Lira, Uganda – The much-anticipated Lira University Guild Elections 2025/2026 are entering a decisive stage as the nomination process begins on Thursday, March 20, 2025.
With key election activities already underway, the competition for student leadership is heating up.
The election roadmap was officially displayed on March 7, signaling the start of the electoral process.
From March 10 to March 19, aspirants picked and returned nomination forms to the Guild Electoral Commission (EC), marking the first step toward securing a place on the ballot.
The nomination exercise will take place from March 20 to March 21, where the Electoral Commission, in collaboration with the Dean of Students, will officially verify and confirm candidates eligible to run for various leadership positions.
After successful nomination, all confirmed candidates will be required to attend a mandatory briefing on March 22 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM.
This session will outline the campaign guidelines, election regulations, and expectations for a fair contest.
The briefing also marks the official launch of campaigns, allowing candidates to actively engage with the student community and present their leadership manifestos.
Key Electoral Events Ahead
1. Voters Register Display (March 25, 2025) – The Electoral Commission will publicly display the Voters Register from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Students are encouraged to verify their details to avoid any complications on polling day.
2. Guild Presidential Debate (March 27, 2025) – Candidates for the Guild Presidency will engage in a high-stakes debate from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM, moderated by university officials. This debate is expected to give students insights into each candidate’s vision, policies, and leadership plans.
3. Open Air Campaign (March 29, 2025) – The campaign period will culminate in a final open-air rally from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM, where candidates will have the last opportunity to convince voters before polling day.
The climax of the electoral process will be on March 30, when students cast their votes from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Polling stations will be set up within the university, with Electoral Commission officials overseeing the voting process.
Once voting closes, tallying will be conducted immediately, and the official election results will be declared the same day.
The Electoral Commission, chaired by Ojok Geoffrey, has emphasized that all candidates and students must adhere to the election guidelines outlined in the Guild Constitution (Article 9).
Campaigns must be conducted peacefully, and any acts of electoral malpractice will lead to disqualification.
To participate, candidates must be fully enrolled in the 2024/2025 Academic Year.
The application fee for Guild Presidential aspirants was set at UGX 200,000, while other positions required UGX 75,000, both non-refundable.
Female students have been encouraged to actively participate in leadership roles.
The Electoral Commission urges all students to take an active role in the upcoming elections by attending campaign events, engaging in the debate, verifying their voter details, and most importantly, casting their vote on March 30.