Zombo, (UG): At least 60 delegates of the Uganda National Students Association (UNSA) from the about 10 post-primary schools in Zombo district yesterday (Saturday) converged at Paidha Cultural Centre Hall in Paidha Town Council for the last council meeting of the District Executive Committee members 2022/2023 and Elections of new members.
The District Executive Committee Council meeting which was convened to discuss constitutional reviews to be considered in the much-called-for amendments in the constitution of the association that will take shape during the National Executive Committee Council meeting at the end of the year didn’t see the light of the day, because of technicality hence the need to consult with legal experts.
DailyExpress was briefed on statements in some clauses and articles proposed by the Zombo district UNSA Executive to be amended during the forthcoming National Executive Committee council meeting.
Some of the proposed changes in the constitution include; an increment of annual subscription fees per student from 2000/= to 5,000/=, and the National Executive Committee to remit 60 per cent of collected subscription fees instead of the current 40 per cent.
The leaders also want the requirement of qualifications of a university student for aspirants of Presidency and Speakership at the National Executive Committee to be scrapped to suit District Executive Committee members who are mostly from Secondary Schools and Technical institutions.
Abreast of the proposed reviews, Mr Fred Jarieko, the outgoing UNSA District Speaker commiserated with the district coordinators of UNSA saying, “…district coordinators in hard-to-reach areas are facing challenges in coordinating and mobilizing resources from across the districts, if this can be discussed at higher levels all coordinators should be given allowances and motorcycles to aid transportation.”
Owing to the proposed reviews, the incumbent and outgoing UNSA District Executive Committee members are optimistic about the amendment of the proposed reviews impacting positively on service delivery, and the welfare of students, patrons and district coordinators.
Nicholas Kisa, the outgoing UNSA President in Zombo noted that the administration of UNSA at the district and school levels will be very vivid, citing verbatim, “If all coordinators are given allowances at least quarterly.”
“…it will motivate them and will make administration lucrative to the extent every school will be reached,” Kisa remarked.
UNSA which is mandated to holistically check on the progress, performance and welfare of all students, hardly executes its mandate due to inadequate finances and usurped powers by Headteachers and other administrators, hence its invisibility in some schools and districts.
Albert Mugisha, the newly elected president of the Zombo UNSA District Executive Committee announced plans to boost the wanting academic excellence of students in the West Nile district.
“..they always lead from behind I intend to bring that good academic performance in Zombo district and as well the girl child education to be promoted in most cases you get only male leading,” Mugisha noted.
Amidst challenges of inadequate allocation of finances, non-compliance and poor remittance of subscription fees by schools, this publication learnt that the patrons and district coordinator have devoted themselves to executing activities of UNSA in Zombo.
According to the district coordinator who spoke to this publication, Sydney Biyika echoed that they have commenced preparations for the annual National Executive Committee Council meeting by holding district executive committee elections.
“These representatives are those that are going to represent the district of Zombo when it comes to the National Students Council which is an annual program that comprises all students within the country,” Biyika said.
The Uganda National Students Association (UNSA) advocates for the welfare of students in all post-primary institutions of learning, secondary schools, tertiary institutions and universities and it’s lauded for masterminding the initiative of having a student loan scheme to help disadvantaged learners.
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