Christian university bans political activities in Uganda

A Christian university in Mbabara, Western Uganda prevents students from engaging in political activities.

Vice chancellor Mauda Kamatenesi said during the swearing in of the new students guild council that, as a Christian educational institution, Bishop Stuart University is non-partisan and it welcomes people of different views.

"I stand to remind you again of the mission, vision and values of this university that include being non-partisan," Kamatenesi said over the weekend, as quoted by IOL. "You are all requested not to bring political party politics to this university as any such groups would violate what we stand for."

According to the professor, SBU is able to attract different groups as development partners because of its non-political stance. And while she herself belongs to a political party, it is not reflected or shown at the university.

According to The Daily Monitor, there are some students who think that this ban is an infringement of their rights and that a revision to the policies is necessary. However, Kamatenesi explained that the university's stance does not violate students' rights since they can always express their freedoms outside the campus.

On the other hand, student leaders reportedly support the university in this matter since the policy prevents rivalry and divisions among them.

"Most of the strikes in some of the high institutions of learning are facilitated by parties, movements and divisions," said outgoing guild president Bernabas Nsengiuva, "and I think this is partly the reason the university has never had strikes since its inception."

Moreover, Nsengiuva expressed that while political parties could be good for democracy, it could also be cause for violence if not handled correctly.

The outgoing guild council headed by Nsengiuva was lauded for the things they accomplished, and these include having been able to start a multi-purpose complex, having completed the guild chambers, having set up a guild forest, among others.

Alex Mwesiga and the other members of new guild council, meanwhile, are expected to uphold values, including academic excellence, moral integrity, relentless service, compassion, and transparency.