While the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) is almost guaranteed six of the nine slots in the East African Legislative Assembly (Eala), the three opposition parties in Parliament must jockey for two slots.

The Independents are guaranteed the other slot under Article 50 (1) of the East African Community treaty, which encourages all parties and shades of opinion represented in Parliament to agree on how to share the nine slots.

The Observer has learnt that Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) president, Rtd Major General Mugisha Muntu, met his Democratic Party (DP) counterpart, Norbert Mao, at Parliament on Thursday last week to agree to front their strongest candidates.

According to a source familiar with the meeting, which  took place in the office of the Leader of Opposition in Parliament, Winnie Kiiza, who Mao also met separately, Muntu reportedly warmed up to the idea of FDC, DP and UPC meeting to discuss how the opposition bloc can work together.

“Yes, he hinted about this matter but it was not extensively discussed during this meeting,” the source who declined to be named told The Observer.

The final parliamentary vote is scheduled for February 28.

GAME OF NUMBERS

FDC has fronted former Kaberamaido Woman MP, Florence Ibi Ekwau, who won the FDC nomination race, and Ingrid Turinawe, FDC’s Secretary for Mobilization, who was runner-up. Ekwau’s name was presented to parliament by Muntu while surprisingly Turinawe’s name was presented by FDC secretary general, Nathan Nandala Mafabi.

UPC, on the other hand, has fronted Chris Opoka and DP Fred Mukasa Mbidde, both Eala incumbents seeking a second term. Any consensus talks could focus on the three parties backing two aspirants, if they hold out any hope of snapping up the only two slots available for the opposition.

Interviewed at the weekend, Mao confirmed meeting Muntu but dampened hopes for consensus. Mao said it is a little too late for any talks on the opposition fronting two candidates. He said such consensus talks should have started months ago, initiated by the opposition leadership in Parliament.

“You cannot wait until elections are ten days away and then you talk about consensus. I don’t think there will be consensus on this. Right now, the rules that operate don’t talk about numbers. Apart from the Independents who are assured of a slot, the rest must be subjected to a vote,” Mao said.

In an interview, UPC president, Jimmy Akena, said the opposition will keep losing out on opportunities like Eala if it doesn’t work out a long-term strategy of cooperation.

He said the opposition could have held consensus meetings within the auspices of Inter-Party Organisation for Dialogue (IPOD), a platform that brings together all political parties represented in Parliament.

“If we keep the door open, these issues can be sorted out well ahead of time. Right now, calls for consensus fall more on firefighting and trying to resolve a crisis. We should have long-term goals, which in effect will breed cross-party communication. IPOD is one such platform,” Akena told The Observer, insisting that the party’s candidate, Opoka, is their sole business in the elections.

FDC CHANCES

The FDC has come under sharp criticism for presenting  two candidates. While this is not unique, given that in 2006, the party sent Muntu and Wandera Ogalo to the regional assembly, some of the opposition parties view the duo nomination this time round as a blooper for FDC’s chances.

Mao reminded FDC that when Uganda ushered in the multiparty dispensation, the NRM party presented seven candidates while FDC took up two slots, leaving out DP, Justice Forum, UPC and Conservative Party (CP). In his opinion, if FDC stands a chance in the parliamentary vote, it should withdraw one of its candidates.

“First of all, nominating two candidates, instead of the initial one is a sign of disunity. Let them withdraw one of them, particularly Ms Turinawe who is already viewed as unpopular within the electorate. Ibi on the other hand has higher chances of giving DP and UPC candidates a run for their money,” Mao said.

He said the other near impossible option would be to engage NRM to give up one of its seats. NRM’s secretary general, Justine Lumumba, who presented the six party candidates on Thursday to Parliament, said the slots given to her party are actually not enough.

“We have the biggest number of members in Parliament.  We have two sides, government and opposition. How do they determine the numbers? It is due to numerical strength. There is no fairness in having six slots only,” Lumumba told The Observer.  

GUIDELINES

Parliament last week released the roadmap for the Eala elections. On Tuesday this week, the speaker will appoint a verification committee, which will vet the aspirants on Wednesday.

On February 20, the committee will submit names of all verified aspirants to the clerk to Parliament and on the same day, the names will be displayed. On February 28, Parliament will vote for the nine Eala candidates, whose names will thereafter be published in the Uganda Gazette and later forwarded to the Clerk to Eala on March 6.

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