Dr Fred Tanga Odoi's two-term chairmanship of the Makerere University Academic Staff Association (MUASA) ended in a virtual anticlimax on Wednesday, despite a colourful and dramatic reign at the top.

Nearly half of the 400 dons in attendance walked out in protest ahead of the election that brought in Dr Mohammad Kiggundu as chairman. Kiggundu beat Prof Florence Asiimwe by 157 votes to 94. Kiggundu, who has been deputy to Odoi in the outgoing committee, promised to keep the legacy of the old committee by upholding its agenda.

"I take over from a great leader who has achieved a lot. I promise not to disappoint people that have trusted me," he said.

Prof Margaret Mangheni took over from Kiggundu as vice chairperson, while Dr Frank Mwine is now general secretary, taking over from Gilbert Gumoshabe. Louis Kakinda retained his public relations portfolio. The rest of the six posts were uncontested.

Though the association boasts of over 4,000 members, only 400 turned up for the general assembly to elect Kiggundu and of these, 251 actually voted after the rest protested against a suggestion to introduce proxy voting, which some thought was a ploy to rig the poll. There were 90 proxy votes of the 251 votes cast. The new committee will formally take office in February 2013.

New MUASA executive

Chairman: Dr Mohammad Kiggundu

Vice Chairman: Prof Margaret Mangheni

Gen Sec: Dr Frank Mwine

Vice Gen Sec: Dr Richard Kabiito

Treasurer: Dr Hellen N Nankabirwa

PRO: Louis Kakinda

Welfare: Dr Winston Tumps Ireeta

External affairs: Davies Rwabu

Academic Research: Prof Jacob Agea

Planning: Alfred Nuwamanya