Rukungiri UNSA Elects New Leaders for 2025–2026 Academic Year

Rukungiri: The Rukungiri branch of the Uganda National Students’ Association (UNSA) has elected a new cabinet for the 2025–2026 academic year. 

The elections were held on September 28, at Immaculate Heart Girls Nyakibale and were led by the UNSA Kigezi regional coordinator, Johnbosco Namara, together with the Rukungiri district coordinator, Raymond Rukundo.

During the exercise, students were urged to embrace self-confidence, present exemplary behavior, and act as role models in preparation for future leadership. They were also encouraged to develop leadership skills, creativity, and innovation that would not only improve education but also contribute to building strong leadership beyond school.

In the elections, Gideon Akanyihayo from Kyamakanda Secondary School was voted chairperson with 69 votes, while  Paskaline Atuhaire from St. Francis Buhunga became the vice chairperson with 68 votes. The speaker post went to Mary Arekaho from Immaculate Heart Girls School who secured 85 votes, while Blessious Twijukye from Kashenyi Secondary School became deputy speaker with 54 votes. 

The post of general secretary was won by Joshua Ayebazibwe from St. Gerald’s Secondary School with 67 votes, and Tricia Atuhaire from Kinyasano Girls High School took the assistant general secretary position with 61 votes.

Trust Niwagaba from Nyakishenyi was elected secretary for disabilities, while Benefit Taremwa from St. Peter’s Vocational Kihumuro won the secretary for inter-school affairs post with 53 votes. The secretary for women affairs position went to Josephine Nayebare from St. Peter’s Secondary School Nyarushanje with 73 votes, and Agaba Timothy from St. Mark Nyakibale Secondary School was elected secretary for publicity and information with 78 votes.

Speaking during the function, senior journalist Patson Baraire Mushaija, who was among the invited guests, encouraged students to take leadership seriously and to serve as role models. He urged them to build confidence, creativity, and innovation so that their leadership journeys do not end at school but continue into the future.

The Rukungiri UNSA coordinator, Raymond Rukundo explained that the event was not only about elections but also aimed at sensitizing students about leadership skills, unity, and ethical behavior. He stressed that students must live exemplary lives in school as this adds value to the future of generational leadership.

The UNSA Kigezi sub-regional coordinator and also the Rubanda district UNSA head, Johnbosco Namara congratulated the winners and expressed satisfaction with the fairness of the elections. He said the process was well-balanced since every school was represented and allowed to contest for posts of their choice. Namara further emphasized that such leadership practices should also be encouraged at the school level to build educational ethics and prepare students for future leadership roles.