Makerere Sets December 2 Date for Senate Council Election Amid MUASA Concerns

What the report says

Makerere University has set December 2 for the election of two Senate representatives to its University Council for the 2026–2030 term, according to a roadmap issued by the Academic Registrar’s office. Nominations opened on November 3 and are due to close on November 17, with verification of candidates scheduled for November 18. The university said the vote will take place at a regular Senate meeting, use a secret ballot, and be overseen by the Returning Officer, with results expected to be reported to Council on December 4.

The process has drawn concern from the Makerere University Academic Staff Association (MUASA), which has called for a competitive and transparent election. In an open letter dated November 4, MUASA Chairperson Jude Ssempebwa said the association had heard worries that the selection process could fall short of democratic standards at a leading university. The group urged Senate to exercise its statutory role independently and reject any impression that candidates had already been chosen in advance.

MUASA also referred to a previous Council-related appointment in 2024, arguing that Senate had not fully carried out its election role in that case. The association further questioned remarks attributed to the Returning Officer about reaching consensus, saying consensus should not replace an actual election or be used to justify predetermined outcomes. The issue matters because the incoming Council will help guide Makerere’s governance and will be involved in selecting the next Vice-Chancellor, a decision with long-term implications for the university.