Makerere University students’ leaders divided over 210M Guild Budget

 

Members of Makerere University 81st Guild headed by Bala David Bwiruka are in a dilemma over the Shs. 210m guild budget yet to be passed.

After the reading of Uganda National budget on 11th June 2015, Guild members had a heated debate via their WhatsApp group regretting why they had not settled and passed theirs in time.

The student’s guild that sat on 31st May 2015 failed to pass the draft budget presented by the Guild Finance Minister, Kijjambu Michael citing abnormalities.

Members accused the minister for prioritizing petty issues and vowed never to pass the budget unless such issues are removed.

The Prime Minister had allocated his office shillings 24m while the Guild President’s office was allocated 35m.

“If real issues are not presented and you present the nonsense of office Carpets, air time throughout we shall oppose it,” Hon Bashir Bright a representative of students with disabilities said in response to the prime ministers allocation.

The chief editor of the Makererean in response noted that there was a need for the guild to understand their role in the budget process.

“The money allocated to the guild was 210 million shillings which is our ceiling. The role of the budget session now is to allocate this money to different guild activities,” Said Patricia Twasima.

She added; “while it is true that there were a few mishaps, in the last budget session and the people responsible might have failed in one way or another. It’s important for us not to create mountains out of anthills.”

The speaker is reported to have cautioned the members of the house during the failed budget session to desist from misusing social media especially those who were on WhatsApp.

Opposition members had prior to the session intimidated on how they would not pass the budget.

“Members, I call upon you to be Mature, I was not moved by your debate on WhatsApp where members said you would squeeze them (cabinet) in the house,” Jothan Burobuto told the GRCs.

In the heated debate, Hon Kyasimire’s Ronald, a member of the previous Makerere University 80th guild and Chairman Lumumba hall, advised members to uphold team work so as to have answers to all their questions.

“Very many things were passed in the 80th guild but the university has always kept a deaf ear to our concerns. Every new leadership comes with its own agenda, so the university has utilized our weakness because we don’t have continuity in our leadership,” said Kyasimire.

He added; “It shouldn’t be a question of who is higher in ranks. What we need is to work together as colleagues leaving out any differences that result along our journey to success as the 81st guild.”

Davidson Ndyabahika advised the guild members to stop bickering and finger pointing at each other but rather have a focus as a united focus if they were to remain relevant.

“We need to go back to the drawing board to fight for our relevance. If not this is just going to be seen as an activity as well as a ceremony of voting, swearing in and handing over without any constructive thing done,” Hon. Ndyabahika said.