Members of Parliament have been recalled from their short recess to participate in the election of two representatives to fill vacant slots in the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA).
The vacancies arose after Dennis Namara and James Kakooza were elected as Members of Parliament in the recently concluded parliamentary elections, thereby vacating their EALA positions.
In a letter dated March 23, 2026, the Clerk to Parliament Adolf Mwesigye recalled legislators to attend a plenary sitting scheduled for Thursday to elect new representatives.
The letter was copied to Speaker of Parliament Anita Among, Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa, Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, Leader of the Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi, Government Chief Whip Hamson Obua and Opposition Chief Whip John Baptist Nambeshe.
The recall follows a letter from the Speaker of the East African Legislative Assembly Joseph Ntakirutimana, who notified the Speaker of Uganda’s Parliament about the vacant positions after the election of Namara and Kakooza to Uganda’s Parliament.
The communication referenced Article 51(c) of the East African Community Treaty, which deals with the tenure of office for elected members of EALA.
The provision states that an elected member shall vacate office if they are appointed as a minister or deputy minister, or if they become a member of the national parliament of their partner state.
The letter further indicated that elections to fill the vacant positions should be conducted before the end of this month.
It also notes that elected members of the Assembly generally hold office for five years and are eligible for one additional term.
However, the upcoming plenary session follows disagreements from a section of EALA representatives from Uganda and South Sudan, who have raised concerns about the manner in which the Speaker of the Assembly handled the matter, citing alleged violations of Article 51(a) and 51(c) of the East African Community Treaty.
Parliament is now expected to convene on Thursday to elect the two new representatives to the regional legislative assembly.
