I’ll expose lecturers who demand for sex- Bala

Last year, on March 21, when I set out to meet the then newly elected Makerere University guild president, Ivan Bwowe He had just been pronounced winner a day before. I noticed how exhausted he was.

Bwowe’s lips were dry, his face was a little pale and whenever he opened up his mouth to say something, one could clearly see that he was straining his voice. It was all as a result of the previous hectic campaigns, he later said.

So, when I went out again, about a week back, to meet David Bwiruka Bala who now is the new guild president of the university, also, a day after the elections, I expected to find him almost in the same state.

Bala was instead the opposite. His face was radiant while his lips were moisturised. On top of this, he was very composed and dedicated an entire one hour purposely for the interview and gave limited room for interruptions including phone calls that kept coming in from to time which he kept ignoring.

Bala obtained 5, 564 votes. Musa Mwine followed with 2696 votes. Ten candidates had been vying for the position, Bala inclusive.

Why he had a low-key campaign
Unlike most of the other contestants who had enough time to do campaigns, Bala was instead in and out of court challenging the decision made by the university to expel him from the guild race on grounds of poor performance.

The 23-year-old was told he was not on normal progress because he had a retake which was an automatic disqualification for contesting.

“The truth was I never had a retake and that is why the case was later quashed,” he says.
Bala believes that the academic allegations were made up because of his involvement in activism including participating in a demonstration turned strike that transpired at the university in February 2013 challenging the 60 percent tuition policy. It required students to pay the percentage of their tuition fees before sitting for any tests.

Despite such hindrances, he says he had to use the shortest time, about four days, to campaign and was fortunate enough to emerge winner.

Why he stood for guild president
On why he stood for the position, the second year student of Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences says first, it was because of his passion for leadership.

“Right from high school, I always pictured myself as a guild president and worked towards that by contesting in different prefectorial positions,” he says.

During O- Level at Jinja College, he was elected as deputy head prefect. It was also at the same school where he was chosen head prefect after going back to study A- Level. He was then voted as the national president of the Uganda Secondary Schools Prefects Association, an organisation that brings together all prefects.
He held this particular position for one year.
The second reason was because he wanted to resolve the continuous issues that keep coming up at the institution.

“Makerere University is not what it was many years back and I wanted to be that student representative that will work on reviving its lost glory,” he says.

Bala points out some of the problems the university continues to face such as corruption, constant strikes and lecturers demanding for sex in exchange for good marks, among others.

“I will be sitting down with the other student representatives to see how to resolve these various issues,” he says, adding, “But one of the things that I really want to embark on is to expose those male lectures who demand for sex from female students in exchange for good grades. It is such a big issue here at this university and needs to be fixed. ” He stressed the point with a lot of authority and vigour.
On handling the fame so far
Unlike before when he was just like any other ordinary student, Bala says he is now mindful of the things he does.

“I am a leader now and have to be exemplary in most of my actions including the way I talk, dress and behave,” he says.
Another important thing he says he will not forget is academics.

“Of course other students will always be looking out to see how I have performed so I am going to make sure that I work as twice as hard as everybody else.”

As he starts his term, his predecessor Bwowe advises him to always listen to students, try as much as possible to be objective and work with a team that will help him achieve the desired goals.

The perks of being guild president

An official guild president car and guild van
A fully furnished office and apartment
Transport allowances
Trips to various destinations within and outside the country
A salary (When I asked Bala how much he would be earning as guild president, he smiled before saying that he was not sure of the amount).

Family and education history:
The 23-year-old was born in Mulago hospital to Steven Nkoba Bwiruka, a businessman and Samali Tumwesige, a housewife. He is the last born of five children. He attended Little Angels Nursery School in Jinja, St Peters Primary School in Nsambya, Vic View Primary School in Jinja where he completed P.7 before finally joining Jinja College where he studied from S.1 to S.6. He is a second year student currently studying a Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences at Makerere University as well as the founder of the Student’s Brotherhood, an association he formed last year which is instrumental in bringing together students from various universities to advocate for change and putting a stop to dictatorship.

Quick hits

Do you have a girlfriend?
No, I am not dating anyone at the moment.
How about a relationship, have you been in one before?

No, I have never dated before. Not being in a relationship is a choice I made reflecting on my strong Christian background. This may sound awkward to some people but it is the truth.
When you eventually decide to date, what kind of qualities will you be looking out for then in a woman?

I would want to date a woman who adds value to my life. I mean someone with brains and who is understanding. For instance, if I cannot go on an outing with her, I would expect her not to lash out but understand probably because I am working. Also, I would love a God fearing woman.
Do you have a favourite quote?

I do not really have a favourite quote. Instead, I am inspired and motivated by always trusting in the Lord. I have always seen a way out whenever I leave everything to God.

Your message to the youth …
Do not take short cuts in life but rather the rightful procedures if you want to make it. Work hard and never lose hope in whatever you do.