By Allan Okwir

KIU, Western Campus - The KIU Western Campus students’ community was treated to an unexpected show of a high-level, politically peaceful parade. The open-air campaign, held on Monday, 14th April 2025, by 2pm at the basketball court, featured various candidates addressing a crowd of enthusiastic supporters, as momentum builds for the Guild Elections taking place on Thursday, 17th April 2025.

Before the open-air campaign, the procession saw various candidates on top of cars, with a bevy of supporters accompanying them with dances, vuvuzelas and music, catching the attention of the general students’ community.

In his opening remarks, Donald Orata, the Chairperson of the Electoral Committee 2025, urged the various candidates to stick to the electoral guidelines and remain peaceful, as security will not hesitate to deal with anybody who brings trouble.

The candidates, fuelled by the support from the crowd, took to the podium to articulate their manifestos to the students. Contestants were drawn from all the faculties and schools - representatives from the Faculty of Science and Technology (FST), Faculty of Biomedical Sciences (FBMS), Faculty of Clinical Medicine and Dentistry (FCMD), Schools of Pharmacy (SOP), and the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS). Others are the School of Law (SOL), School of Allied Health Sciences (SAHS), School of Nursing Sciences (SONS), Faculty of Business and Management (FBM), and Faculty of Education (FOE). Contestants from student hostels, persons with disabilities and access programmes were equally represented.

In her remarks, Madam Hadijah Nantale, the Dean of Students’ Affairs, urged the candidates to have respect for one another and all the university authorities while also upholding a high level of integrity and honesty; anyone caught in any election malpractice will face the disciplinary committee.

“To the voters, please, as we embark on this, know that this activity is not only your right but your responsibility. As these candidates come to talk to you, please listen attentively and carefully so you can make informed choices.” She added.

The 2025 Guild Parliamentary Elections into the 11th Guild Union at the Western Campus have attracted 56 candidates, with 22 females and 33 males. Each Faculty/School are sending 4 representatives from the categories of first-year representatives, male and female Members of Parliament (MP).

With the students going into polls on Thursday, 17th April 2025, the various candidates have embarked on campaigns with the aim of making the cut.

Kampala International University cherishes and commits to students’ involvement in their leadership, conversations and making decisions, with their voices being considered to better their experience. Beyond these, the exercises allow character development that grooms better leaders, and the supportive environment sets a stage for them to grow.