Kadondi Gracious Elected 92nd Guild President of Makerere University
Kadondi Gracious has been elected the 92nd Guild President of Makerere University, emerging victorious in one of the most competitive and politically charged student elections in the institution’s recent history.
The election, conducted digitally via the Makerere AIMS student portal on Wednesday, April 9, 2026, saw Kadondi secure 6,801 votes, defeating her closest rival, former Miss Uganda Hannah Karema Tumukunde, who garnered 5,787 votes. The 1,014-vote margin reflects a decisive win for the National Unity Platform (NUP)-affiliated candidate.
Full Election Results
The final tally from across all colleges and campuses placed Kadondi firmly in the lead, followed by Karema and a field of 11 other candidates:
Kadondi Gracious — 6,801 votes (Winner)
Tumukunde Hannah Karema — 5,787 votes
Kyajja Peter Claveri — 1,493 votes
Nyaika Daniel — 1,147 votes
Nzanga Mark — 595 votes
Mujuzi Mike Flugensio — 408 votes
Tebakor Jimmy Prince — 184 votes
Mbabazi Theresa Tracy — 148 votes
Semanda Ashiraf — 121 votes
Serunkuma Timothy — 68 votes
Lubango Jackson — 65 votes
Bulumba Timothy — 61 votes
Atuha Cohen — 35 votes
How Kadondi Secured Victory
Kadondi’s victory was largely driven by strong performances in the university’s largest colleges. She dominated the College of Health Sciences (1,126 votes), College of Business and Management Sciences (855 votes), College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (777 votes), and the College of Computing and Information Sciences (676 votes).
While Karema remained competitive—particularly in COBAMS and the College of Education and External Studies—she was unable to match Kadondi’s consistency across multiple voting blocs.
Kadondi also edged out Karema at the Jinja Campus and performed strongly in key units like the School of Public Health, which significantly contributed to her winning margin.
Beyond campus politics, Kadondi’s victory carries broader national implications. Her open alignment with the National Unity Platform, coupled with high-profile endorsements during the campaign, positioned the race as more than just a student leadership contest.
The election outcome is likely to be interpreted as a reflection of shifting political sentiment among young Ugandans, especially within one of the country’s most influential academic institutions during its centenary celebrations.
Karema’s Strong Showing
Despite the loss, Hannah Karema Tumukunde’s campaign remains one of the most impactful in recent guild election history. Running on the “Reboot The Ivory Tower” platform, she addressed key student concerns including tuition policy, supplementary exams, cost of living, and political freedoms on campus.
Her ability to mobilize widespread support and secure 5,787 votes underscores a strong political presence and leaves open the possibility of future leadership roles.
Kadondi now assumes leadership at a time when student expectations are high and campus governance remains under scrutiny. Her administration will be closely watched on how it navigates student welfare, academic policy concerns, and the broader question of political space within the university.
Her victory marks not just a change in leadership, but a defining moment in Makerere University’s evolving student political landscape.