By Patrick Opio
Senior Communications Officer
Lira University Ag. Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic Affairs, Assoc. Prof. Judith Akello Abal has encouraged Students’ Guild Leadership to ensure effective communication to the students as conflicting messages or long silence can turn a problem into mistrust.
Communication being a tool for effective leadership, Assoc. Prof. Akello Abal said, includes listening, verification, explanation, action and feedback. She was addressing Lira University Students’ Guild Leadership Induction, 2026 /2027 Academic Year, at Gracious Palace Hotel, Lira City on 10th September 2026.
Assoc. Prof. Akello Abal addressing the students’ leaders at Gracious Palace Hotel
Theme, “Guild Leadership: A Cornerstone for Shaping Future Governance,”
Prof. Akello Abal who doubles as the Dean Faculty of Management Sciences, explained that leadership communication being the purposeful exchange of information and meaning, works in both directions. “Leaders should create a safe route for questions, disagreement and correction, a WhatsApp post may spread information, but communication is complete only when people understand and know the next step,” Prof. Abal notes.
On privacy rule, Prof. Abal said, never discuss personal welfare, health, disciplinary or financial details in a large group. She reiterated that students will judge the Guild not only by decisions, but also by whether they understand those decisions, feel heard and see follow-through.
Students’ Guild Leaders at the orientation event
Senior Assistant Secretary, Mr. Denis Opio Otema said students’ guild leadership serves as the official voice for students and acts as a key partner in the university governance and management.
Mr. Opio Otema said the students’ leadership’s core roles in governance is advocacy whereby guild leaders present student complaints to the university top administrators. “The Guild President and his Vice sit on the University Council and its committees to help draft student-centered policies.
On conflict mediation, Mr. Opio Otema said, the leaders should help calm tensions between students and the administration during campus disputes.
The Ag. Dean of Students, Mr. James Bond Opok said that leadership is not simply about occupying positions or making speeches, it is about developing and demonstrating the values, skills, attitudes, and principles required for responsible governance.
“Your election demonstrates the confidence fellow students have placed in you, they have entrusted you with their voices, aspirations, concerns, and interests. This trust is a privilege, but above all, it is a responsibility,” Mr. Opok said.
Mr. Opok further reiterated, “Leadership is fundamentally about service. Your positions should never be viewed as symbols of superiority over other students. Rather, they are a call to serve with humility, integrity, fairness, and commitment.”
You will make difficult decisions, Mr. Opok said, some will attract praise; others may attract criticism, but let integrity be your compass.
He advised the guild leaders not to allow popularity to replace principle, nor sacrifice truth for applause, compromising their values for temporary political gain.
Mr. James Bond Opok addressing the Students’ Guild Leaders
Mr. Opok noted that a good leader is not one who simply tells people what they want to hear but articulates to them what they need to hear, respectfully and constructively.
He encouraged them to promote unity and inclusion, reject discrimination, tribalism, religious intolerance, gender-based discrimination, violence, bullying, and all forms of exclusion.