By Charles Katabalwa,
KAMPALA
The ruling National Resistance Movement (National Resistance Movement) has released the roadmap for by-elections to fill two vacant seats in the 5th East African Legislative Assembly (East African Legislative Assembly).
The vacancies arose following the January 15, 2026 general elections, after two sitting EALA members, Dennis Namara and Kakooza James Mutagubya, successfully contested for seats in the Ugandan Parliament. Namara was elected Buyaga West MP in Kagadi District, while Kakooza now represents the elderly in the Central Region. Under the East African Community Treaty, a person cannot simultaneously hold a seat in a national parliament and the regional assembly.
Addressing the media at NRM headquarters, Kyadondo road on Monday, the party Electoral Commission chairperson, Dr. Tanga Odoi said the process of expressing interest by party members begins on Monday, March 23 and runs up to March 25, 2026.
He said successful applicants will be forwarded to the party’s Central Executive Committee for vetting before the final nominees are endorsed.
Odoi advised interested members to pay a non-refundable fee of UGX 2 million through Centenary Bank, adding that applicants must be registered voters, NRM members and meet the required minimum academic qualifications.
According to a formal notice issued by the Clerk to Parliament, Adolf Mwesige Kasaija, the nomination exercise will commence on Wednesday, March 25, 2026 with the picking of nomination forms.
The nomination period will run from Monday, March 30 to Tuesday, March 31, 2026 at the Parliamentary Conference Hall, Parliament Buildings, ahead of voting scheduled for April 15, 2026.
Successful candidates will serve the remainder of the current 5th Assembly term, which ends in December 2027.
