The NRM’s Central Executive Committee is expected to meet before the end of the week to vet party aspirants for seats in the East African Legislative Assembly (Eala).
According to the party’s tentative programme, the vetting is scheduled for tomorrow (Thursday) but that will depend on the availability of the chairman, President Museveni. CEC, the second-highest organ of the NRM, will determine who is elected to occupy the party’s slots in the regional parliament.
After CEC vets the names, the remaining candidates will then be forwarded to the NRM caucus, which will vote through secret ballot. By close of business on Tuesday, at least 20 Eala aspirants had picked forms from the NRM electoral commission offices.
Each aspirant paid Shs 2 million to the commission and was required to get the backing of at least two NRM MPs (a seconder and nominator). In vetting the candidates, CEC is expected to look at their leadership credentials, service and loyalty to the party, and gauge their knowledge of the East African integration process.
Most of the aspirants are former MPs who were defeated in the primaries or at the last election. They are: Henry Banyenzaki (Rubanda West), Milton Muwuma (Kigulu South), Rose Akol (Bukedea Woman), Jane Frances Okili (Amuru Woman), Teopista Ssentongo (Workers), Yona Musinguzi (Ntungamo municipality), Sarah Mwebaza (Kibuku Woman) and Capt Francis Babu (Kampala Central).
There are also people who have unsuccessfully contested for Eala before such as Sarah Kagingo, a former presidential aide on social media, and Paul Musamali, who works in the office of the chief whip. Other candidates are Ambrose Murangira, running on the disability card; Maj (rtd) Pollar Awich and Anek Nancy Obita, a journalist.
All aspirants have been grouped according to regions (North, East, West, Kampala and Central). Mwebaza, the former Kibuku Woman MP, told The Observer that her experience as chairperson of the committee on East African Community Affairs in the 9th parliament will stand her in good stead.
“I am well versed with the problems of the region. I know what all the people of the five countries need,” she said on Monday.
On his part, Babu downplayed fears that his wife Margaret Zziwa being an outgoing Eala MP could affect his chances.
“I am a politician in my own right. My wife is a politician in her own right and by the way there is a couple which I will not mention,that has served this country well,” Babu said.
We have been told that in the wake of the petty squabbles that broke out amongst Uganda’s outgoing Eala MPs, President Museveni will this time be closely involved and could influence the process.
After a flurry of bitter exchanges amongst themselves, Ugandan MPs led the effort to remove Margaret Zziwa as Eala speaker, replacing her with Dan Kidega. Sources told us that Museveni later admitted in a meeting with Jakaya Kikwete, the former Tanzania president, that he had been embarrassed by the behaviour of some of Uganda’s Eala MPs.
He said “I will not let this happen again.”
Museveni has previously tried to influence the election to Eala of Jacob Oulanyah and Omara Atubo but his attempts were unsuccessful. But with CEC taking control of the process this time, the president will have greater sway.
Speaking anonymously, one of the contestants told us that he feared Museveni could handpick the ames that will be sent to the NRM caucus. Dr Tanga Odoi, the NRM electoral commission chair, told The Observer on Monday that CEC may remove candidates based on their mannerisms and other aspects, but he sounded confident that many names will make it to the party caucus.
“The matter is not cast in stone. CEC can choose six or clear all of them to contest in the caucus,” he said.
It is anticipated that NRM’s Eala aspirants will be known before February 9. That is when the official nominations for Eala by the national parliament are scheduled to start.
ekiggundu@observer.ug