclusive development. He praised Makerere University as a space where “intellectual ambition meets civic responsibility” and emphasized that leadership is not about prestige, but purpose:
“Be a leader because of what you want to be—not because of what you want to have,” he said.
Citing former Makerere alumni such as Julius Nyerere and Wangari Maathai, Chartrain called on students to model courage, resilience, and humility:
“True leadership emerges in moments of loss—when resilience, not triumph, becomes the measure of one’s character.”
The EU, he said, remains committed to supporting youth through programs like Erasmus+, the EU Youth Sounding Board, and partnerships with organizations like Faraja Africa Foundation and Restless Development. These initiatives empower youth not as symbols, but as active participants in shaping policy and governance.
The Legacy Continues
Throughout the summit, speakers highlighted the importance of legacy and long-term impact. They challenged young leaders to think not just about the present, but about the systems and institutions they will leave behind. In the words of Former President Kenyatta:
“Leadership is not about the next election. It’s about the next generation.”
The summit ended on a high note, with students invigorated and inspired to lead with purpose. As global support grows less predictable and Africa stands at a crossroads, the message from Makerere was clear: the future of the continent is in the hands of its youth. And as the Guild Leaders’ Summit demonstrated, they are ready.
The Office of Academic Registrar, Makerere University has released lists of Diploma holders admitted under the Government Sponsorship Scheme for the Academic Year 2025/2026.
Under the Diploma Holders Government Sponsorship Scheme admission does not exceed 5% of the intake capacity to the respective Degree Programme.
The list can be accessed by following the link below:
Are you a researcher or student working in protein-related research, structural biology, or bioinformatics?
The African Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Data Intensive Sciences (ACE) Uganda with support from Google DeepMind, invites researchers and students seeking to integrate AlphaFold into their work to apply for the AlphaFold Workshop to be held at the Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University-Kampala, Uganda from 16th to 20th June 2025.