Makerere Guild Race Heats Up as Hannah Karema Unveils ‘Reboot The Ivory Tower’ Campaign

The race for the 92nd Guild Presidency at Makerere University is gaining momentum, with one candidate standing out for both message and tone. Hannah Karema Tumukunde, among the 13 cleared contenders, has officially launched her bid with a bold and symbolic campaign slogan: “Reboot The Ivory Tower.”

Her message is clear—Makerere needs a reset.

Drawing from a technology-inspired metaphor, Tumukunde likens the university’s current administrative system to a malfunctioning computer in need of a reboot. In her view, systemic inefficiencies, repeated managerial missteps, and what she calls a culture of unfulfilled promises have weakened student trust in leadership.

Her manifesto directly challenges university management, accusing it of failing to deliver on commitments made to students. One of the key issues she highlights is the unfulfilled promise regarding the return of physical or open-air campaigns—an issue that has stirred debate across campus.

“There is an urgent need to keep management in check. Makerereans are not young children to be lied to,” she states in her manifesto, signaling a confrontational but calculated approach to student leadership.

Tumukunde’s rhetoric appears to resonate with a growing section of the student body that feels increasingly sidelined in decision-making processes. Her campaign taps into a broader sentiment of frustration among students who cite a persistent gap between official communication and actual implementation.

The guild race at Makerere has historically been a significant barometer of student political consciousness in Uganda, often shaping national discourse. This year’s contest is no different, with candidates expected to address not only student welfare but also governance, accountability, and institutional transparency.

As campaigns intensify, attention is also turning to how candidates will navigate restrictions and evolving campaign guidelines—issues that have already become central to Tumukunde’s platform.

With her sharp messaging and reform-driven agenda, Tumukunde has positioned herself as a candidate of disruption—one seeking not just to lead, but to fundamentally change how Makerere operates. The coming weeks will determine whether her call to “reboot” the system translates into electoral momentum.