By Nathan Eyagu

KAMPALA — Emmanuel Opio, the reigning Mr Tourism Teso 2025/2026, has entered the race for Makerere University Guild President, bringing his leadership experience into a contest centred on student representation, academic challenges and welfare.

The third-year Bachelor of Social Work student says his candidature is driven by a desire to give students a stronger voice in university decision-making and improve the way their concerns are communicated and followed up by the administration.

At the heart of his campaign is “THE BRIDGE,” a proposed approach through which Opio says the Guild can strengthen the connection between students and university authorities.

Opio's agenda includes advocating for greater student participation in council decision-making, sustaining the Students' Work Scheme, and addressing academic concerns such as missing marks and limited learning space.

He also wants to put greater emphasis on students' social welfare and the welfare of class representatives, while pushing for faster administrative responses to issues raised by students.

The candidature marks a transition for Opio from his role representing Teso in the tourism space to a bid for a university-wide student leadership position at Makerere.

Opio says one of his priorities is to promote the inclusion of students in council decision-making.

He argues that students should have meaningful opportunities to participate in discussions and decisions affecting their academic, social and welfare interests.

His proposed approach places emphasis on student representation and creating effective channels through which students can raise concerns and receive feedback.

Academic affairs also feature prominently in Opio's proposed agenda.

He identifies challenges including missing marks and limited learning space as issues requiring attention. He says student leadership should work with relevant university offices to ensure such concerns are communicated, followed up and addressed in a timely manner.

For Opio, the Guild should play an active role in ensuring that students' academic concerns do not go unheard.

Opio has also highlighted the Students' Work Scheme as an area he intends to advocate for.

He says the sustainability of the scheme is important to students who benefit from opportunities to work while pursuing their studies.

His proposed agenda seeks to keep student opportunities and welfare at the centre of Guild advocacy.

Beyond academics, Opio says his leadership agenda will address students' social life and general welfare.

He has also highlighted the welfare of class representatives, who serve as an important link between students and their academic communities.

According to Opio, strengthening student leadership requires attention not only to the concerns of the wider student body but also to those who represent students at class level.

Building “The Bridge”

The phrase “THE BRIDGE” is central to Opio's campaign.

He says the Guild should help create a more effective link between students and university administration, particularly by improving communication and speeding up responses to concerns raised by students.

“There are a lot of reasons for my candidature, but above all, to list a few, I want the inclusion of students in council decision-making, sustainability of the Students' Work Scheme, solving academic problems like missing marks and limited learning space, and addressing students' welfare,” Opio says.

He adds that improving the speed and effectiveness of communication between students and administration would be an important part of his proposed leadership.

From tourism to student leadership

Opio's candidature comes as he moves from his role as Mr Tourism Teso 2025/2026 into the Makerere Guild presidential contest.

His experience representing the Teso region now forms part of a wider leadership journey as he seeks to represent students from across Makerere University.

As the Guild race develops, Opio's campaign is presenting student representation, academic responsiveness, welfare and communication as its major themes.

Under the banner of “THE BRIDGE,” he is seeking to build a campaign centred on connecting students with university leadership and ensuring their concerns receive attention.