Kampala, Uganda,
July 17, 2022 — The South Sudanese Students Union in Ugandan Universities and higher institutions have impeached their President, Gum Beny Machar, over allegations of corruptions and abuse of office, an allegation Gum denies and encountered.
According to the union, the former President Gum refused to show the financial documents but they believe he embezzled the funds that were meant for their union to assist vulnerable students in Ugandan universities and colleges.
In respond to the allegations, Gum impeached the SSSU- U Executives for “continued failure to pay keen adherence to the union constitution and mandates”, and denied their allegations.
“I write on behalf of the Union Executive Branch, in response to legally incoherent and unsupported allegations of corruption and other misdemeanors that are contrary to the Constitution of the Union which are calculated to create long-lasting rifts in the leadership of the Union and to be used as a weapon to distract the Executive Branch from pursuing the student-centered developmental projects.” Part of a long statement authored by the Secretary General Thon Jacob Angeth reads.
On their part, the MPs accused the South Sudanese students Union President of massive corruption and emblazonment of union funds and resources saying that the President has continuously failed to provide accountability on how the Union Money is used.
“When you asked him that question he labels you as an enemy. Gum turns the Students Union into his own. He is living a Lavish life. He bought a brand-new car and rented an expensive house in Juba worth more than 500 dollars per month” said Peter Mamuch, the Speaker of South Sudanese Students’ Union Parliament in Uganda.
The leaders said that the embezzlement of funds, bribery, and other form of corruption have been recorded and documented in the office of the President, which amounted to his failure to perform the constitutional obligations in rescuing vulnerable students who deserve Union’s support.
The Members of the Union are quoting Article 2 of the Student Union, saying the Article talks about the office of the President.
“President Gum has exhibited the highest form of abuse of the office by divided people so that he can stay longer in the office despite looting students’ funds and resources.” Part of the statement reads.
“Sectional Politics and patronage and dictatorship ”
The president of the union, Gum, is also accused of manipulating the students by dividing them along tribal lines to continue ruling the divided Union through a few students from his community who are still supporting him on tribal lines.
“He manipulates people of his section to advance his influence and consolidate himself into power, by threatening others from speaking the truth and opposing his unpopular policies. This is evidenced by the series of meetings Gum attempted to hold with his people but he is always rejected by his brave people who don’t want to encourage sectional politics and attitudes.” Parts of the statement reads.
“And patronage and dictatorship behavior amount to gross misconduct by constitutional post holders like the President contrary to Article 70 of the Union constitution and magnify penalties Under Article 71. Gum into direct confrontation with his subordinates when any member of parliament or Executive tries to underpin the defects or misdeeds in the leadership.” The statement added.
The Union also accused Gum of breaching their constitution by violating the rights and duties of the Vice President.
“President Gum has breached the vice President powers on several occasions where he has assigned some of his supporters and allies even though he is present. Above all this abuse of duties was experienced in the 7th July executive meetings where the general secretary denies VP proposal and agenda but instead controls the session. Thus, VP was left with no options conclude in favor of the secretary general and president ” the Union statement continued.
They also accused Gum of neglecting his duties, saying he has been on and off to Juba without their consent.
“The president has several times abandoned his duty by running to juba sticking there without proper and compelling reason to the Union. This has kept Union to a Stalemate since he is a man who is so possessed with power and holds Union at ransom. In fact, he is on the run as we speak. The MPs have therefore decided to bring this to an end” The statement added.
“The president on many occasions has paid a deaf ear to constitutionalism of this Union. He personally doesn’t understand and respect the provisions of the constitutions. On many occasions the president has committed grave breaches of the Articles of the constitution for essence he championed a project dubbed student help project where he created ghost students and his close friends and relatives to get money.” They said.
Members of parliament accused President Gum for undermining and disrespecting the parliament.
“President had always blatantly ignored and disrespected the parliament. He on several occasions blocked parliament from holding a meeting by using Uganda police and denying them the funds for facilitations.” The statement further added.
