In a quiet yet significant turn of events, H.E. Ssentamu Churchill James has been elected the 91st Guild President of Makerere University, marking a departure from the anticipated dominance of the National Unity Platform (NUP) in the institution’s student leadership race. The online election, held on March 12, 2025, unfolded with an almost eerie silence—a hallmark of Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe’s regime, which has transformed guild elections into subdued, tightly controlled affairs that barely ripple beyond the university’s digital walls.
Ssentamu, a fourth-year student and nephew of NUP leader Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu (Bobi Wine), defied expectations by running as an independent candidate after losing the NUP primaries at Makerere’s chapter. His victory, announced late Wednesday night, came against a field of contenders in a process so muted that many students barely noticed it was happening. Under Nawangwe’s leadership, guild elections have shifted online since the tumultuous 2022 campaigns, which saw the tragic death of Uganda Christian University student Betungura Bewatte during clashes between NUP and Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) supporters. The subsequent Makerere University Students Guild Statute of 2022 banned partisan politics, forcing candidates to distance themselves from party affiliations—a rule Ssentamu navigated by rejecting the NUP mantle and running on his own terms.
The Nawangwe administration’s grip on student politics has been unrelenting. Known for its near-military approach to dissent, the regime has silenced the once-vibrant demonstrations that defined Makerere’s guild races. Physical campaigns are outlawed, debates are stifled, and candidates must submit pre-recorded videos rather than rally supporters in person. “It’s like voting in a vacuum,” one student remarked during the election period. “You log in, click a name, and that’s it—no noise, no excitement, just results.” This year’s turnout, though not yet officially disclosed, is rumored to be among the lowest in recent history, a testament to the disengagement fostered by the online-only format and strict regulations.
Ssentamu’s win, however, suggests a flicker of defiance amid the quiet. Losing the NUP primaries to another candidate, he chose to forge his own path, leveraging his family ties to Bobi Wine and his personal charisma to appeal directly to students disillusioned with party politics. Campaigning through carefully crafted digital messages, he promised to challenge the administration’s iron hand, restore student voices, and address perennial issues like tuition hikes and inadequate facilities. “This isn’t about parties—it’s about us, the students,” Ssentamu said in one of his few permitted online statements. His message resonated, securing him a decisive victory over rivals who struggled to break through the election’s muted atmosphere.
The result has raised eyebrows, particularly given NUP’s recent stronghold on Makerere’s guild leadership. The party, which has galvanized Uganda’s youth since the 2021 general elections, appeared poised to claim another term. Yet, Ssentamu’s independent run has disrupted that narrative, exposing cracks in NUP’s campus dominance and hinting at a shift in student sentiment. Some speculate that the Nawangwe regime’s ban on partisan affiliations inadvertently leveled the playing field, allowing an outsider like Ssentamu to outmaneuver party-backed candidates.
For Ssentamu, the challenge now is to lead under a regime that brooks no resistance. His uncle’s defiance of the Museveni government may inspire him, but the guild presidency comes with little room to maneuver. The 2022 statute limits the guild’s autonomy, and Nawangwe’s administration has a track record of swiftly disciplining those who step out of line. Already, Ssentamu faces pressure to deliver on promises like negotiating better living conditions in halls of residence and pushing back against fee increments—goals that will test his ability to rally support in a system engineered to keep students quiet.
As Makerere’s 91st Guild President, Ssentamu Churchill James steps into a role redefined by restriction, yet his independent streak offers a glimmer of hope for those yearning for change. Whether he can amplify the silent voices of Makerere’s students—or be muffled by the Nawangwe machine—remains to be seen. For now, his election stands as a quiet rebellion in an era where even victories barely make a sound.
