Makerere Culture Minister Resigns After Suspension Over Freshers’ Ball Clash

KAMPALA, Uganda — Makerere University’s Minister for Culture, Mobilisation and Social Affairs, Edward Mutebi, has resigned following his suspension by Guild President Gracious Kadondi over a confrontation at the university’s Freshers’ Ball.

Mutebi announced his resignation on Monday, November 2, 2026, a day after Kadondi issued a suspension notice barring him from performing his ministerial duties for 29 days while investigations into his conduct were undertaken.

In his resignation letter, Mutebi described the events at the October 31 Freshers’ Ball as “the last straw”, saying he was leaving the Guild Cabinet with his dignity intact.

The resignation followed a public disagreement surrounding the organisation of the annual event, held at Impis Rugby Grounds, where Guild President Kadondi interrupted musician Fik Fameica’s performance to address students.

What happened at the Freshers’ Ball?

The confrontation unfolded on Saturday night after Fik Fameica had taken to the stage. Kadondi walked onto the stage with members of her team and sought to address the audience.

The singer objected to the interruption and asked the Guild President and her team to leave the stage so he could continue performing. Security personnel intervened as the exchange attracted attention from students, some of whom chanted the musician’s name.

Fik Fameica eventually resumed his performance after Kadondi and her team left the stage.

The incident followed disruptions to the event's programme caused by rainfall, which organisers said had affected the time available for performances and speeches.

Why Mutebi was suspended

In a notice dated November 1, Kadondi announced Mutebi’s suspension for 29 days, citing Article 83(1) of the Makerere University Students’ Guild Constitution, 2022.

She said the decision was intended to allow investigations into whether Mutebi had met the standards of conduct expected of a Guild minister.

During the suspension, Mutebi was barred from exercising the powers and responsibilities of his office or representing the Guild in his ministerial capacity. He was also directed to return official materials in his possession.

The suspension notice did not publicly detail the specific conduct being investigated.

Mutebi gives his side of the dispute

In his resignation letter, Mutebi offered a different account of the events, accusing Kadondi of interfering with preparations and the running of the Freshers’ Ball.

He alleged that the Guild President and her vice-president missed planning meetings involving university officials, security personnel and sponsors. He further claimed that Kadondi later arrived with relatives and friends and sought access to restricted backstage areas.

Mutebi argued that the confrontation arose from disagreements over the event programme and the opportunity to address students.

These claims represent Mutebi’s account of the dispute and have not been established through an independent investigation.

Before announcing his resignation, Mutebi had also apologised on behalf of the organising committee to performers and stakeholders whose time on the programme was reduced or who were unable to perform.

A dispute within Makerere’s student leadership

The developments have drawn attention to the relationship between the Guild Cabinet and the office of the Guild President, particularly over authority, event management and accountability.

Kadondi’s suspension notice cited the constitutional powers of the Guild President, while Mutebi’s resignation letter questioned her handling of the event and leadership approach.

Neither the suspension notice nor Mutebi’s resignation letter constitutes an independent finding of misconduct by either party.

With Mutebi now out of the Cabinet, attention turns to the next steps in the Guild administration and how the university’s student leadership will address the fallout from the Freshers’ Ball.

Source DAILY MONITOR