The electoral process for the Guild student Leadership at UTAMU was finally concluded with the swearing in ceremony conducted at the University Campus this Wednesday.
After a month of selecting the Electoral Commission, nominations, campaigns and elections, Akiim Ali Ojok emerged the victor and the 1st Guild President of UTAMU, beating his contender Simplisio Ariho by a the majority Vote of 87%.
Ojok, his vice, Joan JakaJex, Ministers and the Guild Representative Council took oaths swearing to “to uphold, preserve, protect and defend the Guild constitution as well as to promote the values and norms of Uganda Technology and Management University. They also promised to serve to the best of their ability.
Presiding over the ceremony, the Dean, School of Computing and Engineering, Assoc. Prof. Dr. John Ngubiri emphasized the importance of good character in leadership.
Quoting the Quran and Bible concurrently, Ngubiri cited Prophet Suleiman as a good listener, a quality which he said made him a good leader and outstanding. He also referred to Joseph as “a man of integrity”; a character he said saw him rise to second in command to Pharaoh of Egypt even though he was in foreign land.
“You have to make an effort to develop listening skills if you are to understand student’s issues and effectively represent them to the Management. Let me reiterate that without character, some of you will be tested and found wanting. Students will be looking to you for help but also testing you to see whether you have the ability to deliver without compromising your integrity,” he said.
During his inaugural speech, the Guild President, Ojok urged leaders to always prioritise UTAMU core values of Integrity, Fairness, Confidentiality, Reliability and Team Work.
Addressing the students and the newly sworn in leadership Ojok said, “Ours is an uphill task which will require service as opposed to leadership. I urge you to work together and serve diligently.
He tasked leaders to arm themselves with the desire to achieve milestones adding that it is from the results that their leadership will be assessed and their contribution remembered in history.
Kenneth Twesigye, the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission re-emphasized service above self noting that as the 1st student leadership team, they have to set a precedent others will aim to live up.
