By Tracy Acen Oiko
POLITICS
Uganda’s representation to EALA has become so heavily a play field of the dominant ruling NRM members, opposition candidates and one slot for independent candidates in the recent years.
Yet, Thursday’s EALA 2022/27 polls at Parliament, a series of elected independent candidates suggests that the lines between two political and independents could soon close.
On Thursday over 400 members of parliament gathered at Parliament to vote the nine MPs to represent Uganda at the Arusha based EALA parliament.
Of the 28 contestants, only nine candidates were declared duly elected legislators by the dusk.
They are six incumbents of the NRM party, two independents and one MP from the opposition shade of government.
The 9 candidates with the highest number of votes, and who become Uganda’s representatives are NRM’s Rose Akol (422), Namara Dennis (415), Kakooza James (405), George Odongo (403), Musamali Paul (401) and Mugenyi Mary (367). Independent candidates; Veronica Kadogo (383), Amongin Jacquiline (338); and DP’s Gerald Siranda (233).
Election of the 2 independent candidates leaves opposition parties like FDC, JEEMA and UPC losing slots at the Arusha parliament.
Democratic Party candidate, Gerald Siranda got a sympathetic vote following a corporation agreement that was signed between president Museveni and DP president general, Nobert Mao.
Although Museveni and the NRM Caucasus had said they would support their incumbents and DP and UPC candidates; Gerald Siranda and Ebil Fred respectively, the legislators have not heeded to these instructions. They instead voted in favour of independents kicking out Ebil.
EALA is the legislative organ of the East African Community (EAC) established by Article 9(1) (1) of The Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community (1999).
The regional Assembly consists of members elected from outside the national parliaments of the six partner states including Uganda, Kenya, Burundi, Rwanda, Tanzania and South Sudan. Each member state elects 9 members to the EALA through their respective National Assemblies and the EAC Treaty requires that members should represent the diversity of views present in their own National Assemblies and also that their selection meets certain criteria for gender balance.
The membership of EALA currently stands at 62 and 8 ex-officio members including the Minister responsible for regional co-operation from each Member State and the Secretary-General and the Counsel to the Community.
In a tweet, the RT. Hon. Speaker of the Ugandan Parliament sent a congratulatory message to the newly elected and urged them to be representatives of Uganda and not political parties or shades of opinion.
On behalf of @Parliament_Ug, I congratulate all the 9 candidates elected to @EA_Bunge.I urge them to be representatives of Uganda and not political parties or shades of opinion. I wish all of them good luck in service of our country. pic.twitter.com/0EJnlG3fPB
— Anita Annet Among (@AnitahAmong) September 29, 2022
