Students body regrets having Museveni as patron

Mr Abubakar Matanda (3ndR), the UNSA president, and other executive members address students during celebrations to mark International Students Day at Bishop Stuart University in Mbabara on Monday. PHOTO BY RAJAB MUKOMBOZI.

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The students say they are not benefiting from the President.

MBARARA- Uganda National Students Association (UNSA) leaders have expressed dissatisfaction with their patron President Museveni, saying he has not benefited the association.

During a four-day retreat in Mbarara District to mark International Students Day, leaders resolved, among others, to create a position of an executive patron, who will handle the day-to-day businesses of the association.

The association’s constitution provides for a ceremonial patron who shall be the sitting President of the time.

“Having the President as our patron has been a challenge, the patronage of our current President does not give us the necessary support, which is why we have resolved to have an executive patron,” said Mr Brian Tumusiime, who read the resolutions.

Mr Dennis Obita, the UNSA secretary for information and publicity, said: “Our efforts to have the attention of our patron have been always frustrated by either him or those around him, he has also turned a blind eye on us, and we have not benefited from his patronage in terms of advice, counsel and other support.”

No guidance
Ms Evelyn Aijuka, the guild speaker Makerere University Business School, Mbarara Campus, said the President’s patronage has been without guidance and support in terms of resources.

The students also expressed concern, saying the attitude expressed by the President towards them could be the reason which explains why many of the government departments and ministries are ignoring student’s growth and their issues.

Mr Abubakar Matanda, the UNSA president, said despite the challenges they are going through, the association is committed to revive the students’ movement so that they are listened to whenever they speak.