Kampala, July 4, 2025 — In a dramatic turn of events that has sent ripples across Uganda’s student leadership landscape, Kyambogo University has officially expelled its Guild President, Benjamin Akiso, citing gross misconduct, insubordination, and participation in violent protests.
The decision, formally communicated in a dismissal letter dated July 3, 2025, follows a university council resolution passed on June 27, 2025.Akiso, who had become a symbol of defiant student leadership since his election, was at the center of a fiery demonstration on April 23, 2025, in which students protested late registration fines and demanded a review of tuition policies.
The protest, which involved mounting roadblocks and confrontations with law enforcement, drew both national attention and institutional condemnation.In a statement released by Prof. Eli Katunguka, the Vice Chancellor of Kyambogo University, the administration emphasized that no individual, regardless of status, is above university regulations. “The University Council found Mr.
Benjamin Akiso guilty of multiple offenses, including inciting violence, defying lawful authority, and disrupting the peace. Such behavior is inconsistent with the responsibilities entrusted to a student leader,” Prof. Katunguka stated.
According to the Students’ Affairs and Welfare Committee, which carried out the disciplinary review, Akiso’s actions were “a betrayal of the core values of dialogue, order, and constructive engagement that guide the student leadership charter.”
The committee also revealed that Akiso was given a fair hearing, and his expulsion was not politically motivated as some of his supporters have claimed.
“We respect student activism, but we cannot condone anarchy,” said Dr. Harriet Ayot, Chairperson of the Welfare Committee. “Mr. Akiso crossed a line when he led an unlawful protest that endangered the lives of fellow students and tarnished the university’s image.”
In response to the expulsion, Akiso described the university’s decision as “a political witch-hunt against voices of justice.” Speaking from Kampala shortly after receiving the dismissal letter, he vowed to challenge the decision in court and continue advocating for students’ rights.
”If fighting for fairness is a crime, then I am guilty as charged,” Akiso declared defiantly. “This expulsion won’t silence the demands of thousands of students Kyambogo continues to ignore.”The University Guild Office remains vacant for now, with the Dean of Students announcing that an interim arrangement will be established pending a by-election.
Akiso’s tenure was marked by increasing tensions between student leadership and administration. His strong stance on tuition reforms and penalty fees gained him popularity among students but also put him at odds with university officials.
His expulsion marks one of the most controversial disciplinary actions taken against a Guild President in Kyambogo’s recent history.
As the debate rages on about student rights and institutional control, all eyes will be on what comes next for both Akiso and the future of student leadership at Kyambogo University.
ENDS
