Churchill Ssentamu James, the 91st Guild President of Makerere University, has defiantly rejected calls from the public and his own family to resign from his position after a meeting with President Yoweri Museveni.
The meeting, which has sparked public controversy, was during the launch of the university’s Research and Innovation Week, an event that Ssentamu attended in his capacity as guild president.
At a press briefing held at Makerere University on April 11, 2025, Ssentamu made it clear that he would not apologize for his actions, despite criticism from various quarters, including his father, Fred Ssentamu Nyanzi, the head of Mobilization for the National Unity Platform (NUP).
Nyanzi had previously asked his son to resign, accusing him of betraying the values of their family by associating with the president.
Ssentamu, who is also the son of Nyanzi, a prominent member of the opposition, defended the photo, stating that it was taken while he was on official duty and that it was his responsibility to engage with the president as part of his role as guild president.
“These pictures were taken while I was on my official duty as guild president at the launch of the research and innovation week. It is in my line of duty to account, follow up, and question President Museveni’s day-to-day business, not only as a student but as a guild president,” Ssentamu said.
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He however cautioned the public to stop maliciously using the image to condemn his family, saying it had long been at the forefront of the fight against oppression in Uganda.
“My family has stood firm against oppression in this country, and I honor their courage. These photos should not be interpreted as betrayal,” Ssentamu stated.
His comments came in response to his father’s public condemnation of his actions. Fred Nyanzi, a staunch critic of President Museveni, had urged his son to step down, arguing that engaging with the president undermined the family’s long-standing opposition to the government.
Nyanzi recounted a history of personal and political conflicts with Museveni, including being arrested by the government on multiple occasions and claims that the regime had even threatened the lives of family members, including his own brother, opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi.
“A few months ago, General Museveni had me arrested, and on many occasions, he has wanted to kill your uncle, Kyagulanyi,” Nyanzi remarked in a public statement.
Nyanzi’s call for Ssentamu to resign has divided public opinion. Some critics argue that the young leader’s participation in a public event with President Museveni contradicts the principles of his father’s political activism, particularly given the NUP’s opposition stance.
For them, it raises questions about the sincerity of the Ssentamu family’s fight against the regime if they are willing to engage with the president in such settings.
Others, however, have rallied behind Churchill Ssentamu, asserting that as guild president, he had a professional duty to attend the event and engage with all stakeholders, including the president.
After all these speculations, the young president remains resolute in his position, promising to continue serving the students of Makerere with integrity.
“I will not be swayed by public opinion, and I will continue to serve Makerere University with the utmost dedication,” Ssentamu stated.
As Makerere students and the broader public continue to weigh in on the controversy, it remains to be seen whether Ssentamu’s stance will alienate him from key political figures within the opposition or if his unwavering commitment to his duties will earn him respect among the wider student body.
