Makerere University’s culture minister resigns after suspension over Freshers’ Ball chaos

What the report says

Makerere University student leader Edward Mutebi has resigned as Minister for Culture, Mobilisation and Social Affairs in the 92nd Guild Cabinet, one day after Guild President Gracious Kadondi suspended him for 29 days while investigations continued into disorder at the university’s Freshers’ Ball. Sqoop Uganda reported that Mutebi’s resignation letter was dated November 2, 2026 and said he was leaving immediately, ending his tenure that began on April 15, 2026.

The dispute centers on the October 31 event at Impis Rugby Grounds, where a confrontation broke out during singer Fik Fameica’s performance. According to the report, Kadondi went on stage with members of her team to address students, which interrupted the set and led to a clash involving security personnel. The Guild President’s office said Mutebi failed to meet expected standards of conduct, while her suspension notice ordered him to stop performing ministerial duties and hand over official materials.

Mutebi’s letter accused Kadondi and the Vice President of missing planning meetings and claimed the Guild President later sought backstage access for her entourage without accreditation. He also said the incident exposed broader tensions in the cabinet and described the Freshers’ Ball as a turning point. The Guild leadership, through Prime Minister Fahad Ndawula Kimera, offered a different account, saying the clash arose from a scheduling conflict over who would speak first.

The resignation leaves open questions about how major guild events are run and about relations within Makerere’s student leadership. Sqoop Uganda said the matter is still linked to the wider investigation into the Freshers’ Ball disruption.