The NRM leadership organ -the Central Executive Committee (CEC) has ring-fenced the vacant East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) seat for Buganda region and asked 21 out of the 26 candidates who had expressed interest to step-down .
One of the leading contestant in the race -with a disability , Ambrose Murangira said that he accepted the CEC decision but hastened to add that he will run for office in the next EALA elections as an independent .” The next EALA general elections is not very far. We will be able to make EAC an inclusive community for everyone including persons with disability ,” he said in a statement .
The remaining candidates include , Nakato kyabanji, Godfrey Kiwanda, James Kakooza, Lule Mawuya and Abasi. One of these will be elected to replace the late Matthias Kasamba.
The NRM party Chief Whip , Thomas Tayebwa in a communication said that the NRM Parliamentary caucus will meet of Friday at Kololo independence grounds to among others , elect the EALA representative and the caucus” executive committee.
Political pundits attributed the high number of contestants to the urgent desire by many political actors to draw President Yoweri Musveni’s attention for their individual selfish interests . ” Many of these ‘contestants’ have staked their Ug.shs.2M well knowing they will not be elected but at least they have a chance of receiving a call from the president to assure them about a possible political appointment. It is absurd that many Ugandans both young and old see politics as a money generating venture or employment ,” a seasoned national political observer stated .
The list forwarded to the NRM Party Central Executive Committee (CEC) by the NRM’s Electoral Commission Chairman , Dr. Tanga Odoi had included names of veteran politicians such as Prof. Mondo Kagonyera, Sarah Nkonge Muwonge,, Amongin Jacquiline, James Kakooza and Godfrey Kiwanda.
Among the leading youthful candidates were Ambrose Mulangira , Stella Kiryowa , Faridah Mayanja among others . Each of the contestant paid a non refundable fee of Uganda Shs. 2 M to fill the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) seat that fell vacant after the death of Mathias Kasamba.
it is not yet clear whether the NRM EC will refund the Ug.shs.2M which was paid by each of the candidates who have now been asked to quit the race.
