The speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga, has appointed a 20-member team of members of Parliament to vet at least 48 nominees who have expressed interest in joining the East African Legislative Assembly (Eala).
Ntungamo Woman MP Beatrice Rwakimari will lead the committee, which has up to February 20 to present a report of its findings to the House. The constitution of the vetting team comes after the clerk to Parliament, Jane Kibirige, completed receiving all Eala nomination forms on Friday.
Kadaga yesterday also issued the terms of reference for the vetting committee, which include ensuring that a nominee who qualifies to be elected as an Eala MP must possesse an A-level certificate or its equivalent, is a registered voter, is a citizen of Uganda, is not a cultural or traditional leader and is not a minister in Uganda.
The nominee should not be a serving officer in East African Community (EAC), has not been convicted for bankruptcy, has not been imprisoned for more than nine months or serving a death sentence.
Kadaga said any officer who works in government must have resigned at least 90 days before nomination day, while the nominees should also have proven experience and interest in consolidating and furthering the aims of the community.
Other members of the committee are Rose Mutonyi (Bubulo West), Rose Ayaka (Maracha), Jessica Ababiku (Adjumani), Moses Bildard Adome (Jie), Sam Lyomoki (Workers), Mwine Mpaka (Western Youth), and Safia Nalule Jjuuko (PWDs National).
The rest are Florence Namayanja (Bukoto East), Wilson Nokrach (PWDs Northern), Emmanuel Ongientho (Jonam), Onegiu Biyika (Ora), Rukia Chekamondo (Kapchorwa), Geoffrey Macho (Busia Municipality), Santa Alum (Apac), Aol Betty Ochan (Gulu), Moses Balyeku (Jinja West), Alex Mungoma (Bulambuli), John Bosco Ikojo (Bukedea) and Maureen Osoru (Arua).
Kadaga has also directed the verification committee to ascertain that all political party nominees have been endorsed by their respective secretary generals.
Clerk to Parliament Kibirige has already told all MPs to suspend inland or external travels to pave way for the election of Uganda’s nine Eala representatives on February 28.
The NRM has endorsed Paul Musamali, Rose Akol, Mary Mugyenyi, Mathias Kasamba, Denis Namara and George Odongo. DP and UPC have fronted Fred Mukasa Mbidde and Chris Opoka respectively.
Some of the 38 Independents include Rachael Mpirirwe, Joseph Kazura, Charles Mwanje, Gerald Werikhe, Kennedy Oluma, Godfrey Ssali, Twaha Ibanda and Jackline Nassanga.
Incumbent Eala MP Susan Nakawuki will also fight to retain her seat with former Moroto county MP Benson Obua Ogwal, former Butambala Woman MP Mariam Nalubega and Godfrey Ssali.
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