Bala David Bwiruka  aka Tiger,  the newly elected Guild President of Makerere University was sworn in on Monday afternoon. The president was sworn in together with other members of the 81st Guild Cabinet comprising of Nyamutooro  Phiona as the Vice President and Odur Derrick as his Prime Minister among others plus the Guild Representative Council (GRC) members.

The ceremony which took place in the University main hall was graced by hundreds of cheering students and witnessed by academic officials.  Professor Okello Ogwang, the Deputy Vice Chancellor Academics represented the Vice Chancellor, Prof. John Ddumba Sentamu who is currently out of the country. The dean of Students,  Mr Kabagambe Cyrianco was also in attendance.

Present was the outgoing cabinet leaders led by Bwowe Ivan. Bala’s mother, an alumni to the University was also in attendance accompanied by close family members.

The installation of Bala David Bwiruka comes a week after his election. The event was presided over by Chark Benson,  the outgoing Guild Speaker.

Ssemboga Roy,  the chairperson Electoral Commission thanked students for their participation  in the Electoral process and asked for the amendment of the Guild Constitution  to avoid chaos.

In his speech,  Bwowe Ivan,  the outgoing Makerere university Guild President was apologetic to the booing crowd.

“I am sorry for not living up to your expectations and for the moments I got personal… “

“I thank all the members we have worked with and the student community for responding to our call.”

“We fought together 100% tuition policy,  graduation fee increment and meals, the fight is not over,  continue to fight with the new leadership.”

He tasked the incoming leaders to run the different projects left in the pipeline among them electronic voting program.

At the end of his speech,  revolved around apologies,  promises and appreciation,  Bwowe was given a standing ovation.

Incoming cabinet dignitaries were sworn in and handed over files by respective outgoing cabinet ministers.  The GRCs from different colleges and halls were also sworn in.

A moment was reserved for Bala’s mother,  Mrs Margaret Kasiko to say a word before her son could take to the podium.

She was full of praises for Makerere for having made the right choice and reminded her son to uphold the Christian values he was raised unto.

Bala’s turn to speak was greeted by jubilation and praises.  He received a standing ovation and was occasionally interrupted by the joyous audience during his speech.

Confident as always,  Bala reminded the public of his service to a mighty God. He reflected of how challenging his journey to the race was acknowledging that such tests help make better leaders.

“One thing I want you to learn is hope,  when everything is lost,  the last thing you can lose is hope, ” He said.

He thanked his mother for growing him up as a God fearing person an aspect that has made him stand as a man of valor.

He was full of praise to the Electoral commission and the University management despite the court battles that prevailed enabling him to only campaign for four days (his opponents had already campaigned for two weeks).

He further thanked his supporters and pledged a leadership based on consultation.

Bala promised to put to the front the social welfare of the staff,  demand for service delivery  and improving on the security within the University.

He tasked his new cabinet to deliver and threatened a cabinet reshuffle in areas of failure.

Bala finally asked for forgiveness for those he wronged and forgave those that wronged him.

“A Tiger does not brag of its trigitude,  you only see skeletons of an antelope and know the Tiger was here, ” concluded Bala with his legendary comment drawing another standing ovation from the audience.

The dean of Students, Mr Kabagambe Cyrianco had less to say.  He thanked the outgoing leadership and hinted the new cabinet need to live to expectations.

The acting vice chancellor,  Prof Okello Ogwang appealed to work with the new leadership through collectiveness  and dialogue.

He condemned violence that exhibits during elections and called for peace and cooperation between camps.

It should be noted that Bala released his cabinet list an hour to the swearing in ceremony. Among other appointed ministers include,  Kuteesa Ferdinand as the Campus Affairs Minister,  Kijjambu Michael as the Finance Minister and Ndyabahika Davidson as the information minister.

The Speakership and Clerk position are to be filled on Thursday.

Bala David Bwiruka camp is meant to have a victory party tomorrow at his hall of residence,  University hall.

Makerere University Guild President’s message of gratitude to students

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  Bala David Bwiruka, Makerere university, Makerere university guild politics, Makerere university Guild President 2015/2016, students politics