Mbarara, Uganda – The National Unity Platform (NUP) has scored another key victory in student politics as Lucky Ariho is declared the 37th guild president of Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST).
Ariho, a fourth-year Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery student, emerged triumphant in a hotly contested race held on Friday. He secured 2,150 votes, beating his closest rival, Henry Ssebyatika of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), who garnered 1,451 votes.
The outcome signals a continued shift in student leadership across Ugandan universities, where opposition-aligned candidates have gained growing support from youth constituencies.
NUP president Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, took to social media to congratulate Ariho. But his message was more than celebratory—it was also a stern warning.
“Now that you have won, please be on your guard against the many traps that will be laid for you to betray the people’s struggle for freedom,” Kyagulanyi posted on X.
He praised Ariho for representing the NUP “with courage and pride” and thanked the party’s Western Uganda team, led by Deputy President Jolly Jacklyn Tukamushaba, along with the NUP Institutions team, for their efforts in securing the win.
A Future Doctor and Leader
Ariho’s background in medicine and his political alignment with the opposition offer a dynamic blend of leadership and activism.
His opponent, Ssebyatika, is a second-year Bachelor of Science with Education student, who also ran a strong campaign under the NRM banner.
The student vote at MUST has historically been a bellwether for larger political shifts in the region. Ariho’s victory could signal a growing appetite for reform and alternative leadership among university youth in southwestern Uganda.
Challenges Ahead
As Ariho steps into the guild office, he replaces Daisy Arinda Kankiriho, the outgoing 36th guild president.
With student leaders often finding themselves at the intersection of campus administration and national politics, Ariho’s every move will likely be scrutinized—not just by students, but also by national observers.
NUP has faced increasing pressure and surveillance from state actors, particularly on campuses. In his message, Bobi Wine urged Ariho to remain alert, echoing the caution many young politicians have learned the hard way.
“I charge you to remain vigilant at all times!” Kyagulanyi emphasized.
This win not only cements NUP’s expanding influence in academic institutions but also raises expectations for Ariho to uphold the values of transparency, student advocacy, and progressive leadership.
Whether his tenure brings real change or meets institutional roadblocks, one thing is certain—Lucky Ariho’s name is now firmly etched in the political diary of MUST and the youth movement in Uganda.
