Kampala - The Bishop Stuart University (BSU) in Mbarara in Western Uganda (BSU) has banned political party activities.
During a swearing-in of the new students guild council at the weekend, university vice chancellor, Professor Mauda Kamatenesi, warned that politics was against the values of the institution, reported the Daily Monitor on Monday.
“I stand to remind you again of the mission, vision and values of this university that include being non-partisan. You are all requested not to bring political party politics to this university as any such groups would violate what we stand for,” said Kamatenesi.
Kamatenesi explained that as a Christian university, BSU was meant to be non-partisan and embrace people of all persuasions.
The university’s apolitical stance was the reason it had been able to attract development partnerships from various groups, reasoned the professor.
Kamatenesi, however, pointed out that she belonged to a political party which she had voted for in February’s presidential elections but that her political affiliation would not be shown at BSU.
Asked whether the move did not infringe on the students’ rights, she said students were free to exercise their political beliefs outside the university campus.
Bernabas Nsengiuva, the outgoing guild president, said student leaders supported the university’s stance against political activity at campus as it prevented divisions and tensions, reported the Monitor.
“Most of the strikes in some of the high institutions of learning in the country are facilitated by parties, movements and divisions, and I think this is partly the reason our university has never had strikes since its inception,” said Nsengiuva.
He also said although party politics was good for democracy, if not handled well, it could be a recipe for violence.
However, some students said the ban infringed on their rights and that the university should revise it.
– African News Agency