MICHAEL MPEIRWE KATUNGI, a Ugandan diplomat with the African Union, last week launched his campaign for election to the East African Legislative Assembly (Eala).
The former military officer, told Jonathan Kamoga his diplomatic experience will help him deliver.
Who is Michael Katungi?
Michael Mpeirwe Katungi is a Ugandan patriot born 39 years ago. I am happily married with a beautiful wife and three children. I have worked here in the military for some time; I have worked in diplomacy and now I am offering myself to go into the East African Legislative Assembly as an MP representing Uganda.
How long and where have you worked?
Altogether that is 17 years. In diplomacy, I have been serving as a security advisor in Tanzania, Uganda, Sudan, Ethiopia and Kenya.
What specifically inspired you to join this race?
I want to serve my people at a regional level and advocate for better policies for East Africa, fast-tracking of the East African Community union, deepening the defense and security integration of East Africa, making sure that our finances and budgets are stable, advocating for marginalized groups and uplifting them, not forgetting gender equality and empowerment.
To many ordinary Ugandans, Eala is something for elites; how do you interest Ugandans in Eala?
Eala is not a thing for elites because the representatives here are elected by the representatives of the people in the Ugandan parliament. It, therefore, cuts across. It’s not an elite club. It is a parliament that represents and legislates for all the people of East Africa and also does oversight roles.
You are a newcomer; how are you going to compete with seasoned politicians, even within NRM?
I have been a mobiliser for the NRM for some time now. So, I am not new. I am only new in elective politics but not politics in general.
NRM is the mighty party. I am coming in as a technical candidate in peace and security areas. This is where I am an expert. So, I will be a technical MP helping my other eight colleagues in this area.
What should Ugandans whom you are going to represent expect from you?
They should expect me to advocate and represent Uganda’s interests at the regional level. I will represent the county very ably, I am reliable, I am experienced and I am trained. I will be a good representative and my main emphasis will be the interest of Uganda.
What are some of the urgent issues you think Eala must address?
We need to work fast on the common market and monetary union and also increase the pace of the political federation of our peoples. These are one people but in different countries; so, we need to fast-track their integration and through this, economic integration too will be a reality.
How do you rate the performance of the EAC since its inception?
It’s doing really well but we need to increase the pace and speed. We are currently not where we are supposed to be. So, this Eala parliament has a lot to do to increase the tempo of our integration, politically and economically.