Makerere University Students’ Guild has broken its silence over the programme clash that disrupted performances at Saturday’s Freshers Ball, with Guild President Kadondi Gracious suspending the Minister for Culture, Mobilization and Social Affairs, Mutebi Edward, for 29 days pending investigations.
The incident followed the circulation of a video showing Guild President Kadondi Gracious appearing to block headline performer Fik Fameica from taking to the stage, sparking questions about what triggered the confrontation.
In a statement issued by Guild Prime Minister Fahad Ndawula Kimera, the Guild attributed the incident to a programme clash involving the Guild President and the headline artist.
Kimera explained that it is an established tradition for the Guild President to officially open the Freshers Ball. However, he said her address was repeatedly postponed from the beginning of the event without a clear explanation.
According to the Prime Minister, Guild leaders repeatedly demanded that the President be given an opportunity to address the students, but their requests were frustrated by security personnel and programme managers.
The situation reportedly became more confusing when the Guild President was invited to speak at the same time the headline artist was called upon to perform.
“Upon the artist’s arrival at the venue, the Guild President was invited to speak and microphones turned off. The artist was equally invited to sing at the same time, which frustrated the speech and caused confusion,” Kimera said.
He further claimed that security personnel later raised concerns that the Guild President’s political affiliation could lead her to make political statements during the event.
Kimera said the simultaneous invitation of the President and the artist “caused misinterpretation to artist’s entourage and they inadvertently initiated a confrontation.”
He maintained that the Guild President had no intention of stopping Fik Fameica’s performance, arguing that she had instead been caught up in a programme clash.
“The Guild President did not intend to stop the performance like portrayed but was set up in a programme clash,” he said.
The Prime Minister added that the Guild Cabinet was investigating those responsible for managing the event’s programme, alleging that it may have been “intentionally designed to cause clash and chaos on stage.”
Meanwhile, Guild President Kadondi has suspended Mutebi Edward, the Minister for Culture, Mobilization and Social Affairs, for 29 days pending investigations and a final decision.
Kadondi said the suspension was effected under Article 83(1) of the Makerere University Students’ Guild Constitution, 2022, which empowers the Guild President to suspend a Cabinet member.
“The basis of this action is the expected standard of conduct required of a guild minister, which Hon. Mutebi Edward has failed to meet,” Kadondi said.
During the suspension period, Mutebi has been barred from exercising the powers, duties and responsibilities of the office of Minister for Culture, Mobilization and Social Affairs. He has also been directed to surrender all official materials relating to his ministerial position.
The Guild leadership said further communication regarding the matter would be handled by the Prime Minister as investigations continue.
The Guild also thanked students for turning up in large numbers and maintaining peace despite the disruption.
