By Bill Dan Arnold Borodi.
Guild presidential aspirant Abraham Elobaboni has been disqualified from the Guild Government race after failing to meet religious requirements, according to the Electoral Commission (EC) Chairperson Aggrey Kwaje Asunta.
A memo released this evening by the EC, signed by Asunta and the Director of Student Affairs (DOSA), Pamela Tumwebaze, announced Bright Atuhaire as the only candidate for Guild President, running unopposed in the elections scheduled for November 13.
While the memo did not specify the grounds for Elobaboni’s disqualification, Asunta confirmed in a telephone interview that the decision followed the joint board vetting process, during which Elobaboni failed to present proof of confirmation in the Anglican Church.
“The Law School gave us two candidates, Bright Atuhaire and Abraham Elobaboni,” Asunta said. “As the EC, we do not interfere with faculty vetting. We also had one candidate from Engineering in Year One, but he did not qualify because of his year of study”.
Asunta added that Elobaboni was asked to present his confirmation card, which he did not have, unlike Atuhaire, who presented his. She also noted that Elobaboni’s baptism took place last year, and he “failed to name the officiating Bishop”, instead referring to a Reverend, which contradicted Anglican confirmation practice.
Elobaboni, in a statement, defended the integrity of the system. “Failure to defend my baptism and confirmation as an Anglican barred me from being vetted as a presidential candidate” he said.
Speaking after being declared the sole candidate, Atuhaire expressed gratitude, describing the process as fair and transparent.
“It has been God. The system was fair, and everything was done right. I ask people to continue trusting me. I’m going to campaign and reach everyone so they know I’m competent,” Atuhaire said.
“It was a shock to my life,” said one student who preferred anonymity. “We have no option because we are a democratic society. Once the vetting list is out, we have to concede. It’s difficult to succeed with a petition on vetting”.
With no other qualified contenders, Atuhaire proceeded to the polls unopposed, automatically becoming the next Guild President for the 28th Guild Government.
