The electoral authorities at Makerere University have declared Were Salim as the winner of the highly competitive student’s guild Presidential elections held on Wednesday.
Were Salim also known as Paapa, an Independent but Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) leaning candidate challenged fourteen other contestants to become the 84th Guild President at Uganda’s pioneering and highest institution of higher learning.
He is a student of Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine currently in his fourth year, and a former Social Affairs Minister in the Makerere 82nd Guild Cabinet.
According to official results declared by the Makerere Electoral commission Chairperson, Isaac Kenneth Isabirye on Wednesday night, Were polled 3,202 votes beating his strongest contender, Edward Kinene Semakula of the Uganda Young Democrats (UYD), who garnered 2,267 votes. This was out of the 10,274 total valid votes cast.
Were led Semakula with a margin of close to 1,000 votes.
Independent candidates, Silver Kent Lwamaza and Andrew Julian Taliwaku trailed with 1,528 votes and 1,380 votes respectively.
Candidates fronted by Uganda’s biggest political parties; NRM and FDC were not among the strongest competitors. Prize Marie Ahimbisibwe of NRM got 163 votes while Chiluba Fredrick of the FDC got 776 votes.
Were succeeds FDC’s Kato Paul who has been Guild President for the last one year.
The Makerere University Academic Staff Association (MUASA) Chairman, David Kamunyu Muhwezi congratulated Were upon his victory.
“I congratulate you Mr. Paapa Were Salim upon your election as the next Guild President of Makerere University. MUASA will work with you to enhance student learning and campus life. Congratulations once again,” Kamunyu wrote on his Facebook page.
While Were won with a comfortable lead, some of his opponents are already contemplating contesting his victory on grounds that he is facing criminal charges. But Police at Makerere told SoftPower News they have know knowledge of such charges except if they arise from outside their jurisdiction.
Some will recall that Were Salim, an FDC supporter made a dramatic political move last year when he marched to Parliament protesting the attempt by the ruling NRM to repeal the Presidential age limits from the constitution. He was arrested by Police and later released.
