KAMPALA — Parliament has approved a 20-member verification committee to handle the by-election process for Uganda’s representatives to the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) following two vacancies at the regional assembly.
The vacancies arose after MPs James Kakooza and Denis Namara resigned from EALA after winning seats in Uganda’s National Parliament.
Presiding over Tuesday’s sitting, Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa announced the composition of the committee and directed it to expedite the verification process to enable the new representatives to assume office next week.
“The committee has been directed to process the credentials of the two nominations of Stella Kiryowa and Fred Bangumya. The new MPs need to start working as early as next week,” Tayebwa said.
The committee will be chaired by Sheema Municipality MP Dickson Kateshumbwa.
Other members include Martin Mugabi Muzaale, Ofwono Opondo, Margaret Rwabushaija, Dr Florence Akiiki, Hillary Lokwang and Sheilah Amaniyo, among others.
The committee will verify the credentials of Kiryowa and Bangumya before their names are forwarded to Parliament for election as Uganda’s representatives to EALA.
Tayebwa urged the committee to ensure the process is transparent and completed within the shortest time possible to prevent a leadership gap in Uganda’s delegation to the regional assembly.
EALA is the legislative arm of the East African Community (EAC), with Uganda entitled to nine representatives in the assembly.
