Prof Anyang' Nyong'o (R). /HANDOUT
The Makerere University was established in 1922 as a technical school for teaching building construction, mechanics and carpentry.
Under the mantra “We Build for the Future”, the university opened its doors to the first set of 14 students that year and embarked on building its portfolio and brand scaling up to become the affiliate college of the University of London.
Later, in 1963, Makerere became part of the University of East Africa which had constituent colleges or campuses in Nairobi (that would later be upgraded into a full university – the University of Nairobi) and Tanzania (that later transitioned into University of Dar es salaam).
On October 10, 1969, the Makerere Students Guild, the student’s representative council, held the elections for the 1969-70 academic year. That election remains important and significant. It is an election that would be remembered for a long time.
For the very first time in the University’s then 47 years of existence, a non-Ugandan - one Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o - had polled 1,088 votes against Bakulumpagi-Wamala’s 626 votes, and Paul Wangoola’ s 224 votes to be elected as Guild President! This win deserved great admiration having been secured by Anyang’ Nyong’o at a time when the East Africa Community (EAC), established by the 1967 Treaty, had started facing significant political and economic difficulties and, as a result, the relationships between the three member countries (Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania) was quickly deteriorating.
The overthrow of President Milton Obote of Uganda, a close ally of President Julius Nyerere of Tanzania, by Obote’s Army General Idi Amin and the take-over of the civilian reins of power in Kampala by the army were some of the consequences of the EAC tensions.
In an election where the electorate comprised of students drawn from across the EAC region, the winner - most certainly - had to deploy a unique strategy. This is the secret that caused the permanent inscription of the name of Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o in the records of the one of the oldest and most prestigious Universities in Africa and the world over. It remains unclear whether the political science classes that were running in parallel to the election campaigns had a role in the win.
Fast forward to August 7, 2004, I arrived at Makerere University to study Urban Planning, transitioning from a fortuitous, but nevertheless rewarding, two years of A-Level studies at Bugema Adventist School, some kilometres north of Kampala.
Upon collecting my admission documents from the Academic Registrar’s Office located in Senate Building, a five-storey office block that every student hated to pass through, I walked into Makerere Students Guild offices where a framed monochrome of the 1969-70 Guild Cabinet conspicuously displayed on a wall.
Monochrome of Makerere Students Guild cabinet of 1969-70 academic year.
Still venerated decades later, the photo beamed the younger face of one Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o, Makerere Guild President, and his Cabinet that comprised of Joshua Baitwa Mugyenyi (Deputy President), Daudi Mulabya Taliwaku (Minister for National and Pan-African Affairs), Naomi Akelo (Minister for Information) and Pao Paul Wangola (Minister Without Portfolio). Another Kenyan, a lean Dalmas Otieno Anyango was also visible in the photo, standing right behind the seated Guild President.
Viewed across the entire East Africa region as an intellectual incubation centre, the Makerere Students Guild remains a breeding ground for future generation of leaders and an innovation platform moulding minds of students and building brilliant futures. The structure of the student leadership consists of the Guild Government, Student leadership in Halls of Residences and Games Union.
The Guild president heads the structure and is democratically elected by the students in accordance with the existing guidelines. The Guild president holds the office for one year term. Guild elections are held every academic year in the Second Semester. A strong Guild, 90 years later!
The Makerere University Students Guild has achieved significant milestones since inception demonstrating resilience that can be emulated across Africa. All former Guild presidents have come together under the auspices Makerere University Guild League, a caucus of Former Guild Presidents with the view to continue “Building for the Future”, themselves having been build to face the challenges of today’s world by their Alma Matta.
On 28 March 2025, the Guild celebrated its 90th Anniversary and yet, still counting. Indeed, the Makerere clarion “We Build for the Future” clearly manifests in the Guild’s resilience.
The president of the current Guild, Lubega Vincent Nsamba, visited Kenya prior to the event to personally invite Prof Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o to grace the event as Chief Guest.
“As we met at my home and shook hands with Vincent, I saw him in the same passion and determination that once fuelled me when I served as President of the 1969/1970 Guild” said Prof Nyong’o, who is also the Governor of Kisumu county and current Patron of the Makerere Group in Kenya.
The 90th Guild Anniversary Celebrations the Makerere Centennial Celebrations held in 2022 to mark a century of excellent services, and offer a chance to look beyond, and see how to “Leverage 100 years of Excellence in Building a Transformed Society”.
While speaking at the event in Kampala, Prof Nyong’o reminded participants that “…leadership is more than a position; it is a commitment to service and transformation...”
