Gulu University Gets First Female Guild President

By Katura Wokorach-Oboi

In what might seem like an appearance of a Blue Moon, Gulu University has for the very first time got a female student leader in its more than a decade long existence.

Nancy Atimango, a second-year student of Bachelors of Business Administration made history  last week when she was elected the fourth Resident Guild Commissioner at Gulu University Kitgum Campus.

“It means a lot, it means a lot. First and foremost, in the history of Gulu University they have never had a lady as a Guild President,” Atimango said when asked what her election meant for her and for women emancipation.

Atimango, whose  campaign slogan was: ”A different kind of leadership”– was quick to assure any doubting Thomas’s that ladies too can deliver.

“I am not just proud to be the first lady to be the guild president but I feel I have ideas as a lady. I am just like a resource that should be exploited by the university. I want to work as a lady with the entire students’ fraternity, administration and lecturers to make sure that Gulu University goes to another level,” she said.

She garnered 110 votes(62%) against 68 votes of her male challenger, Alexis Ocaya, a second year student of Bachelors of Education.

Patrick Oryem, the returning officer, said a total of 257 students were registered to participate in the polls but only 178 turned out to cast their ballots.

The election itself, which came just after a week of campaigns, was described by the university’s electoral commission chairman, Roosevelt Charles Odong as “free and fair”.

However, the election of the first female student boss at Gulu University did not come cheap for Atimango. She acknowledges this was the most competitive students’ guild elections in the five years history of Gulu University Kitgum Campus.

This was also the first time non-students got involved in the elections of student leadership at the Kitgum Campus, sparking off a debate  on local radios whether politicians in Kitgum should get engaged in student politics.

Atimango was said to have received support and backing from former Chua East parliamentary candidate, Phoebe Aber Luwum and former NRM flag-bearer for LC5 seat in Kitgum in 2016. A convoy of vehicles said to be from these leaders ferried Atimango and her  supporters from Kitgum town to the Campus on nomination day as well as on the day of the Open-Air Debate.

On the other hand, her rival, Alexis Ocaya admitted during the open-air debate that he too got support from State Minister for International Co-operation Oryem Henry Okello, who is also the Chua Member of Parliament and Chua East MP-Elect. Ocaya added that he also got assistance from out-going LC5 chairman Luka Nyeko and LC5-Elect, Jackson Omona.

Atimango is the fourth students’ guild leader at the Kitgum Campus of Gulu University after Michael Banya, Stephen Komakech and the just out-gone Arop Denis.