By Grace Menya
JINJA: The Joint Abasoga Nseete National Students Association (JANSA) has today (August, 27) elected its new national executive committee which will steer development and unity among Abasoga Nseete members from different Higher Institutions of Learning.
The elections were presided over by Busoga Kingdom’s First Deputy Prime Minister, Prof. Dr. Muhamadi Lubega, at the Kingdom headquarters in Jinja City.
In a hotly contested election, Mr. Emmanuel Singe from Gulu University was elected as the new JANSA chairperson replacing Mr. Julius Kalugu from Mbarara University of Science and Technology. Other members were also elected to different portfolios.
Speaking during the event, Prof. Lubega applauded Kalugu’s leadership and urged all Nseete members to emulate him and remain committed to Abasoga Nseete and the kingdom.
He pledged the kingdom’s commitment to fulfilling the requests made by Kalugu’s leadership, including representation of Abasoga Nseete in both Busoga Lukiko and the cabinet as well as a permanent office of Abasoga Nseete at the Kingdom, among others.
“All the requests have been discussed and soon Abasoga Nseete will be represented in the Busoga Lukiko and cabinet with a permanent office at the Kingdom’s August House,” Prof. Lubega said amid applause from the members
Prof. Lubega who later witnessed the swearing of the new executive encouraged the Abasoga Nseete to always embrace their culture at all times at the institutions of higher learning.
Prof. Lubega who was accompanied by the State Minister for Agriculture, Owek. Matia Wakalali, facilitated the event with Shs1 million. He also delivered regards from the Kyabazinga William Gabula Nadiope IV who he said was proud of Abasoga Nseete all over the world.
In his speech, the outgoing national chairperson Kalugu commended everyone who contributed to making his reign a success. He urged his successors to make use of the leadership foundation put in place and not to dismantle it.
Kalugu revealed how it wasn’t easy to lead Abasoga Nseete especially during the time of coronavirus pandemic when institutions of learning were closed.
He commended Prof. Lubega for the support he has always rendered to Abasoga Nseete and allowing them to have their national activities at the Kingdom headquarters.
The incoming national chairperson Singe in his acceptance speech commended Kalugu’s leadership and pledged to continue with the legacy left behind.
“My leadership will run on three key points; enhancement of the relationship between Abasoga Nseete and Busoga Kingdom, mobilization for different Abasoga Nseete activities and continued unity among Abasoga Nseete members,” Singe said.
He lauded members who travelled from the different regions and convened at Busoga Kingdom Headquarters and voted for him.
Abasoga Nseete was founded by a group of Basoga students at Makerere University in 1989 led by Richard Kapiriri Mugoro and the Late W.W Kiwagama. With the motto “Nseete! Twisa Kilala”, the group has now grown and spread to all universities and other institutions of higher learning across the country.
