Uganda Pentecostal University has banned Octovious Asiimwe, the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) candidate from contesting the guild presidency. The university administration accuses Asiimwe of tarnishing the image of the university during the campaigns. Asiimwe’s troubles with the university started last month after the university nullified his victory under unclear circumstances.
Asiimwe polled 319 votes, the independent candidate Moses Balinda got 229 votes while the NRM party candidate Richard Rubaihayo scored 130 votes. Asiimwe was summoned on Tuesday to appear before the university’s disciplinary committee to explain why he accused the University administration of Incompetence during the campaigns. During the campaigns Asiimwe allegedly faulted the university administration of failing to establish a health facility, procure a bus for students and equip both the university library and laboratory.
The eight member committee resolved to suspend Asiimwe for two weeks and also ban him from contesting in the by-elections next month because his utterances were a sign of disrespect to the university. Asiimwe was also told to apologize publicly to the university on all the four radio stations in Fort Portal and the print media, where he uttered the statements.
However Asiimwe is defiant saying that he will not apologize because what he said is true. He also said that during the campaigns the NRM and independent candidates also uttered the same statements, but he is surprised that it’s only him who has been punished. He also says that he has sued the university administration for illegally nullifying his victory and stopping him from contesting in the next guild elections.
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In a telephone interview, a member of the disciplinary committee, who preferred to remain anonymous because he is not authorized to speak to the press, said that the committee will only lift the suspension after Asiimwe has apologized. He said that if he doesn’t apologize, he faces expulsion.
He also says that he has sued the university administration for illegally nullifying his victory and stopping him from contesting in the next guild elections.
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In a telephone interview, Frank Kajwara, a member of the disciplinary committee, who preferred to remain anonymous because he is not authorized to speak to the press, said that the committee will only lift the suspension after Asiimwe has apologized. He said that if he doesn’t apologize, he faces expulsion.
