Campus news

By Andrew Kiwanuka.

As known to most ,leadership is an uphill task. there are qualities one has to posses in order to succeed. Being courageous to be differentiated from ordinary members of society is what makes a leader.Nkumba university experienced an un rare occurrence of having a guild president who never completes his tenure of office.Lufunya Derrick, son of Erasmus Magulu maali,a legislator in Uganda’s eighth parliament failed to stand the taste of time. We analyse factors that first helped him rise to power and whether he really worked for it or the conditions at the time favoured him plus why he didn't complete his tenure of office.

Censorship from Okebe’s government.

Lufunya who held the position of chief justice in his former ally’s government had problems arising from inflating costs for producing a new constitution . The then parliament sought to get rid of him as they would not accept to be robbed in broad day light.To exacerbate matters, he fell with his boss Okebe, due to relationship issues and his censorship became inevitable. This was a blessing in disguise as he used it as a platform to campaign for presidency.

The Nnaabagereka factor

The only female hall of residence had trust in Lufunya even before he declared his intentions of running for guild presidency. Some never really had a reason for supporting him. They liked him because of his looks and indeed voted him to office.

Disorganized and weak opposition

His greatest challenger,Akwanya Andrew would easily have taken the day had it not been for the many contestants.Lufunya took advantage of Mahande Joshua’s complacency who thought all was well on the ground but was shocked when he only garnered a paltry 51 votes on the first day of elections. Other candidates in the race who included Cathy Kalayi,Deng Junior and little known Jane Kariuki provided minimal challenge ,all which worked in Lufunya’s favour.

The factors above seem to suggest that Lufunya’s path to guild presidency was more smooth than rough .It was therefore incumbent upon him to deliver to this supporters expectations but he didn't .Those interested in taking this top most job should avoid the following factors which led not only to the collapse, but also a stint of the last guild government in office.

Disrespecting the parliament

May be he would have served up to the middle of his tenure had it not been for his lack of recognizing the strength of the then parliament.Lufunya continued to manifest and exercise his powers without seeking parliamentary approval even on sensitive issues. For example when parliament censored Lubega Andrew, the then minister of information, Lufunya re-instated him arguing that he is the only one capable of serving in that position, something that parliament saw as abuse of office by the president and contempt of the house. They immediately declared war on him and his close associates Lubega inclusive.

The zambogo factor.
The Baganda cultural institutional grouping which Lufunya subscribes to was no doubt responsible for the mobilisation exercise that saw him rise to power.He however, failed to control its influence over him and ended up mixing it with his office. No wonder there fore , that even his ministerial appointments was based on how much support to zambogo one had. Infact many members from the grouping walked away with huge offices regardless of their incompetence. It is also said that zambogo always ill-advised him on all matters of how to handle students money and created ego plus regarding whoever never supported zambogo as a direct enemy to the president.

Parallel and poor advisors

Despite appointing different advisors,Lufunya never took any of their warnings save for only his left hand side man Lubega.Worse still, the advisors like Nantajja had personal motives and wanted to use their positions for their selfish ends. This resulted in mudslinging and mistrusts even among themselves.

The calendar factor.

The idea of printing calendars which were to be sold compulsory to new students at 10000sh was in itself not a bad idea but the handling was amateur. In the first place the selection of photos which were to be used on the calendars provided a huge battle .Secondly the returns seemed hard to be equitably distributed. In the end Lufunya was labeled a thief and self wishing who only wanted to use others for his personal gains .They fuelled efforts of censoring him and his exit was bound to happen. Those vying for the position this time round ought to take note of this if they wish to be creative and make more money by printing guild calendars.

Continued fighting from his predecessor.

It is not clear whether Okebe,the man who Lufunya succeeded in office wanted to be guild president foe life. The former continued fighting the latter even when it was clear that he could not serve in the new government. The reason is that Okebe wanted to destabilize his successor so as not to surpass his achievements.Okebe was always heard jubilating whenever Lufunya was in trouble. He is also said to have convinced some members of the new parliament to fail Lufunya so as he does not settle to deliver on his promises.

Uncalled for demonstration

Finally Lufunya on the advice of his loyalties decided to carry out a demonstration in front of the dean of students' office accusing him of interfering in the guild affairs. They carried beddings and vowed to stay there Trans night. This was the final blow that struck the camel’s back as the administration came out immediately to put all guild activities on hold and marked the end of Derrick Lufunya’s era.