The National Unity Platform (NUP) has endorsed Judith Nalukwago as Makerere University Guild Presidential aspirant.

Nalukwago was endorsed shortly after the young Makerere strike machine; Obed Obedgiu Derrick opted out of the race. Obed announced that he will not be offering himself as a candidate in the highly anticipated Mak guild elections as the new election roadmap is yet to be released.

“Salutations to you friends, I shan’t offer myself as a candidate in the forthcoming elections as was the case earlier. Thanks to all and sundry for the unwavering support,” Obed wrote on Facebook.

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Although Obed had won the flag bearer primaries early before the closure of the University due to the Covid-19 pandemic break-up, he has decided to give way to the fellow people power member Judith Nalukwago to aspire and promises undying support for her.

In a series of posts on her social media handles, Nalukwago announced that she will be running for the position of Guild President. She says that the seat of the Vice Guild President offered her an opportunity to assert her beliefs and push more for affordable education and education reforms.

“The Vice Guild Presidency presented to me a great opportunity to assert those beliefs and push more for affordable education and address systematic injustice against students in general and women in particular. This struggle is always a work in progress,” Nalukwago said.

She added, “The task before us is an uphill one, but the power of our resolve will be the steam that gets our train moving. In the coming days, I will share broadly about this noble aspiration and what I have in plan for us all.”

Makerere University might get a female guild president after seven years. Anne Adeke Ebaju is the Youth Female Representative in Parliament.

The University now has four candidates in the race; Tumusiime Joseph (independent), Ogutti Aaron (independent), Muhwezi Maczxxon (NRM) and the only lady Judith Nalukwago (NUP). However the competition is between the NRM flag bearer and the NUP aspirant as they wait for the date of 30th March to decide the new elect Guild President.

The Mbale City Woman MP-elect, Connie Nakayenze Galiwango has finally filed defense before the Mbale High Court in response to the 123 affidavits earlier submitted by Lydia Wanyoto Mutende, who is challenging her victory citing discrepancies in the electoral process.

Galiwango defeated her competitor, Wanyoto, with a range of over 20,000 votes, after scoring 40,702 votes (53.2%) against Wanyoto’s 25,276 votes (33%) in the January 14^th elections.

Other candidates in the race were; Robinah Masibo from the National Unity Platform party (NUP) who garnered 6565 votes, Maimuna Nambuya with 1852 votes, Shadia Luwungule, who had lost in the NRM primaries got 1382 votes and Racheal K Nansubuga trailed with 643 votes.

Wanyoto, on March 2, filed 123 affidavits, which she said contained all the evidence that are enough to nullify Galiwango’s victory and order for vote recount.

She told reporters in a press conference that her victory had been robbed by Galiwango whom she accused of ordering the brutalization of her (Wanyoto’s) polling agents.

“My polling agents from Bugema, Nakaloke, and Bukasakya and Bungokho-Mutoto sub counties were beaten by the supporters of Nakayenze and my declaration forms destroyed. I can’t accept the results and we are going to Courts of Law to challenge this because I believe that I won the race but the Electoral Commission declared a wrong person,” she said.

Speaking to journalists after filing the defense, Galiwango noted that she is ready to face all the 123 witnesses who claim that she rigged the polls.

“I pray God helps me so I can see those people. That day, I want to look into their eyes and see them giving evidence against me, because it is like somebody finding you with your hen and claims that it is theirs,” she said.

“I am happy my lawyers and I read all the 123 affidavits and responded to them and we are now ready to face the Court. I saw some people citing bribery, I am ready to see someone testifying that I or my agent gave them the money,” Galiwango added.

She called upon the people of Mbale City whom she referred to as “my energy” to walk with her as they defend their victory since “it is you the people of Mbale who voted for me and therefore the petition is against you too.”