Kampala, Uganda – Makerere University Guild President, James Churchill Ssentamu, has firmly rejected calls to resign following backlash over his meeting with President Yoweri Museveni. Addressing a press conference on Friday morning, Churchill dismissed the demands as “lies propagated by opportunists” and clarified that his role requires engaging all stakeholders, irrespective of political affiliations.
Churchill, son of opposition NUP’s national mobilizer Fred Nyanzi Ssentamu, faced criticism after photos circulated showing him seated with President Museveni during the launch of Makerere Research and Innovation Week on April 8, 2025. Critics accused him of betraying the opposition cause, given his family’s prominent political ties.
“My father is not my advisor,” Churchill stated firmly. “He has an independent role as the NUP national mobilizer, but it ends there. As guild president, I act independently, guided by the duty to represent over 45,000 students.”
Churchill emphasized that engaging with President Museveni was part of his official responsibilities as the 91st guild president.
“Makerere is a public institution, and the president is its top visitor. Meeting him in an official capacity is unavoidable and necessary,” he said.
He urged Ugandans to promote tolerance and cautioned against misinterpreting public service engagements as political betrayal. “Relenting from my duties makes me a populist, not an executor,” he noted, reinforcing his commitment to serving the student body with integrity.