Toka Victor Given, a second year student from the School Of Social Sciences has won the highly contested Nkumba University Guild presidential election.
The University’s Chairperson Electoral Commission, Nduhura Jossy, declared Toka as the winner in the 7 men’s Guild presidential race this evening.
“Having tallied and verified all votes, I now declare Toka Victor Given as the Nkumba University Guild Presdident-elect.” He said
Adding that, “I am certain we have walked the journey of ensuring that Nkumba University students get free and fair elections.”
Toka scooped 289 out of the 1200 votes cast as National Resistance Movement stalwart, Arthur Andwineho came-in 2nd with 278 Votes.
3rd placed National Unity Platform’s Morris Ssemombo garnered 145 votes.
Coming-in 4th was NRM renegade, Amon Muhwezi who got 144 votes followed by Sharif Ssebina after registering 126 votes.
Guild Presidential candidates Imran Kigongo and Ngirabakunzi Daniel trailed with 111 and 87 respectively.19 votes were invalid.
By press time, Imran Kigongo, Daniel Ngirabakunzi and Morris Ssemambo had conceded defeat.
There were delays in the official announcement as disruption ensued from Toka Victor’s supporters who were citing faul play. Security was called in swiftly and calm was restored.
Toka becames the 27th Guild President of Nkumba University a midst external challenges imposed by COVID-19 and the recent Ebola outbreak not ignoring a potential upheaval created by the current political divide within the university but the ‘humble servant’ is certain he is the right person to encounter these challenges, ” I know the times are bad and that is why I am here, I have to find solutions to these problems,” he asserted.
Toka vowed to work with all leaders for the success he envisages “There is no room for for division, I am acutely aware that we are a private institution, this is the reason we need all hands on deck,”
His ascension to power will see Lawrence Mushabe’s tenure, came to an end. Mushabe won elections last year as an NRM flag bearer.
In September, NRM Nkumba University Chapter endorsed Arthur Andwineho as their Guild presidential flag bearer, Amon Muhwezi who lost in the primaries refuted the endorsement claiming that the primaries were marred with voter bribery.
This factor propelled Amon to join the race as an independent candidate, a miss calculation that has been attributed to NRM’s double loss.
In the build up to elections, Toka won sympathy from many students with his famous notion, ‘the humble servant’.
About 30% (1200/4000) of the students came out to vote in a number said to be highger compared to last year’s 12% (366/3000) turn-up.
Last week, this websites conducted an online opinion poll that gave Toka an early lead. Tap link below for details.
https://news.nkumbauniversity.ac.ug/?p=1427
Cong’s to his excellence Toka upon winning the race.
Let me thank all the contestant for the willingness and effort that u put for such a wonderful exercise and all the voters who supported the candidate at large