By Aulah Najjuuka and Asenath Were
Uganda Christian University (UCU) witnessed a special moment as Vice Chancellor Aaron Mushengyezi led the swearing-in of the 26th Guild Government cabinet.
The ceremony happened on January 11, 2024, during the weekly Thursday worship in Nkoyoyo Hall. More than 30 students took their oaths, officially starting their roles in the student government.
The Vice Chancellor Assoc. Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi, encouraged the new leaders to keep their actions in line with their Christian beliefs throughout their time in office.
The event highlighted the importance of bringing together faith and leadership. As the 26th Guild Government begins its work, the influence of Deputy Vice Chancellor Mugawe’s advice is expected to shape their decisions, fostering a culture of principled leadership at UCU.
The ceremony not only marked the start of the new government but also emphasised UCU’s dedication to nurturing leaders rooted in Christian values.
Concurrently, the 25th guild government, led by Timothy Dumba, handed over their instruments of power to the incoming guild government.
Dumba says that his time in leadership has taught him to plan, lead with compassion, be patient with people, and take care of them because, compared to the primary or secondary level, leadership at the university level is more political; people vote for you because they love you.
“Being a private person, learning to lead while loving people and showing up for causes has been my biggest takeaway.” Dumba highlighted.
He prays for this new government to build from where the 25th guild government stopped and prays for them to love each other because, to him, a united government can accomplish anything—to keep the outgoing Cabinet outstanding.
“I want to be outside after I graduate, and I still want to know that UCU guild officials are topnotch in how they do their thing, so let them love students, love each other, and keep the UCU brand.” He said
Miriam Nahura, the current minister for the presidency and a student for BNS2, says she is happy to do her duty, which is to advise the president to unite the presidency itself, ministers, and all the cabinet, because he is a person of people.
She hopes to gain experience in leadership, working with people, making friends and connections, and being part of an arm that has a duty to help the student community during her time in the guild government.
Richard Mutebi, the current vice president of the 26th Guild government, hopes to work harmoniously with school administration to address students’ priorities and needs—to feel that the students are heard. “Basically, we are going to act as intermediaries between the administration and the student’s body. He remarked.
The current minister of education, Ezra Lwanga, said that as a ministry, they hope to increase the guild fund, an initiative that was introduced by the guild government in 2020 to help those students struggling with tuition payment.
“We hope to increase the fund by including outside companies like MTN, Airtel, and other organizations. We shall be supplying letters to those organisations, ‘the non-governmental organisations, and some individuals who can help us back our guild fund.” Lwanga said.
