By Mulengera Reporters
The alumni of Uganda Management Institute (UMI), through their Alumni Association, convened at the institute’s Kampala main campus on Friday to elect new leaders, bringing to an end the tenure of the outgoing executive committee that had been voted into office on April 29, 2022.
The elections, conducted in a peaceful and orderly manner, were overseen by Mr. Jacob Siminyu, an immigration officer based in Jinja, who was appointed as the returning officer. His appointment was in accordance with the association’s constitution, which requires the returning officer to be selected from among eligible members of the alumni body. Siminyu also presided over the previous elections in 2022.
The presidential race drew two candidates: the incumbent president, Dr. Adrian Beinebyabo, and Mr. Godfrey Niwagaba, and Beinebyabo was re-elected with 44 votes, while Niwagaba garnered 28 votes.
Niwagaba, a former UMI Guild President (2019–2022), presented a campaign pitch that focused on revitalizing member participation and restoring regular alumni engagement, pointing to the visibly low turnout at the meeting, noting a sharp contrast from past gatherings.
He criticized the outgoing leadership for failing to hold the constitutionally required Annual General Meetings (AGMs), stating that the association had gone three years without one. He argued that a committed leadership ought to prioritize mobilization and resource generation rather than citing financial constraints.
He further recalled efforts made during his time as guild president, including mobilizing resources during the COVID-19 pandemic to support the national task force, even without administrative funding. Niwagaba insisted that with the caliber of members in the UMI alumni network, the association was capable of supporting both its internal programs and community outreach initiatives.
He expressed disappointment that the executive failed to build on past momentum, especially in charitable projects such as providing sanitary pads to adolescent girls in vulnerable communities, which he managed to do as a guild leader.
In response, Dr. Beinebyabo defended his record (speak8ng to the media after elections) and acknowledged the concerns raised. He attributed the failure to convene AGMs and other planned activities to various logistical and structural challenges that the association faced during his first term, and clarified that those same challenges had led to the postponement of the elections, originally slated for April 2025, to August 1.
Nonetheless, he assured members that such gaps would be addressed in the new term, promising a more responsive and development-oriented administration.
Beinebyabo outlined a comprehensive agenda for his final term, anchored in institutional growth, member engagement, and resource mobilization. He announced that plans were already in place for a homecoming dinner to welcome all alumni and reignite participation, adding that funds for the event had already been budgeted for.
He also committed to establishing a UMI Alumni SACCO, for which the name has already been reserved, to provide members with access to credit facilities and promote a culture of saving. In addition, he unveiled plans to secure funding for the construction of a leisure center and an income-generating hostel in Mbale, with the long-term goal of expanding similar projects to Mbarara and Gulu.
The association will also push forward with constitutional amendments and member profiling to identify and engage alumni who can contribute to the execution of the association’s strategic development agenda over the next 15 years.
Other leadership positions were filled with several candidates going through unopposed. Ms. Elizabeth Esther Wanyana, who previously contested and lost in the last election, was elected vice president unopposed. Ms. Awor Cindarela was declared general secretary without contest, and Mr. Bwiire Okum Fred was similarly elected unopposed as assistant secretary. Ms. Nakato Farida was declared unopposed as the executive member representing Kampala.
The positions of treasurer and Executive member representing Kampala-extra were the only other contested races. Mr. Tonny Kasiita, who served in the previous executive as assistant treasurer, defeated Ms. Kabuya Annet Scovia with 39 votes against 32. Meanwhile, whole Mr. Philip Byaruhanga defeated Mr. Ronald Tumuhaire with 51 votes against 17. Mr. Shafat Mwesigwa was elected unopposed as the new assistant treasurer.
Following the declaration of results, the Director of Finance at UMI applauded the alumni and technical teams for the smooth conduct of the electoral process, noting that the institute, in consultation with the new executive, will organize an official handover and swearing-in ceremony within the coming week.
The incoming executive now faces the task of re-energizing the alumni association, fulfilling delayed promises, and implementing the ambitious development programs outlined during the campaigns.
As Dr. Beinebyabo begins his second and final term, expectations are high that the leadership will bridge the gaps of the past term and reposition the alumni association as a vibrant and impactful arm of Uganda Management Institute. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
