By Ritah Rose Kalendera

The 2026 national and local government elections once again highlighted the fact that Makerere University trains and makes public leaders. Several former Guild Presidents, Vice Guild Presidents, and other members of the Makerere community have stepped beyond the university gates into public office, winning seats in the 12th Parliament of Uganda (2026–2031), as well as positions as mayors and local government councillors across the country.

Their journeys reflect how the experience of leadership at Makerere can become a foundation for service in the wider public arena.

Robert Maseruka

89th Guild President (2022-2023) – Member of Parliament for Mukono South

For Robert Maseruka, Makerere University marked the beginning of a political journey that has now taken him to Parliament as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Mukono South. At 24, he will be the youngest member of the 12th Parliament.

Reflecting on his election victory, he describes the moment as both fulfilling and humbling. “It’s a joy to succeed at anything,” he says, adding that leadership always carries weight and responsibility.

During his time as Guild President, Maseruka gained first-hand experience in administration, negotiation, and political engagement — skills that he believes prepared him for national leadership.

Robert Maseruka

“Makerere was my stepping stone for where I am. I learnt how administration works and also how to deal with people in politics,” he says.

Serving students required navigating competing interests, responding to criticism, and engaging university management — experiences that closely resemble the realities of national politics.

“Challenges are part of any journey and if you never meet them, then that is not a race,” he says.

Those experiences, he adds, have helped him understand how to represent a diverse constituency, balancing expectations from citizens with different social and educational backgrounds.

Lawrence Alionzi

88th Guild President (2021-2022) – Mayor of Arua City

Another leadership journey that began on the university hill is that of Lawrence Alionzi, the 88th Guild President of Makerere University, who has now been elected Mayor of Arua City.

Alionzi describes the victory as deeply humbling.

“I feel deeply humbled. The people entrusted me with a significant responsibility at a young age, and I do not take that lightly,” he says.

His time as Guild President exposed him to the practical realities of leadership, including mobilisation, negotiation, accountability, and representation.

“I often say that I have never attended a formal school of leadership. Makerere was that school for me,” he says.

Lawrence Alionzi

Campaigning in a rapidly growing city like Arua presented significant challenges. Grassroots mobilisation required enormous effort, while the influence of money in politics often made issue-based campaigning difficult.

At 26, Alionzi also had to confront skepticism about youth leadership. Some critics argued that young leaders lack experience. Despite this, he believes leadership should ultimately be judged by competence and vision rather than age.

Shamim Nambassa

87th Guild President (2020–2021) – LC V Woman Councillor, Kawempe South

Shamim Nambassa, a pharmacist, first gained national attention when she became the 87th Guild President of Makerere University, one of the few women to hold the position in the university’s history.

In the 2026 elections, she transitioned from student leadership to local government after winning the seat of LC V Woman Councillor for Kawempe South.

“I’m grateful to the people for supporting and voting for me, as well as my party for entrusting me with the ticket,” Nambassa said after her victory.

However, she also raised concerns about the broader electoral environment, noting that the campaign period was marked by arrests, violence, and irregularities that affected the political climate. Despite these challenges, she believes her leadership experience at Makerere played a decisive role in her victory.

Shamim Nambassa

“Makerere for me is more than just the institutional management, but the students, the alumni, and even the neighbours,” she says.

Her time as Guild President provided a platform to demonstrate leadership ability while also building networks that proved valuable during her campaign.

Like many young candidates, she also encountered scepticism about youth leadership and faced the financial demands associated with campaigning. Yet her election marks another example of how student leadership at Makerere can evolve into public service.

Other members of the Makerere community elected to public office

Beyond these former Guild Presidents, many other members of the Makerere community, including former Guild leaders, university staff, and administrators, were also elected to public office in the 2026 elections.

Members of Parliament

• Dr. Crispus Walter Kiyonga, Chancellor of Makerere University – MP for Bukonzo West
• Rt. Hon. Thomas Tayebwa, former Chairman of the Finance, Planning, Administration and Investment Committee of the University Council – MP for Ruhinda North (and Deputy Speaker of the 11th Parliament)
• Mr. Gyaviira Lubowa Ssebina, former Deputy Bursar – MP for Nyendo–Mukungwe
• Prof. George Willy Lubega, former staff at the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity – MP for Bugangaizi South
• Prof. Ahebwa Wilber Manyisa, former staff at the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences – MP for Nakaseke North

Former Guild leaders in Parliament

• Hon. Anna Ebaju Adeke, former Guild President – re-elected Woman MP for Soroti District
• Hon. Denis Amere Oncakalit, former Guild President – re-elected MP for Kitgum Municipality
• Hon. Gerald Karuhanga, former Guild President – re-elected MP for Ntungamo Municipality
• Hon. Lillian Aber, former Vice Guild President – re-elected Woman MP for Kitgum District
• Hon. Phiona Nyamutoro, former Vice Guild President – elected Woman MP for Nebbi District
• Dr. Mercy Faith Lakisa, former Vice Guild President – Woman MP for Alebtong District
• Ms. Charity Kevin Lenia, former Vice Guild President (Makerere University Business School) – MP for Vurra County

Leaders elected to Local Government

• Dr. Judith Nalukwago, former Vice Guild President – LC V Woman Councillor for Makindye West
• Ms. Margaret Nattabi, former Vice Guild President – Female Youth Councillor for Mukono Municipality
• Mr. Abasi Kizito, former Guild Minister – LC V Chairman for Lwengo District
• Ms. Sonko H. Namuganga, former Guild Minister – Female Youth Councillor for Kalungu District

Leadership lessons from the Hill

The journeys of these leaders highlight Makerere University’s enduring influence in shaping Uganda’s public life.

Student leadership on the hill exposes young leaders to the practical realities of governance: debate, negotiation, accountability, and the challenge of representing diverse constituencies. For many, these experiences become their first encounter with the responsibilities of leadership.

The transition from campus politics to national or local office is therefore a natural step beyond the university gates. The outcomes of the 2026 elections show how lessons learned on the hill continue to find expression in public service across the country.