MUHIMBILI UNIVERSITY OF HEALTH AND

ALLIED SCIENCES

CONSTITUTION OF MUHIMBILI UNIVERSITY OF

HEALTH AND ALLIED SCIENCES STUDENTS’
ORGANIZATION

Revised version 2016

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Contents
ARTICLE 1 ...................................................................................................................................................... 3
ESTABLISHMENT, ACRONYM AND LOCATION ................................................................................... 3
ARTICLE 2 ...................................................................................................................................................... 3
INTERPRETATION AND ABBREVIATIONS ............................................................................................ 3
ARTICLE 3 ...................................................................................................................................................... 5
OFFICIAL LANGUAGE ................................................................................................................................ 5
ARTICLE 4 ...................................................................................................................................................... 5
COMPLIANCE STATEMENT ...................................................................................................................... 5
ARTICLE 5 ...................................................................................................................................................... 6
NON DISCRIMINATION .............................................................................................................................. 6
ARTICLE 6 ...................................................................................................................................................... 6
MEMBERSHIP, OBLIGATIONS AND RIGHTS OF MEMBERS.............................................................. 6
ARTICLE 7 ...................................................................................................................................................... 7
POWERS OF MUHASSO .............................................................................................................................. 7
ARTICLE 8 ...................................................................................................................................................... 8
PRINCIPAL ORGANS OF GOVERNANCE ................................................................................................ 8
ARTICLE 9 ...................................................................................................................................................... 8
THE MUHASSO CABINET ........................................................................................................................... 8
ARTICLE 10 .................................................................................................................................................. 10
PRESIDENT .................................................................................................................................................. 10
ARTICLE 11 .................................................................................................................................................. 14
VICE PRESIDENT ....................................................................................................................................... 14
ARTICLE 12 .................................................................................................................................................. 15
PRIME MINISTER ....................................................................................................................................... 15
ARTICLE 13 .................................................................................................................................................. 16
THE UNIVERSITY STUDENTS REPRESENTATIVES COUNCIL ........................................................ 16
ARTICLE 14 .................................................................................................................................................. 19
THE SPEAKER, DEPUTY SPEAKER AND CLERK ................................................................................ 19
ARTICLE 15 .................................................................................................................................................. 21
JUDICIAL ORGAN ...................................................................................................................................... 21
ARTICLE 16 .................................................................................................................................................. 22

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EXECUTIVE COMMITEES (EX-COMS) .................................................................................................. 22
ARTICLE 17 .................................................................................................................................................. 23
ELECTORAL ORGANS............................................................................................................................... 23
ARTICLE 18 .................................................................................................................................................. 23
MUHASSO ELECTORAL COMMITTEE .................................................................................................. 23
ARTICLE 19 .................................................................................................................................................. 24
MUHASSO ELECTORAL APPELLATE BOARD ..................................................................................... 24
ARTICLE 20 .................................................................................................................................................. 24
ELECTIONS ................................................................................................................................................. 24
ARTICLE 21 .................................................................................................................................................. 26
HALL COMMITTEE.................................................................................................................................... 26
ARTICLE 22 .................................................................................................................................................. 26
OATHS OF OFFICE ..................................................................................................................................... 26
ARTICLE 23 .................................................................................................................................................. 26
FINANCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY ........................................................................................................ 26
ARTICLE 24 .................................................................................................................................................. 27
AMENDMENT OF THE CONSTITUTION ................................................................................................ 27
ARTICLE 25 .................................................................................................................................................. 28
MISCELLANEOUS ...................................................................................................................................... 28

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 ARTICLE 1
ESTABLISHMENT, ACRONYM AND LOCATION
a) There shall be and is hereby established the Muhimbili University of Health and Allied
Sciences Students Organization. The acronym of the organization shall be MUHASSO.

b) This constitution shall be cited as MUHASSO Constitution of 2015 and shall be for
the student’s organization of Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences.

c) The headquarters of MUHASSO shall be allocated and operate at any place where all the
University Administrative and students’ activities shall take place. The office premise shall
be at the officially allocated room(s) and/or hall(s) as the case may be.

ARTICLE 2
INTERPRETATION AND ABBREVIATIONS
The following words shall have the meaning assigned to them as follows

“Authority” means University Administration or Ministry responsible for higher education.

“Cabinet” consists of the President, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ministers and
Deputy Ministers.

“Class Coordinators” means an appointed student who shall coordinate students’ affairs in the
class

“Class Representative” means an elected student who shall represent students in the USRC
meetings as provided under this constitution.

“Council” has a meaning ascribed to it in the Universities act.

“Deputy Speaker” means the chief assistant to the Speaker and shall preside over the USRC
meetings in absence of the speaker or in any case as stated in this constitution.

“Hall of residence” means the collection of blocks where students reside.

“Informal meeting” means any unscheduled meeting of any MUHASSO organ duly convened.

“Judicial Organ” means the Judicial and Disciplinary Affairs Committee and shall be
established in accordance with the Students Organization constitution.

“MUHASSO members” mean the registered students of MUHAS having qualifications as

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described under this constitution.

“Office Bearer” means the President, the Vice-President, the Prime Minister, Ministers and
Deputy Ministers (if any) of respective ministries
“President” means a President of a student organization of Muhimbili University of Health and
Allied Sciences.

“Presidential elections” means the election of the President and the Vice President.

“Rules” means the rules made by the USRC under the provisions of this constitution.

“Speaker” means the person who shall chair and preside over the meeting of the
MUHASSO University Students Representative Council as the case may be and shall be
elected as provided for in this constitution.

“Special problems” includes the need for legal services, counselling and guidance services,
moral and social support.

“Students Baraza” means the general meeting of the students constituted as provided under
Article 24(1) of this constitution.

“Students Organization” means the Association of the University students established

under this constitution and approved by the Council of MUHAS

“Vice President” means a Vice President of a student organization of Muhimbili University of

Health and Allied Sciences.

The following abbreviations have been used in one or the other part of this constitution
and shall have their long forms as;

CRs Class Representatives

EX-COMS Executive Committees
MEC MUHASSO Electoral Committee
MUHAS Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences.
MUHASSO Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences Students Organization.
SoD School of Dentistry
SoM School of Medicine
SoN School of Nursing

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SoPHSS School of Public Health and Social Sciences.
SoP School of Pharmacy
TAMELASA Tanzania Medical Laboratory Students Association.

TAMSA Tanzania Medical Students Association

TAPSA Tanzania Pharmaceutical Students Association
TASARTT Tanzania Students Association of Radiotherapy Technology
TDSA Tanzania Dental Students Association.
TEHSA Tanzania Environmental Health Students Association.
UNSATA University Nursing Students Association in Tanzania.
USRC University Students Representative Council

Words, Phrases, expressions and other grammatical signs, not expressly defined herein shall be
given an ordinary interpretation assigned to them depending on context and legal technique as
the case maybe.

ARTICLE 3
OFFICIAL LANGUAGE
The official language of MUHASSO shall be English and/or Kiswahili.

ARTICLE 4
COMPLIANCE STATEMENT
1. MUHASSO understands and is committed to fulfil its responsibilities of abiding by
Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences policies.

2. UponapprovalbytheCouncilofMuhimbiliUniversityofHealthandAlliedSciences,
MUHASSO shall be a registered student organization at the Muhimbili University of
Health and Allied Sciences. Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences Students
Organization shall comply with the laws of the United Republic of Tanzania as well as
all Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences regulations, policies and
procedures.

3. In addition, MUHASSO shall adhere to the following:-

(a) Transparency in all its affairs.
(b) Accountability for its actions and omissions.

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 (c) Observance of sense of responsibility in its decisions and pursuits.
(d) Be guided by good moral principles.
(e) Respect and implement gender mainstreaming.

ARTICLE 5
NON DISCRIMINATION
MUHASSO, an organization of Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences is
committed to provide equal opportunities and does not discriminate any one on the basis of race,
religion, color, creed, national origin, sex, age, marital status, disability or status with regard to
public assistance.

ARTICLE 6
MEMBERSHIP, OBLIGATIONS AND RIGHTS OF MEMBERS
1. Membership
All admitted and registered students of the Muhimbili University of Health and Allied
Sciences herein referred to as University community who are taking undergraduate degree
studies at MUHAS are lawful members of MUHASSO.

2. Obligations
Every member of MUHASSO:
a) Shall uphold this constitution endeavour to education educate oneself to the best of ones
capability to education for the benefit of humankind.
b) Shall pay fees and annual subscriptions, when due, as may be prescribed from time to
time by Rules made by USRC as established under this Constitution.
c) Shall attend meetings regularly, carry out assignments, be an example of self-
discipline, industriousness, ethical and academic responsibility, participate in all
activities of MUHASSO and refrain from influencing MUHASSO or her office bearers
in a way or manner which may appear to be prejudicial to the interest of the organization.
d) Shall respect Student By-Laws as it is a condition for ones admission to University in
accordance with the current By-Laws or as may be amended from time to time.
e) Shall fully participate in overall activities of MUHASSO as prescribes in article 6(c)
unless is it is ruled that the member has acted in a manner that is not appropriate to
students and the act is prejudicial to the best interest of the organization.
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3. Rights
Every member of MUHASSO;
a) Shall have the right to participate in general activities of MUHASSO.
b) Shall be eligible to vote or hold office when elected or appointed according to the
provisions of this Constitution.
c) Shall obtain and inspect copies of all documents of MUHASSO upon request from the
Prime Minister.
d) Shall receive all publications of MUHASSO, if any, as the case may be.
e) As determined by USRC, shall have a right of appearance and appeal before any organ
that may determine the member’s vital interest for MUHASSO and the University at
large.
f) Shall have the right of audience and freedom of expression before all organs of
MUHASSO and all the media provided that in the course of enjoyment of the rights
stated in this constitution nothing should be construed to entitle a member of
MUHASSO to hinder, in any way, other members to enjoy the same.
g) Shall have the right to:
(i) Assemble;
(ii) Demonstrate; and
(iii) Express their opinion;

Provided that they do not cause breach of peace or disrupt the academic and
administrative functions of the University.

4. Cessation of membership
Membership to the MUHASSO shall cease when any of the following occurs:
a) Upon one ceasing to be a student of MUHAS by any reason whatsoever.
b) Upon cessation of membership in accordance with the provisions of Article 6(2) of
this Constitution

ARTICLE 7
POWERS OF MUHASSO
1. MUHASSO shall, in consultation with the Dean of Students, have powers:
a) To revise the Constitution of the organization.

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 b) To formulate the Election Rules.
c) To establish the Code of Good Conduct.
d) To prepare financial Regulations.
e) To formulate rules governing peer support services.
f) To organize and implement outreach programs.
g) To represent students in appropriate University decision making organs.

ARTICLE 8
PRINCIPAL ORGANS OF GOVERNANCE
MUHASSO shall have three independent organs of governance namely:
a) The MUHASSO Cabinet
b) The University Students Representative Council (USRC)
c) The Judicial organ.

ARTICLE 9
THE MUHASSO CABINET
1. Establishment
There shall be and is hereby established the MUHASSO Cabinet.
2. Composition
a) The Cabinet shall be composed of
(i) The President
(ii) The Vice President
(iii) The Prime Minister
(iv) The Ministers

Deputy Minister can attend a meeting as invitees only where necessary.

b) The MUHASSO Cabinet shall not exceed fifteen members in total of which 3/5 shall be
appointed from amongst the USRC members and the remaining 2/5 may be appointed
from outside of the USRC.
c) The President shall preside over all Cabinet meetings and in the event of his/her absence
the meetings shall be presided over by the Vice President and where both are absent then
the Prime Minister shall preside.

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 d) The appointment of Ministers and Deputy Ministers shall endeavour to achieve
Proportionate representation as regards to gender, disability/people with special needs,
colleges, Institutes and Schools.
e) The Cabinet shall be the principal organ for advising the President in all matters
regarding the exercise of his/her powers in accordance with the provisions of this
constitution.

3. Power to Appoint Cabinet

All Ministers, including the Prime Minister and Deputy Ministers, shall be appointed by the
President in consultation with the Vice President.

4. Functions and Accountability

The Cabinet shall have the following executive functions:-
a) The day to day running of MUHASSO affairs;
b) To prepare the budget of the Organization;
c) TopresentreportsonrevenuesandexpenditureofdaytodayactivitiestotheUSRC meetings;
d) To propose Bills, Regulations, and By-Laws of MUHASSO;
e) To perform any other duty in the interest of MUHASSO meetings;
f) For avoidance of doubt, all Cabinet Ministers, and Deputy Ministers shall be accountable
to the President.

Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 9(4)(d), any bona-fide MUHASSO member

may propose Bills, Regulations, and By-laws of MUHASSO in accordance with
procedures laid down by USRC.

5. Tenure of office
a) The tenure of the office of the Prime Minister, Cabinet Ministers and Deputy Ministers to
the Ministries shall be one year.
b) The office shall fall vacant upon the occurrence of any of the following events:
(i) If the incumbent dies or resigns
(ii) When the President revokes the appointment by removing incumbent from the
office, such revocation and appointment shall be in formal writing.
(iii) Where the President resigns or is impeached or where both the offices of the
President and the Vice President are vacant for other reasons than being absent.

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6. Remuneration of the office Bearers
Cabinet member shall not be paid any salary, except allowances or being reimbursed only
cost incurred in discharging his or her official duties stated under this Constitution or
rules made under this Constitution or any other laws or rules and upon proof of the use of the
same.

ARTICLE 10
PRESIDENT
1. Establishment
(i) There shall be the President of MUHASSO who shall be the head of the MUHASSO
Government.
(ii) The President shall be responsible to constitute the MUHASSO Government, which shall
comprise of the President, Vice President, Prime Minister, Ministers, and Deputy
Ministers.
2. Discharge of Presidential functions
(i) The President shall perform his/her duties in consultation with the Vice President and the
Remaining members of the Cabinet
(ii) In absence of the President of MUHASSO from the office, the President shall by notice
in writing inform the Vice President or other MUHASSO leaders as stipulated in Article
10(7)(i) all the matters relating to his duties within three days.
3. Election to office
The President shall be elected by students in accordance with the provisions of this
constitution and the Rules or Regulations made by the USRC pursuant to the provisions of
this constitution.

4. Vacancy in the office of the President

a) Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, the office of the President shall fall vacant
and the election of the President shall be held. Otherwise, the vacancy shall be filled in
accordance with the provisions of this Constitution, as the case maybe, upon the
occurrence of any of the following events:
(i) Resignation of the President;
(ii) Death of the President;

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 (iii) Impeachment of the President by the USRC;
(iv) Discontinuation from studies; or
(v) Expulsion or suspension from studies after having been found guilty of the
disciplinary offences contained in the MUHAS Student By-Laws.
(vi) Any other event or occurrence that may lead to the office of the President being
vacant.
5. Eligibility for contesting for the Presidency
(i) Any MUHASSO member shall not qualify to contest for the Presidential office if
he/she is in first year or final year of study at MUHAS.
(ii) Any person who holds the office as President shall serve for the term of one year and
may be eligible for re-election to that office.
(iii) All other matters concerning the procedures for the election of the President shall be as
provided for in rules made by USRC.
(iv) Any candidate contesting for the office of the President shall be declared duly elected
President only if he/she has obtained more votes than the other contesting candidates in
an election where not less than 1/3 of the total number of all registered
MUHASSO members voted. He/she has obtained majority vote and the number of
electorate duly registered by MUHASSO is not less than one third of all
registered members of MUHASSO.
6. Tenure of office
(i) Unless he/she sooner resigns or dies or is discontinued, expelled or suspended from
studies, the person elected as a President shall hold the office of the President for period
of one year from the date which he/she was elected President.
(ii) A person elected president shall hold office of a President until;
(a) The day his or her successor assumes office,
(b) The day he or she dies while in office,
(c) The day he or she resigns from office, or
(d) He/she ceases to hold office of a President in accordance with the provisions of
this constitution.

7. Absence from office

(i) In the event that the president is absent, the duties and functions of the President shall

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 be discharged by one of the following in the following order
(a) Vice President
(b) Prime Minister
(c) Speaker

(ii) Where any of the persons specified in paragraphs (a) (b) and (c) of sub-article 7(i)
above discharge the duties and functions of the office of the President by reason that the
person preceding him is absent, such a person shall cease to discharge those duties and
functions immediately after that other person preceding him/her returns and resumes to
discharge the duties and functions of the office of the President.

8. Collapse of the Government

If the offices of both the President and the Vice President are vacant by any other
reasons provided under this constitution other than being absent, the whole of MUHASSO
Government shall be presumed not to be in existence and in the duration not exceeding
twenty one days there shall be conducted new Presidential election as per article 10(3). In
such event, the MUHASSO Cabinet shall continue to discharge the Government functions
until the new President and the Vice President are sworn in to hold office.

9. Removal of the President

(i) The USRC may pass the resolution to remove the President from the office if a motion
to Impeach the President is moved and passed in accordance with the provisions of sub-
article 9(iv) of this article.
(ii) No motion to impeach the President shall be passed unless it is alleged that the
President;
(a) Has committed act(s) which violate(s) any provisions of this constitution,
(b) Has conducted himself in a manner which lowers the esteem of the office of the
President.
(iii) Any allegation against the President shall be signed by two thirds of all the USRC
members and supported by signatures of MUHASSO members from each of the
College, School and Institute and shall be served on the Speaker.
(iv) The USRC shall not pass a motion to impeach the President unless;
(a) Upon the receipt of the notice by the Speaker, a special Committee of inquiry

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 shall be formed and approved by two third of the USRC members.
(b) The Committee shall carry out investigations and shall submit its findings to the
Speaker within fourteen days from the date the names of the Committee members
are approved by USRC.
(c) The Speaker shall inform the President of the allegations levelled against him.
(d) When the Speaker receives the report, of the Committees findings he/she shall
issue a seven clear days’ notice to convene the USRC for the purpose of tabling
before it the report by the special Committee of inquiry.
(v) The Speaker shall serve upon the President the report of the Committee’s
findings, together with the notice convening USRC meeting.
(vi) The report of the Committee’s findings will be tabled before the USRC by
the Chairperson of the special Committee of inquiry and the Speaker will give the
President opportunity to respond to the reported findings in his/her own defense.
(vii) The USRC shall deliberate on the reported findings and the Presidents response
in defense and make a decision on whether or not the President should be
impeached. A decision to impeach the President shall only be carried if passed by a
two-thirds majority of the USRC members present and voting.
(viii) An impeachment vote shall be taken at a meeting specifically convened for that
purpose after a fourteen days’ notice has been issued and served to each and every
member of the USRC.
(ix) The quorum at the USRC meeting convened for the purpose of taking an
impeachment vote shall be 90% of the all the members of the USRC.
(x) The impeachment vote shall be carried out if passed by not less than a two-thirds
majority of all the USRC members.
(xi) Where the impeachment against the President is successful he/she shall cease to hold
the office immediately and the whole MUHASSO Cabinet shall have automatically
been dissolved provided that the Vice President and the Prime Minister shall not be
affected unless they are involved in the matter.

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 ARTICLE 11
VICE PRESIDENT
1. Establishment
There shall be a Vice President who shall be the Principal assistant to the President in
respect of all matters concerning students generally and in particular shall:
(i) Assist the President in making follow-up on the day to day activities of
MUHASSO plans and programs.
(ii) Perform all duties and functions assigned to him/her by the President. Perform all duties
and functions of the office of the President when the President is out of the office.
(iii) Without prejudice to the provisions Article 10 (4), the Vice-President shall be elected in
the same election together with the President as a running mate. When a Presidential
candidate is elected, the Vice-President shall have been elected.
2. Discharge of functions
The Vice President shall perform his/her duties in consultation with the President.

3. Election to office
The Vice President shall be elected by MUHASSO members in accordance with the
provisions of this constitution and the Rules or Regulations made by USRC pursuant to the
provisions of this constitution.

4. Taking of office
The Vice President shall assume the office of the Vice President on the same day the
President assumes office.

5. Qualifications for election as Vice President

Qualifications for election as Vice President shall be the same as the qualifications for
election as the President.

6. Tenure of office
Subject to sub-article (7) of this article the Vice President shall hold the office for a period
of one year from the date he/she is elected as a Vice President.

7. Vacation of office
The Vice President shall hold the office until;

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 (i) His/her tenure of office expires.
(ii) He/she resigns.
(iii) He/she dies while in office.
(iv) He/she is discontinued from studies.
(v) He/she is sworn in as a President after the office of the President has fallen vacant.
8. Accession to office of President
Where the office of the President becomes vacant by any reason provided under this
constitution other than being absent, there shall be re-election of the President unless the
former President has stayed in leadership for more than half of the ordinary tenure, in such
case there shall not be re-election and the Vice President shall assume the duties of the
President.

9. Vacancy of the office of the Vice President

Where the office of the Vice President falls vacant for the reasons provided under this
Constitution, the incumbent Prime Minister shall act as the Vice President provided that the
former Vice President has been in power for more than a half of his/her tenure. In case the
former Vice president has been in power for less than half of his/her tenure, the president
shall appoint any MUHASSO member to be the successor.

10. Removal from office

The USRC may pass a resolution to remove the Vice President from office provided that;
(i) A petition is signed by 2/3 of the total number of members of USRC.
(ii) The petition is submitted to the Speaker who shall form a committee of inquiry.
(iii) The committee of inquiry will submit its findings to the Speaker for tabling in the USRC
and the same process as provided under article 10(9) for the removal of the President
applies.

ARTICLE 12
PRIME MINISTER
1. Appointment
There shall be the Prime Minister who shall be appointed by the President and approved by
a simple majority of the USRC.
2. Functions

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 The Prime Minister shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the MUHASSO cabinet and
shall be the leader of Government business in USRC.
3. Removal from office
The USRC may pass a resolution to remove the Prime Minister from office provided that
(i) A petition is signed by 1/3 of the total number of members of USRC.
(ii) The petition is submitted to the Speaker who shall form a committee of inquiry.
(iii) The committee of inquiry will submit its findings to the Speaker for tabling in the
USRC and the same process as provided under article 10(9) for the removal of the
President shall apply mutatis mutandis (with necessary changes).

ARTICLE 13
THE UNIVERSITY STUDENTS REPRESENTATIVES COUNCIL
1. Establishment
There shall be and is hereby established the University Students Representatives Council.

2. Composition
The USRC shall be composed of;
a) The Speaker.
b) The Deputy speaker.
c) The Clerk.
d) The Prime Minister
e) The Ministers
f) The Students Representatives.

3. The Students Representatives

For the purposes of the composition of the USRC, the following shall be the
students Representatives:
(a) Two elected Class Representatives (CRs) from each class in each year of study from
every school except for school of medicine which shall have some changes as stipulated
below:
(i) SoD: Two CRs shall be elected from each year of study giving a total of ten (10) CRs.

(ii) SoN: Two CRs shall be elected from each year of study giving a total of eight (8)
CRs regardless of number of programs.

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 (iii) SoPHSS: Two CRs shall be elected from each year of study giving a total of six (6)
CRs.

(iv) SoP: Two CRs shall be elected from each year of study giving a total of eight (8)
CRs.

(v) SoM: Two (2) CRs shall be elected based on the course represented as (BMLS,
BScRTT, and MD programs years, giving a total of twenty two (22) CRs.
(b) Two (2) appointed EX-COM members from each school, except for school of medicine
where there will be three appointed EX-COM members one from each programme
(c) The chairpersons of all Academic Associations within MUHAS such as TAMSA, TAPSA,
UNSATA, TDSA, TAMELASA, TASARTT and TEHSA.
(d) Chairpersons and Secretaries of each Hall of residence.

4. Meetings
a) The USRC shall convene not less than three times each semester according to the dates set
in the University Almanac.
b) The USRC may be convened at any other time by petition to the Speaker signed by at least
25% of the members of USRC, the Speaker shall, within two days from the date of receipt of
such petition issue a three days public notice, for the meeting unless emergency condition
demands a shorter notice. Where the Speaker fails to issue the notice for the meeting he/she
shall automatically resign from the office and the Deputy Speaker shall proceed to convene
the meeting. In the event the Deputy Speaker fails to convene the meeting, this provision
shall apply mutatis mutandis.
c) In the event where the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker resign automatically per article
13(4)(b) of this constitution, the Clerk of USRC shall convene the USRC meeting.
Members of the USRC not less than 25% of all members shall choose amongst themselves
the interim Speaker and the Deputy Speaker to preside over the USRC meetings.
d) The quorum for the USRC meeting shall be 50% of the members and subject to the
provision of this constitution its decision shall be carried out on the basis of 2/3 majority of
all the members of the USRC.

5. Cessation of USRC Membership

The USRC membership can cease by:

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 (i) Not attending two USRC meetings without prior notice dully served on the speaker
of USRC.
(ii) Death, discontinuation, expulsion from the University or de-registration.
(iii) Any USRC member elected by constituencies shall lose USRC membership upon
presentation to the Speaker of a resolution signed by not less than two thirds of the
electorate that elected such a member. The resolution must be made at a meeting
attended by at least two third of the students constituting the particular constituency and
duly supervised and attested by the Dean of students.

6. Tenure of USRC Membership

All USRC members including office bearers shall hold office for one academic year and
shall be eligible for re-election or re-appointment as the case may be, for another term

7. No remuneration rule
The office bearers and other members of the USRC shall not be entitled to any salary
except the allowances and reimbursement of any expenses incurred by them in the
performance of their respective duties as provided by the Rules and Regulations of
MUHASSO

8. Powers of USRC
The USRC shall have powers;
(i) To elect the Speaker, Deputy Speaker and the Clerk of the USRC.
(ii) To approve the name of the Prime Minister.
(iii) To confirm the Ministers and Deputy Ministers appointed by the President.
(iv) To review and approve or disapprove policies and actions of MUHASSO Government
whenever it considers necessary or desirable to do so.
(v) To evaluate and take appropriate action on the annual general handover Report by the
MUHASSO government.
(vi) To consider and approve or otherwise authorize budgetary appropriations funds
of MUHASSO government.
(vii) To approve budget estimates presented by the MUHASSO government during the
budget session.
(viii) To make provisions in any appropriate manner for regular auditing of books of

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 accounts of organs of MUHASSO to ensure a sound, proper and efficient
administration of MUHASSO.
(ix) To meet in ordinary sessions not less than three times in each academic
semester provided that the USRC shall meet in all other times as provided under
Article13(4) of this constitution.
(x) To discipline any member of the USRC office including suspension from office
provided two thirds votes of the total number of USRC members support the
Resolution.
(xi) To establish committees as may be found necessary for the execution of its
functions.
(xii) To approve all MUHASSO publications.
(xiii) To summon and question any Cabinet member for the purpose of enhancing
accountability of MUHASSO government.
(xiv) To make Rules and Regulations of MUHASSO.
(xv) To perform any other duty in the interest of MUHASSO members provided that it is
in compliance with Article 4 of this constitution.
(xvi) To make decision or declaration on any matter this is not necessarily covered under
this constitution.

9. Referendum
The USRC shall defer to a referendum any decision which is likely
(a) To affect the delivery of students services.
(b) To interrupt academic activity and,
(c) To cause the breach of peace.

Nonetheless, and without derogating from the provision of Regulation 11(2) of

the Universities (Students Organization) Regulation 2009 the USRC shall, in
consultation with the Dean of Students, make Rules to guide the conduct of the
referendum.

ARTICLE 14
THE SPEAKER, DEPUTY SPEAKER AND CLERK
1. Office of the Speaker

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 a) There shall be a Speaker who shall be elected by the members of the USRC from
amongst members of MUHASSO by majority votes.
b) The Speaker shall not be a member of MUHASSO Cabinet.
c) The Speaker shall convene and preside over the USRC meetings in accordance with
the USRC Standing Orders.
d) The Speaker shall cease to hold the office if he/she is removed from the office by a
resolution of the USRC by votes of not less than two thirds of all USRC members if
he/she violates any provisions of this constitution.
e) The Speakers shall be the representative and spokes-person of the USRC where such
representation is required.

2. Office of the Deputy Speaker

(a) There shall be a Deputy Speaker who shall be elected from amongst the
MUHASSO members by majority votes and shall be the Principal Assistant to
the Speaker.
(b) The Deputy Speaker shall convene and preside over USRC meetings in the
absence of the speaker and he/she shall not be a member of MUHASSO Cabinet.
(c) The Deputy Speaker can be removed from the office in the same manner as
provided for the removal of the Speaker in Article 14 (1)(d).

3. USRC Clerk
a) There shall be the Clerk of the USRC who shall be elected by the USRC members
from amongst MUHASSO members by majority votes.
b) The Clerk shall be responsible for the proper functions of USRC proceedings as
provided for under the USRC Standing Orders.
c) The Clerk can be removed from the office according to the procedures provided
under article 14 (1)(d).
d) Upon the absence of the USRC Clerk, the members of the USRC shall appoint any
member of the USRC to assume the activities and the appointee shall cease to hold
such a position when the USRC Clerk resumes his/her normal activities.

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 ARTICLE 15
JUDICIAL ORGAN
1. Establishment
(a) There shall be and is hereby established the MUHASSO Judicial Organ (to be referred
to in short as the “Judicial Organ”).
(b) The Judicial Organ shall be composed of Chairpersons and Secretaries from
every College, School and Institute whose jurisdiction (authority) shall be as
specified in this Constitution or in any other Law or rules.
(c) There shall be a Chairperson and Secretary to the Judicial Organ who shall be
elected amongst the members of the Judicial Organ.
2. Powers
The Judicial organ shall have the following powers;
(i) To act as a disciplinary authority and shall be capable of disciplining any MUHASSO
Office bearer or any other member other than the President and the Vice President for
malpractices, corruption and any other misconduct.
(ii) To make the procedures and mechanisms on how to receive and resolve disputes from
the halls of residences and classes for the purpose of resolving them with the aim of
promoting harmony and tranquillity among the members. The decision of the
Judicial Organ is final and conclusive subject to compliance with Article 6 (2) (d)
of this constitution.
(iii) Subject to consultation and approval with the Legal Council of MUHAS, the Judicial
Organisherebyvestedwithpowerspertainingtotheinterpretationofthisconstitution subject
to compliance with Article 6 (2) (d) of this constitution.
(iv) To receive, through the Dean of Students and determine all election appeals from the
MUHASSO Electoral Appellate Board and its decision shall be final and conclusive.

3. Functions
(i) The body is vested with Judicial and Disciplinary powers over MUHASSO members
and its organs.
(ii) In addition to sub-article 4(i) the Judicial Organ shall have other functions as follows
(a) Perform any other matters as may be brought before it either by the USRC,

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 Cabinet or any other MUHASSO member(s).
(b) For purposes of expediency and when need arises, the Judicial organ may invite the
President, Vice President, the Speaker and any other office bearer, as the
circumstances may require, to attend Judicial Organ meetings and give
clarifications, evidence or opinion on any matter that needs their attendance.
(c) The Judicial Organ shall have the sole jurisdiction to determine disputes that
may arise from decisions by the Cabinet and the Student Representative Council.
Any grievances arising from any determination by the Judicial Organ shall be
referred for determination by the Students through the referendum procedure.

4. Tenure of the Judicial Organ

(a) The tenure of the Judicial Organ shall be for the period of one year.
(b) Membership to the Judicial Organ shall cease where a member fails to attend two
meetings of the Judicial Organ without a prior notice dully served to the chairperson of
the Judicial Organ or any member acting in that capacity.

5. Meetings
(a) All meetings of the Judicial Organ shall be convened by Secretary to the Judicial Organ
upon giving two days’ notice after consultation with the Chairperson.
(b) The quorum at every sitting of the Judicial Organ shall be not less than two-third of the
members.
(c) The Judicial Organ shall hold meetings provided that there shall be not less than
three meetings per semester.
(d) Where it appears that the Secretary to the Judicial Organ fails to convene the
meeting or any other circumstances where it is important to convene, one third of
the members of the Judicial Organ may ask the Secretary to convene the meeting,
failure of which they may proceed to convene such a meeting.

ARTICLE 16
EXECUTIVE COMMITEES (EX-COMS)
1. Establishment
There shall be and hereby established the EX-COMS for every School of the MUHAS
headed by the School Chairperson and his/her Secretary.

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2. Composition
Every EX-COM shall be comprised of School Chairperson, General Secretary and two (male
and female) appointed EX-COM members of a respective school except for School of
Medicine, in which the appointed EX-COM members shall be three (3), one from each
programme.

3. Election and Appointment to the office

a) The EX-COM Chairperson and General Secretary shall be elected by members of the
respective school.
b) The EX-COM Chairperson shall in, consultation with the General Secretary
appoint three EX-COM members.
c) The names of the EX-COM members appointed by the Chairperson shall be announced
and submitted to the secretary of the MEC within three days (3) after such appointment,
immediately after the results for EX-COM Chairperson and Secretary are announced.
4. Functions
The EX-COM Chairpersons and Secretaries of schools shall perform day today activities
and shall be answerable to USRC through their three EX-COM appointees.

ARTICLE 17
ELECTORAL ORGANS
1. Establishment
There shall be and are hereby established the following electoral organs, which shall
be responsible for election matters as respectively provided for in this Constitution,
namely:
(a) The Electoral Committee; and
(b) The Electoral Appellate Board.

ARTICLE 18
MUHASSO ELECTORAL COMMITTEE
1. Composition
The MEC shall be comprised of five members from each school appointed by the
Speaker in consultation and recommendation of the USRC members and shall supervise
all electoral activities and act on their position for one term of election.
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 2. Chairperson and Secretary
There shall be Chairperson and the Secretary to the MEC who shall be elected by
the members of the committee from amongst themselves.

3. Function
The MEC shall have powers to oversee and supervise the conduct of MUHASSO
elections in accordance with the rules and procedures made by the USRC.

4. Powers
The MEC shall have all such powers in respect of the conduct of elections as provided in
the Election Rules made by the USRC, including the declaration of winners and
entertaining election petitions and other election grievances as detailed in the
Election Rules, and its decision may be subject to appeal to the Electoral Appellate
Board in accordance with the election Rules.

ARTICLE 19
MUHASSO ELECTORAL APPELLATE BOARD
1. Composition
The Electoral Appellate Board shall be composed of one member from each College,
School and Institute elected by USRC from amongst them.

2. Chairperson and Secretary

There shall be chairperson and secretary to the Electoral Appellate Board who shall
be elected by the members of the Electoral Appellate Board from amongst themselves.

3. Functions
The Electoral Appellate Board is hereby vested with the original jurisdiction to determine
appeals from the MEC and any further appeal shall lie to the Judicial Organ whose
decision on the matter shall be final and conclusive.

ARTICLE 20
ELECTIONS
1. General Elections
General Elections of student representatives and student leaders, other than the election of the
President and Vice President, shall be conducted one week before the Presidential elections

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 and in accordance with the Election Rules.

2. Eligibility to Contest for Election

Any MUHASSO member is eligible to contest for any post in MUHASSO unless he/she
(i) Has underperformed academically by obtaining a Grade Point Average (GPA) of less
than 2.7 in the immediate previous academic year.
(ii) Is disqualified for being a holder of an office in any political party.
(iii) Does not meet the membership criteria as provided for in this Constitution.
(iv) Has a criminal record for having been convicted for a criminal offence or has
pending criminal prosecution in any court of law.
(v) Has a record of being suspended from studies for any serious disciplinary offence,
including acts of defiance, sexual offences, violence against fellow students or
university staff, and theft.

3. Right to vote
Every registered student who has met the MUHASSO membership criteria shall have the
right to vote in any MUHASSO election.

4. Secret ballot
Votes at any MUHASSO election shall be taken by a secret ballot. The ballot boxes shall be
transparent, of a fixed number and which shall be counted, certified and recorded.

5. Validity of Election
Any MUHASSO election shall only be valid if it has the participation and voting by not less
than one-third of the total number of MUHASSO members at MUHAS.

6. Election of the Speaker

(i) The first meeting of the USRC shall be held within five days after the Presidential
elections.
(ii) The Speaker shall be elected within five days after Presidential elections.
(iii) In case the election of the office of the Speaker is delayed for any good reason then
before such election the USRC shall endorse the extension of time only to that election
for the period which does not exceed seven days.

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 ARTICLE 21
HALL COMMITTEE
1. Establishment
There shall be in each Hall of Residence or Student Hostel, a Committee responsible for the
discharge of all functions and duties in respect of each hall of residence or hostel.

2. Composition
The Committee shall be comprised of a Chairperson and Secretary to be elected by members
of the respective hall/hostel on the date of ordinary general elections.

ARTICLE 22
OATHS OF OFFICE
1. Requirement to take Oath of Office

The following office bearers shall take oath of office before assuming the respective offices
to which they are elected:
(i) The President and the Vice President shall not assume office unless they have taken Oath
of allegiance to be administered by the Commissioner for Oaths, within five days from
the date of official results in the presence of the Dean of Students of MUHAS and the
Chairperson of MEC.
(ii) The Speaker, Deputy Speaker and the Clerk of the USRC shall take Oath of allegiance or
such other Oath to be administered by the Commissioner for Oaths, within five days from
the date of their election, in the presence of the Dean of Students of MUHAS.
(iii) Prime Minister, Ministers and Deputy Ministers shall not assume their offices unless they
have taken oaths of allegiance or such other Oath to be administered by the
Commissioner for Oaths, within five days from the date of their approval by the USRC,
for due discharge of the duties of their offices, in the presence of the Dean of Students of
MUHAS ,President, Vice President and the Speaker.

ARTICLE 23
FINANCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY
1. Source of Funds
The source of MUHASSO funds shall be

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 a) Students’ contributions.
b) Gifts.
c) Fund raising.
d) Any money appropriated by the University.
e) Any kind of investment owned and conducted by MUHASSO.

2. Accountability for MUHASSO Resources and Property

(a) The Minister responsible for finance shall be the in-charge for the
collection and administration of all MUHASSO funds.
(b) The Minister responsible for finance shall deposit all funds collected to MUHASSO
accountant within twenty-four hours after the collection.
(c) The Minister responsible for finance shall prepare and issue monthly financial
reports to all MUHASSO organs not less than two times in every semester.
(d) There shall be annual audit report of MUHASSO accounts by the Chief Internal
Auditor of the University.
(e) For the avoidance of doubts, financial matters shall be governed by MUHASSO
Financial Regulations as issued from time to time by the USRC.
(f) There shall be an annual subscription fee to be paid by every member of MUHASSO.

ARTICLE 24
AMENDMENT OF THE CONSTITUTION
1. This Constitution may be amended by two thirds majority of the USRC members, provided
that the minister responsible for constitutional affairs shall prepare the proposed
constitutional amendment provided that the process of amending the Constitution shall be
governed by other rules and regulations of the University.
2. The USRC shall form a committee to publicize the proposed constitutional amendment for
collection of students’ views, comments or propositions.
3. The USRC Committee, after collection of the students’ propositions, together with the
proposed constitutional amendments shall submit the propositions to the USRC for
deliberation.
4. The USRC will, after deliberation, make such further amendments, additions, or corrections
to the submitted amendments as they deem appropriate.

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5. For the purpose of amending this constitution, a dully constituted meeting shall be two
thirds of all the USRC and the decision shall be by two thirds majority of the members who
are present and vote.

ARTICLE 25
MISCELLANEOUS
1. Student Baraza
a) There is hereby established a STUDENT BARAZA which shall be chaired by
MUHASSO President at least two times per semester.
b) The function of the STUDENT BARAZA is to act as a consultative forum to the
president.
c) For avoidance of doubt, the STUDENT BARAZA is not a decision making body.
d) The STUDENTS BARAZA shall be conducted in the open discussion mode.

2. Affiliation

a) MUHASSO may affiliate or be affiliated to an external organization provided that such

affiliation must be approved by the MUHAS Council and be published (made known to)
to the student community.

b) MUHASSO shall not serve any political or religious interests of any individual or party
within and/or outside Tanzania.

c) The Dean of Students shall set down procedures to be approved by the Council for
reviewing affiliation to external organization.

3. Dean of Students
a) The Dean of Students of MUHAS shall be the administrative head of students’ affairs.
b) The Dean of Students may, in every three years, instruct the students’ organization to
review its constitution.
c) The Students organization shall, at the end of every academic year, submit its
performance report to the Dean of Students who shall submit the same to the University
Council.
d) If there is the dissolution of USRC and MUHASSO Government, all premises of
MUHASSO shall be kept under the supervision of Dean of Students.

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 Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing provision, the Dean of
Students shall not extend his/her powers to direct governance of MUHASSO.

3. Appointment of block leaders

Each Chairperson of Hall of Residence in consultation with his/her Secretary shall have
powers to appoint block leaders in their Halls of Residence for the easy running of their duties.

5. Student representation
(a) In all meetings of the University Organs, the students’ representation shall be as follows:
(i) University Council: The level of representation shall be limited to, the President
and the Prime Minister.
(ii) University Senate: The level of representation shall be limited to, the President
and the Minister responsible for academic affairs.
(iii) Students Affairs Committee (SAC): The level of representation shall be limited
to the President and Vice President.
(iv) Estates Committee: The level of representation shall be limited to the President
and the Minister responsible for buildings and maintenance
(v) SUEC: The level of representation shall be limited to, the President and the
Minister responsible for academic affairs.
(vi) School Boards: The level of representation shall be limited to school’s
Chairperson and Secretaries
(vii) Students’ Service Bureau (SSB): The level of representation shall be limited to
President, Prime Minister and the Minister responsible for Security,
Accommodation and Environment.
(b) In the absence of the President, the President shall have powers to assign the Vice
President or any other Minister to represent him/her in the meeting.
(c) In all meetings at the level of Schools, Chairperson and his/her Secretary of the
respective school shall represent the students of that school.
(d) The Students representatives to the University Organs shall prepare a written report
copied to the Dean of Students and submit it to the USRC save for the Representatives
at School level who shall publicize their report through the notice boards of their
respective schools.

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6. Special problem
In the occurrence of any special problem to any member, the MUHASSO leaders shall bring
the same to the attention of the Authority for determination.

7. All elections shall be conducted one week before presidential election.

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