Students from 33 secondary schools in Rukungiri District have elected a 10-member executive committee to lead the Uganda National Students Association (UNSA) for the 2026–2027 term. The elections were held on October 9 at Immaculate Heart Girls School in Nyakibale, Rukungiri Municipality, during the district’s 36th Annual Students’ Council and Elections.
Joel Matsiko Agaba of Kashenyi Secondary School was elected chairperson, while Kyokunda Jallingson of St. Mark Nyakibale Secondary School became vice chairperson. Dorothy Lidia Ayebazibwe of St. Jerome Secondary School was elected speaker, with Ainamani Timothy of Kyamakanda Secondary School taking the position of deputy speaker.
Bruce Abaho of Bugangari Secondary School was elected secretary for finance, while Kembabazi Patience of St. Raphael Secondary School became assistant secretary. Felix Twinamatsiko of Rukungiri High School was elected secretary for inter-school affairs, while Kengonzi Caroline of Rukungiri Central Secondary School became general secretary.
Queen Elisabeth Atuhaire of Kagunga Secondary School was elected secretary for national affairs, while Akankunda Gift of St. Paul Vocational Secondary School in Bugangari took the position of secretary for women’s affairs. The chief guest, Lt. Col. Nicholas Rweitiri Kakururu, the political commissar and public information officer of the 2nd Infantry Division, urged the newly elected leaders to embrace discipline and patriotism.
Kakururu said students’ future leadership and success depend on what they learn and practise in classrooms today. He encouraged the leaders to develop a clear vision and mission, respect one another, maintain discipline and work together to achieve their goals.
JohnBosco Namara, the UNSA coordinator for the Kigezi Sub-region and a teacher at Kabale Brainstorm High School in Kabale District, said the association prepares students for future leadership by training them in leadership and governance. Namara said several former participants had gone on to hold influential positions in politics. He cited Finance Minister Henry Musasizi, Rubanda West MP Bruce Baraba and Ndorwa West MP Eliab Mporera as examples.
He added that UNSA also implements projects aimed at supporting schools and communities, including piggery, tree planting, the distribution of sanitary pads and the provision of mathematical sets to schools. Raymond Rukundo, the UNSA coordinator for Rukungiri District, said the newly elected leaders would next participate in national-level elections scheduled for December 2026.
Hannah Kalema Tumukunde, the former Miss Uganda for 2023–2024 and a former Makerere University guild presidency aspirant who is also seeking the UNSA presidency, urged the student leaders to set clear goals, remain focused and work hard to achieve their ambitions. She emphasised that success requires discipline, commitment and determination-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
