{"id":3887,"date":"2025-03-14T12:16:27","date_gmt":"2025-03-14T09:16:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/iuea.ac.ug\/Blog\/?p=3887"},"modified":"2025-03-14T12:27:10","modified_gmt":"2025-03-14T09:27:10","slug":"iuea-guild-presidential-debate-a-masterclass","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/iuea.ac.ug\/blog\/iuea-guild-presidential-debate-a-masterclass\/","title":{"rendered":"IUEA Guild Presidential Debate: A Masterclass in Leadership"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>The race for Students\u2019 Guild President of the International University of East Africa (IUEA) reached a thrilling peak at the Guild Presidential Debate on March 12, 2025. Organised by the IUEA Electoral Commission, a student-led body overseeing the election process, this event was more than just a debate\u2014it was a lesson in leadership, strategy, and governance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With an expert panel and an enthusiastic lineup of aspirants, the Guild Presidential debate tested each candidate\u2019s vision, resilience, and ability to inspire. More than just a showcase of promises, this was an opportunity for students to assess their future leaders\u2014their policies, their preparedness, and their ability to handle pressure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For aspiring student leaders, professionals, or anyone interested in leadership, this debate provided valuable lessons on how to build a compelling campaign, engage an audience, and defend one\u2019s vision under scrutiny.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Meet the Candidates<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p>Four candidates, each with a unique leadership philosophy, vied for the presidency alongside their running mates for Vice President:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Solomon Ibrahim Musa<\/strong> \u2013 Vice President: <strong>Ilhan Mohammed<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Binamungu Oswald<\/strong> \u2013 Vice President: <strong>Oketcho Grace<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Ssekidde Husama<\/strong> \u2013 Vice President: <strong>Diana George Benjamin<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Daniel Mayen<\/strong> \u2013 Vice President: <strong>Osama Barkhad<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Each candidate presented a manifesto designed to tackle student concerns and elevate IUEA\u2019s student leadership development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/iuea.ac.ug\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Untitled-design-94-1-1024x576.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3904\" srcset=\"https:\/\/iuea.ac.ug\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Untitled-design-94-1-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/iuea.ac.ug\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Untitled-design-94-1-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/iuea.ac.ug\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Untitled-design-94-1-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/iuea.ac.ug\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Untitled-design-94-1-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\/\/iuea.ac.ug\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Untitled-design-94-1.png 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">2025 Guild Presidential candidates Solomon Ibrahim Musa and Daniel Mayen, along with vice-presidential candidates Osama Barkhad and Diana George Benjamin, listen intently as their opponents deliver sharp rebuttals during the debate.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Were Their Visions?<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.parliament.uk\/site-information\/glossary\/manifesto\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The UK Parliament defines a manifesto<\/a> as a breakdown of what a party or candidate aims to achieve while in office. It is the backbone of any campaign, defining a leader\u2019s values, priorities, and commitments. Each candidate had limited time to make their case, ensuring their message was clear, compelling, and actionable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Solomon Ibrahim Musa: A Leader with Experience<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>With an established track record in the guild, Solomon positioned himself as the candidate who understands student challenges better than anyone. His pitch? Experience matters. He has already solved student issues, knows the system, and is ready to take his leadership to the next level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Ssekidde Husama: Leadership That Feels Like Home<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Husama\u2019s vision was simple but powerful: IUEA should feel like home. He framed leadership as family-oriented governance, built on Action, Accountability, and Transformation. His promise? A leadership style that nurtures a sense of belonging and unity among students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" data-src=\"https:\/\/iuea.ac.ug\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Untitled-design-93-1-1024x576.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3905 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/iuea.ac.ug\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Untitled-design-93-1-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/iuea.ac.ug\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Untitled-design-93-1-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/iuea.ac.ug\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Untitled-design-93-1-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/iuea.ac.ug\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Untitled-design-93-1-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\/\/iuea.ac.ug\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Untitled-design-93-1.png 1920w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/576;\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Madam Natasha Sonnet, Dean of Students at IUEA, shares a light moment as candidates exchange banter before the debate begins.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Daniel Mayen: A Student-Centric Approach to Leadership<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Daniel built his manifesto around the acronym <strong>MASS<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Mentorship<\/strong> \u2013 Supporting students academically and professionally<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Advocacy<\/strong> \u2013 Representing student concerns effectively<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Service Delivery<\/strong> \u2013 Ensuring timely responses to student needs<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Security<\/strong> \u2013 Prioritising student safety and well-being<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>His approach emphasised student empowerment, aligning with IUEA\u2019s motto: Learning to Succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Binamungu Oswald: Championing Unity and Transparency<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201cWe are all ordinary people who must achieve extraordinary things.\u201d<br>&#8211; Said Oswald, taking an inspirational approach, beginning with a memorable statement.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>His manifesto revolved around three key pillars:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Inclusivity<\/strong> \u2013 Ensuring every student\u2019s voice is heard<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Transparency<\/strong> \u2013 Clear communication and honest leadership<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Accountability<\/strong> \u2013 A commitment to responsible governance<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2025 Guild Presidential Debate: Who was on the Panel?<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Hon Grace Ninsiima.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Mr Wasike David<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Professor Mugisha David.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Madam Emily<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" data-src=\"https:\/\/iuea.ac.ug\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Untitled-design-92-1-1-1024x576.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3906 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/iuea.ac.ug\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Untitled-design-92-1-1-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/iuea.ac.ug\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Untitled-design-92-1-1-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/iuea.ac.ug\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Untitled-design-92-1-1-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/iuea.ac.ug\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Untitled-design-92-1-1-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\/\/iuea.ac.ug\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Untitled-design-92-1-1.png 1920w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/576;\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Mr. Wasike David, a distinguished IUEA lecturer and debate panelist, stands in respect during the national anthem.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How the Panel Challenged the Candidates<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p>A strong leader is one who can think on their feet, defend their vision, and adapt under pressure. This year\u2019s panel tested each candidate\u2019s ability to do just that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Memorable Q&amp;A Moments<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Q: How does your manifesto align with IUEA\u2019s motto?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Daniel Mayen<\/strong> linked his MASS model to IUEA\u2019s \u201cLearning to Succeed\u201d philosophy, emphasising mentorship as a key driver of student success.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Q: What makes you the ideal Guild President?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>&#8220;We fight for the success of one another, not the downfall of the other&#8221;<br>&#8211; Said <strong>Daniel<\/strong>, positioning himself as a leader who empowers rather than dictates<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Q: How will you use teamwork to uplift IUEA?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Solomon Ibrahim Musa<\/strong> highlighted his experience within the guild, acknowledging the value of collaboration, stating, \u201cI can do nothing without her,\u201d referring to his running mate.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Q: How will you promote unity?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Ssekidde Husama<\/strong> pledged to foster unity through culture, sports, and academics, proposing more events like <a href=\"https:\/\/iuea.ac.ug\/blog\/the-iuea-2025-cultural-gala-learn-and-live\/\">the Cultural Gala<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Q: Will you take a top-down or bottom-up leadership approach?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Binamungu Oswald<\/strong> committed to a bottom-up leadership model, promising to hold meetings with student leaders and coordinators within his first two weeks.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Q: How will you support women on campus?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Oketcho Grace<\/strong> (VP Candidate) introduced an initiative called \u201cWomen in Cell\u201d, a peer support group for female students, emphasising inclusivity and empowerment.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" data-src=\"https:\/\/iuea.ac.ug\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Untitled-design-92-1-1024x576.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3892 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/iuea.ac.ug\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Untitled-design-92-1-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/iuea.ac.ug\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Untitled-design-92-1-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/iuea.ac.ug\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Untitled-design-92-1-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/iuea.ac.ug\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Untitled-design-92-1-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\/\/iuea.ac.ug\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Untitled-design-92-1.png 1920w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/576;\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Guild Vice President candidate, Madam Oketcho Grace, sets the tone for the debate by leading attendees in singing the national anthem.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Most Heated Exchange: Candidate vs. Candidate<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p>The most intense segment of the Guild Presidential debate came when candidates were allowed to question each other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Solomon Ibrahim Musa<\/strong> was challenged on how he would deliver new solutions, given his prior leadership experience. Was his campaign about progress or continuity?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Daniel Mayen\u2019s <\/strong>commitment to unity was questioned after claims surfaced that he had struggled to resolve issues affecting South Sudanese students.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The heated back-and-forth showcased the candidates\u2019 preparedness, confidence, and resilience\u2014critical traits for any future leader.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Lessons in Leadership: What Can You Learn?<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p>Whether you&#8217;re a student aspiring to run for office or a professional interested in leadership development, this Guild Presidential debate offered key takeaways:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Make your vision memorable:<\/strong> A simple acronym (MASS) or a powerful quote can make a manifesto stand out.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Experience can be a double-edged sword:<\/strong> It can build trust but also raise questions about what\u2019s new.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Inclusivity matters:<\/strong> Initiatives like \u201cWomen in Cell\u201d highlight the importance of specific, actionable policies.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Master the power of words:<\/strong> A strong opening statement or closing remark can leave a lasting impression.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Know your audience:<\/strong> Just as Husama\u2019s \u201cfamily leadership\u201d approach resonated with IUEA students, a leader must align their message with their audience\u2019s values.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why This Debate Was a Success for IUEA<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p>Beyond the excitement and heated exchanges, this debate served as a testament to IUEA\u2019s commitment to grooming future leaders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At IUEA, we equip students with practical leadership skills, preparing them to make a real impact in their communities and beyond. The Students\u2019 Guild isn\u2019t just a governing body; it\u2019s a training ground for future leaders, policymakers, and changemakers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With the election results pending, one thing is clear: Each candidate walked away a stronger leader, and every student in attendance gained invaluable insights into leadership, governance, and strategy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"IUEA Presidential Debate - #IUEAGuild\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Q1pafLJWbo8?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" data-load-mode=\"1\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The race for Students\u2019 Guild President of the International University of East Africa (IUEA) reached a thrilling peak at the Guild Presidential Debate on March 12, 2025. Organised by the IUEA Electoral Commission, a student-led body overseeing the election process, this event was more than just a debate\u2014it was a lesson in leadership, strategy, and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3896,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"content-type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[76,48,109,88],"tags":[70,269,98,161,33],"class_list":["post-3887","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-event","category-campus-life","category-news","category-student","tag-campus-events","tag-guild-presidential-debate","tag-iuea-guild","tag-students-guild","tag-students"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/iuea.ac.ug\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3887","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/iuea.ac.ug\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/iuea.ac.ug\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iuea.ac.ug\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iuea.ac.ug\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3887"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/iuea.ac.ug\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3887\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3908,"href":"https:\/\/iuea.ac.ug\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3887\/revisions\/3908"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iuea.ac.ug\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3896"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/iuea.ac.ug\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3887"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iuea.ac.ug\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3887"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iuea.ac.ug\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3887"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}