Makerere to Beef Up Security During Guild Elections, E.C Warns Against Hooliganism

Police in Makerere University have said they are ready to deploy accordingly to ensure a secure electoral process as the students take to the polls tomorrow, Wednesday to choose their leaders.

Today is the last day of the campaigns with the closing rally slated for this evening at the Freedom Square. A total of 15 candidates are vying for Guild President

The Chief Security Officer, ACP Abeine Enock told journalists on Tuesday that Police is prepared to ensure that the last rally is free of violence and that Wednesday’s elections are conducted in a calm manner.

He was Tuesday addressing the press together with the Chairperson of the Makerere University Guild Electoral Commission, Isaac Isabirye at the Guild Offices at the main campus.

“Our mandate is to secure the university – students, staff and property, and the electoral process. We started with the candidates’ nomination exercise and we shall continue today with the final campaigns and tomorrow’s voting,” ACP Abeine said.

He further stated; “We expect chaos especially at the final rally and the aftermath of the elections for those who want to protest, but we shall handle. Whoever contravenes the law will be brought to book”.

Voting will open at 8am on Wednesday morning and close at 5pm according to the electoral body, with at least 18,000 students registered to vote.

Isaac Isabirye, the electoral chief gave assurance that all is set and that the electoral body will deliver credible results.

“We are very set. All the logistics are available. We don’t expect any form of hooliganism or campaigning on voting day. Any candidate involved in such will be disqualified and that is non negotiable,” Isabirye said to the press.

He said that the Electoral Commission will announce the winner four hours after the last batch of the results have been returned to the tally centre, as stipulated by the law.

Weeks ago, the Makerere University Management called off the guild elections citing lack of; clarity on candidates, Presiding Officers and voters’ register. But Isabirye said that all these issues have since been dealt with.

Regarding possible violence at the tally centre as has been the case previously, Isabirye said that Police has promised to provide security to ring up 20 metres around the tally centre.

ACP Abeine said; “The tally centre will be out of bounds for those who are not required there”.