Tanzania’s former President Backs the prohibition of political parties in University Leaderships.
NEWS: The former President of the United Republic of Tanzania Jakaya Kikwete has supported the idea of excluding political party participation in Universities.
The former President was speaking during the Guild Leaders’ Annual Summit yesterday Monday at Makerere University’s Yusuf Lule Central Teaching Facility (CTF) hall.
Jakaya Kikwete said that making universities a hub of political activity could undermine their educational main focus and missions.
“If you make these Universities bedrocks of political activity, I am sure you may even choose lectures, this one is not from our party, we don’t want him. Some may fail their exam because of a political party” said Jakaya Kikwete.
His remarks come amid dissatisfaction among Makerere University students over the Makerere University Council’s decision to prohibit political party affiliation following the chaotic scenes between FDC and NUP that led to the death of UCU student identified as Betungura Bewatte.
For the first time in history this year Makerere University has held an election without the direct engagement of Political Parties within the Campus.
Former and Currents University leaders including Moses Omujugujugu the Students Leaders at MUK, Christopher Okidi Former Guild President Gulu University, Anna Adeke Ebaju Former Guild President MUK Ivan Bwowe Former Guild President MUK, opposed the decision saying that it’s not true that political party activities encourage violence but the shrinking space remains a tool to encourage violence.
On the other hand Sheillah Princess Obia Former Guild President Uganda Martyrs University and David Cassious backed the decision saying that without Political parties in Campuses gives students opportunities to learn vestry as they are not limited to a political party they may have subscribed too.
The engagement was attended by the prominent figures including Former Uganda’s Prime Minister Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, the Electoral Commission Chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama, and Members of Parliament among others.
