When the Muteesa I Royal University Electoral Commission called for prospective candidates for the Guild presidency to pick nomination forms two weeks back, seven students doted interest.
However, only three managed to return their nomination papers to the MRU EC by the time the Commission extended its deadline from 3rd April to 8th April 2017. The rules and regulations require the aspirants to raise at least 50 signatures from registered students of MRU.
The electoral body has already furnished the confident candidates with certificates of compliance.
The total number of nominated candidates comes to three after the nomination of Nkali Jackson. Nkali was earlier in the morning turned away due to issues with finance, but determined as he was, he returned later to straighten things out.
Below are the profiles of three candidates dully nominated today at 2:00pm?
Amanyire Milly (independent)
She has been at the top seat of Mass Communication Association as a treasurer. Milly has in the past two months managed to reinvent herself to attract old and new MRU students.
She attended Victoria Nile Jinja School in Jinja, Jinja Army boarding, Kamokole College in Mbabale and Bugwere High School.
Milly enrolled at MR University in 2015, pursuing a degree in Mass Communication and Journalism
Kirya Trust (National Resistance Movement (NRM)
Kirya was one of the major contenders for the ticket of NRM party with Muhumuza Alex, but with the help of NRM chairman at MRU Mr. Kyaligonza they betrayed Alex to offer himself a party ticket. They did not get into party primaries after the negotiation failed to develop consensus on a joint candidate. He is contesting on the NRM ticket.
He attended Kitoro hill view primary school and Nakateete SS.
Kirya enrolled at MR University in 2015, pursuing a degree in Business Management.
Nkali Jackson (Democratic Party (DP)
At one time dubbed super man, although this is yet to be demonstrated, Mr Nkali has always called for patience from those who doubt his ability to cause cracks in MRU and take power.
Running as a DP candidate, Mr Nkali had hoped to challenge all other candidates with the entire DP team backing, but this never was after a much strong to get 250,000/= for nomination.
Nkali enrolled at MR University in 2015, pursuing a degree in Education with Arts
Oketcho Willison (Forum for Democratic Change (FDC)
With backing from FDC, Mr Oketch will be using the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) structure at MRU to challenge other candidates. He held the position of GRC representing Tourism and Hotel Management department.
He attended Per year P/S, Kitende ss for “O” Level and German school in Entebbe for “A” Level
Oketcho enrolled at MR University in 2015, pursuing a degree in Tourism and Hotel Management
Having been a GRC, Oketcho has accused the ruling Democratic Party at MRU of, among others, being dishonest, misuse of guild funds, MRU being misrepresented and corrupt.
The EC began clearing the candidates today when Amanire Milly, Oketch Willison, Nkali Jackson and Kirya Trust were cleared, but it was Oketcho’s nomination today which brought classes to a standstill for the entire afternoon
Right from the Main Hostel, Education block to the nomination venue MRU Parliament to mango tree where his post-nomination rally took place, Oketcho’s supporters flaunted their support.
“We cannot comply with an impartial system of DP because it can never deliver victory to those that seek to cause a change in MRU.”
“We shall defy as my president Dr. Besigye says because we want to represent MRU to be everywhere, to build the image of the only Royal University in East and Central Africa and transform MRU to ensure that we enroll more students other than admitting few.” Oketcho said.
The Guild presidential candidates will officially begin their campaigns tomorrow until 19th April 2017. The MRU EC has set Apr.21, 2017, as the polling day for both the Guild presidential and GRC elections.