The NRM Parliamentary Caucus has elected Stella Kiryowa and Fred Bangimya as the party's flag bearers for the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) in a closely contested internal election held on Tuesday evening at the Office of the President.
The two candidates will now require Parliament's approval before taking up seats in the regional legislative assembly, where they are expected to replace James Kakooza and Denis Namara, who resigned from EALA after being elected to Uganda's 12th Parliament.
"The NRM Parliamentary Caucus sitting at the Office of the President has this evening elected the EALA flag bearers, with Stella Kiryowa and Fred Bangimya becoming the winners in the hotly contested by-election," a caucus member said.
"The two will now need the nod of Parliament to get to EALA to replace James Kakooza and Denis Namara, who recently resigned from EALA after being elected to the National Assembly," the member added.
The caucus also elected a new leadership team to steer its internal affairs during the new parliamentary term.
Isaac Otimgiw was elected Vice Chairperson, Brenda Namukuta was elected General Secretary, Grania Hope Nakazibwe became Treasurer, while Derrick Orone was elected Publicity Secretary.
"The Caucus also voted their Vice Chairperson NRM Caucus – Isaac Otimgiw. General Secretary – Brenda Namukuta. Treasurer – Grania Hope Nakazibwe. Publicity Secretary – Orone Derrick," the caucus member said.
The election of Kiryowa and Bangimya, together with the appointment of the new caucus executive, marks an important step in the ruling party's efforts to strengthen its representation both within Parliament and at the East African Legislative Assembly as the 12th Parliament begins its work.
The by-election was held to fill vacant seats left after the resignations of former EALA MPs Hon. James Kakooza and Hon. Denis Namara. Prior to her election as a flag bearer, Kiryowa built her background working within the President's Office.
