Bazil Mwotta is a second-year student at the school of education, Makerere University. He has been the guild representative council to the school of education in the 81^st guild cabinet,and the deputy for the Uganda Youth Democrats.

Mwotta, you have represented students in the 81^st guild cabinet and led the UYD(s): why did you still feel like it’s not enough; “I need the top leadership seat”?

While as a guild representative councilor for nine months, I stood for students but then I realized, the issues I raised either never reached the university council or if they did, they were never considered. So, I got tired of fighting from the back and deliberating issues to the August house; and now, I want to fight at the front and face the university council.

What is that challenge that Makerere University has that you have to first address if elected as guild president?

I will have to first work on internet. I have come to believe that in the 21^st century, internet is not a luxury anymore, but a necessity. I will also work on the unfair tuition policies that are imposed on to the students.

How will you do that?

I understand that the university gets grants and donations from both the government and international organizations. So, this money can be effectively used instead of barrring students from doing exams; and maybe they can pay before they get their transcripts.

The university has been getting grants and support from the government, but has still failed effectively do what you are talking about: how will you ensure it works?

There is one thing for sure; fifty thousand shillings is deducted from each of our accounts every other academic year in the name of technology. I believe if 50% of us pay the money, it is enough to incorporate the whole of Makerere.

Makerere seems to have other burning challenges like delayed results, missing marks among others: how are you going to address that?

I think to address some challenges, one needs to know where they come from, for missing marks, the teacher student gap and teacher student ratio are wide, a school like social sciences has a teacher student ratio of like 1;120. Therefore students don’t get enough attention from lecturers while lectures have a lot to work on.

The university needs to employ more lecturers to address issues of that nature.

The 81^st guild seems to have had many cases of incompetence. What was wrong in their?

The problem was the setting of the university which does not give student leaders enough power, a school needs to send more representatives than just two, there is also a great need for committees so that the GRC’S can efficiently impact their representation which am also going to ensure.

Strikes seem to be part of the university’s culture: do you believe they are the best solutions to the Makerere University challenges that affect the students?

Yes I believe in strikes and have participated before. The administration sometimes fails to listen to dialogue and so, it needs an extra push.

Most of the times, when students strike, they destroy most ot the things at the university; including those people who are not part of the univeristy administration: how are you going to ensure that this does not take place?

It goes back to leadership and how much the leaders are influential to their students.

Why and who is harassing you and your supporters on the Makerere guild facebook page?

It’s true but I still do not understand who and why.  I feel this is unfair, because as university students, we have rights to use any platform like any others. My supporters are threatened now and again and the other day at Nkurumah hall, they were beaten up.

That is so bad. But all this has been blamed on your fellow contestant-Roy Ssemboga, how true is that?

I cannot dispute nor ascertain that.

Do you have any personal fights?

I cannot ascertain that either. I am for Makerere and I'm vying for the guild presidential seat, and not competing against anyone. so, I have nothing against any candidate and I'm focusing on my campaigns and addressing students' issues.

What are your last words for the readers?

Makerere University is a beautiful book, but of little use to one who cannot read it. I stand for better security, better internet services; I'm against missing marks, the unfair tuition policies. I seek for your support.