East African parliament: Uganda late as scores join race
Uganda is likely to miss the April 16 deadline set by the East African Secretariat for gazzeting names of its representatives to the regional assembly as Parliament fails to agree on its composition.
The East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) elections Bill, accented to by all except Tanzania set April 16 deadline for gazetting new names for the coming assembly, as the current one winds up.
However since the onset of the debate in Uganda’s Parliament, every party has interpreted the Treaty that forms the Community differently. And with semantics at play; Speaker Rebecca Kadaga pushed the matter further for a more comprehensive interpretation that could be binding on all parties.
Proposals by the House Rules Committee for handing six seats to the ruling NRM, since it has the majority members in Parliament, one for Independents and two seats for the official opposition party- the FDC has been rejected.
Smaller parties left out
Members argue that it leaves out the smaller parties which are represented in Parliament, contrary to what the East African Court of Justice said while it handed the DP an injunction over failure by Parliament to recognise the smaller parties.
Despite the failure to decide on its composition, already 17 people have expressed interest in contesting for the regional assembly.
All NRM incumbents are seeking re-election save for Lydia Wanyoto who has successfully served her two terms. Others are, Nusura Tiperu, Margaret Ziiwa, Mike Ssebalu, Dora Byamukama, Dan Kidega and Bernard Mulengani.
The other two incumbents from the opposition, Gen. Mugisha Muntu and Dan Ogaalo, will not tussle again, having also served already two terms.
Mr Ssebalu is the chairman of the current nine-man team in EALA and he wants to take the integration to the second stage that involves monetary union and political integration.
Another incumbent, Mr Mulengani banks on institutional memory and continuity so that what has been started with his contribution should be brought to completion. “I also agitate for the independence of all Parliaments both local and regional,” Mr Mulengani said.
By Sheila Naturinda, Daily Monitor
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