The Parliament of Uganda has formally set the dates for the nomination of candidates and the by-election to fill two vacant seats in the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), following the election of Dennis Namara and James Kakooza Mutagubya to the national parliament in January 2026.
The two lawmakers, originally part of Uganda’s nine-member delegation to the 5th EALA, assumed office as Members of Parliament on January 15, 2026, creating the vacancies.
Their current term in EALA was due to run until December 2027, meaning the by-election will fill the remaining portion of the five-year tenure.
In a circular issued by the Clerk to Parliament, Hon. Adolf Mwesige Kasaija, the Parliament outlined the roadmap for the by-election, including the nomination process, campaign period, and voting day.
Nomination of candidates will be conducted under the Rules of Procedure for the Election of Members of the East African Legislative Assembly, contained in Appendix B of Parliament’s Rules of Procedure.
Political parties or organizations represented in Parliament may nominate candidates, ensuring representation of gender and other special interest groups where feasible.
Candidates must submit written nominations to the Clerk of Parliament, including:
- A statement under oath specifying their name, educational qualifications, address, and occupation.
- A declaration under oath confirming Ugandan citizenship, eligibility for parliamentary office, non-membership of Parliament, and experience or interest in advancing the aims of the East African Community.
All nomination forms must be endorsed by the Secretary General of the nominating party or an authorized representative, and supported by signatures from at least five Members of Parliament.
A Member of Parliament may nominate no more than two candidates.
Nominations will take place on Monday, March 30, 2026, and Tuesday, March 31, 2026, from 9am to 5pm at the Parliamentary Conference Hall.
Prospective candidates can collect nomination forms from the Office of the Clerk to Parliament starting March 25, 2026.
A nomination fee of Shs3 million must be paid in cash at the office of Mr. Justus Mugisa, with evidence of payment presented at the nomination venue.
Approved candidates will campaign in Parliament, with voting scheduled for Wednesday, April 15, 2026. The elected representatives will serve out the remainder of the term for the 5th EALA, ending in December 2027.
This by-election follows the official notification from the Speaker of EALA, Joseph Ntakirutimana, who confirmed the requirement under the EALA Treaty and Elections Act, 2012, for Parliament to fill the vacancies within 90 days.
The process also aligns with instructions from the Speaker of Uganda’s Parliament, Anita Among, for the National Resistance Movement (NRM) to conduct primaries to identify party candidates.
Observers say the upcoming by-election is critical for ensuring Uganda maintains full representation in EALA, which plays a key role in regional legislation, oversight, and integration within the East African Community.