By Isaac Akugizibwe

KIU, Main Campus-The newly installed team of Guild Union leaders for the 2023/2024 calendar year was on Wednesday 16th August 2023, oriented on the various responsibilities that await them during their term of office.

The University administration, under the leadership of Vice Chancellor Prof. Mouhamed Mpezamihigo, along with Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Finance and Administration, Associate Prof. Janice D. Busingye (represented by Dr. Margret Kareyo), and several experts, provided the student leaders with a comprehensive set of guidelines and best practices. These guidelines are intended to guide the student community as they take on leadership roles at the main campus in Kansanga.

The induction ceremony follows KIU's tradition of preparing incoming guild team members, providing them with the necessary self-assurance, abilities, and strategies for effectively overseeing the student community.

The 2023/2024 Guild Union team is led by Guild president, Godfrey Agaba and the speaker, Enock Ssembalirwa.

KIU Vice Chancellor, Prof.Mouhamed Mpezamihigo urged the student leaders to be good listeners and endeavor to seek guidance from the University administration whenever needed.

"Those unwilling to accept advice, correction, or learning from others are unlikely to succeed in life," he added.

Prof.Mpezemihigo also implored the young leaders to use the one-year term of office to demonstrate the best of their potential.

"You only have only one year to demonstrate that you can take on bigger responsibilities," he said.

He also advised them to appreciate criticism.

"If you are the Guild president and you expect a yes yes every time from everybody, you resign." Allow everyone to express their opinion and avoid taking things personally."

"You must broker peace and make sure you are not compromised,"

He also promised to support the team until their term of office comes to an end.

"I pledge support for the remaining period of your tenure, read a lot, and use your smartphones and the library in order to excel at the end of the day."

Dr. Margret Kareyo, the Assistant Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Research Innovations Consultancy and Extensions (RICE) stood in for Prof.Janice D.Busingye, the DVC for Finance and Administration, and discussed matters to do with KIU Governance in which she emphasized the role of student leaders, personal hygiene, and effective leadership management for students.

The Head of the Department of Counseling and Applied Psychology, Dr.Faith Nakalema introduced the student leaders to crisis management where she remarked,-"You can't understand a problem or crisis when you don't know who you are."

Among other presenters was Mrs. Anita Malinga who presented "Guild Leadership as your Career Launchpad " on behalf of Mr. Kibuuka Ambrose

Mary Favour Kato the former guild president (2017-2018) used the opportunity to reflect on her time as a Guild leader upon which she examined the qualities of a good leader.

The KIU Guild Union leaders Post Election Induction is organized by the office of the Dean on behalf of the administration.