Kampala, April 15, 2026 — Kadondi Gracious has officially been sworn in as the 92nd Guild President of Makerere University, marking a new chapter in student leadership at Uganda’s premier institution.
Kadondi secured victory in the recently concluded guild elections with 6,801 votes, defeating her closest rival, Hannah Karema, who garnered 5,787 votes, according to results shared on social media platforms.
The swearing-in ceremony, held at the university, was attended by key political figures, including Lina Zed, Acting President of the National Unity Platform, and her deputy, Jacklyn Jolly, reflecting the growing intersection between student politics and national political movements.
“Our Acting President… and her Deputy… attended the swearing in ceremony of the 92nd Guild President H.E Kadondi Gracious… wishing her a successful term filled with servant leadership, transparency and patriotism,” the party posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Leadership transition
The ceremony also marked a formal handover from the outgoing Guild President, Ssentamu Churchill James, who led the 91st Guild government.
“The 91st Guild president… has successfully handed over to the 92nd Guild president today,” the Makerere Students’ Guild posted, thanking the outgoing leadership for “putting students first during your tenure.”
Expectations and reactions
Kadondi’s victory has drawn congratulatory messages from various leaders and commentators, including Shamim Nambassa, who urged her to remain committed to student interests.
“May you never betray the people’s cause, which is the main reason students entrusted you with this office,” she posted online.
A politically significant guild
Makerere’s guild presidency remains one of the most influential student leadership positions in Uganda, often serving as a springboard into national politics. Kadondi’s election on a National Unity Platform ticket underscores the continued political relevance of campus elections.
Her tenure is expected to focus on student welfare, governance transparency, and strengthening student representation amid evolving academic and political dynamics.
The new guild president now assumes office at a time when student leadership is increasingly seen as a critical voice in national discourse, with expectations high for impactful and accountable leadership.
