In 2017, Julius Kateregga was an ordinary Makerere University student who balanced his time between selling shoes at St Balikuddembe market (Owino) and studying his course.
But last week, Kateregga, commonly referred to as KJ, won the guild presidential race. Speaking at The Observer offices, Kateregga said the race had been tough since two candidates had ascribed to Kyadondo MP East Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine’s popular political pressure group People Power.
He also had to tussle it out with five others, some of whom were backed by their parties while others ran as independents.
“Makerere University is a stronghold of Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and Democratic Party’s (DP) Uganda Young Democrats (UYD). Although I belonged to UYD, I had to come up with a strategy because all the candidates were good,” he said.
The second-year education student also explained that his slogan ‘Balance the Hill’ worked as a strategy alongside him playing Eddy Kenzo’s Jubilation song.
Who is Kateregga?
Kateregga is not new to Makerere politics. He recalled his days as the chief fresher at the UYD Makerere chapter. Then, he was at the forefront in the fight for what he called “injustices” by the university’s management.
“Students were always suspended for voicing their concerns. So, I remember we organised several strikes, also I was one of the members who crafted the term K’ogikwatako. I was fighting social injustices at the university and in the country,” he said.
Although short on funding, his good relationship with UYD and People Power worked for him.
“I’m indebted to UYD/DP who nurtured me through the years but I can also tell you that People Power played a big role; logistical, moral and social support,” he said.
“I don’t know if Bobi Wine knew this, but his team printed my posters, bought my overalls, berets, which are quite expensive…all came from the barracks.”
First 100 days
Kateregga says his intention now is to restore students’ trust in the guild leadership and to work with the university administration to see that suspended students are reinstated. Over the years, guild presidents at the institution have been compromised and on several occasions have been accused of siding with management especially in light of unfair policies.
“There are students on suspension, for instance Derrick Obedgui who has been out for a year; I’m going to engage management on this,” he said.
Kateregga says that Makerere administrators should respect divergent ideas because they will always be there.
“Students never engineer strikes but strikes are a result of a system breakdown, especially with matters that affect students and lecturers,’ he said.
As he plans to take over this one-year contract as the guild president, Kateregga said his political ambitions will not end at Makerere.
Background
Kateregga says he was born 24 years ago in the humble family of Andrew Sserwada Kajuka and Lovinsa Nabunya in Mityana district. His parents separated when he was around six years; so, most of the time he stayed with his maternal grandmother.
He attended St Mary’s primary school Kitale, Light High School Seguku and St. Marty’s High School, Katale Bunnamwaya.