Finally: NRM Announces Flagbearers For Vacant East African Parliament Seats
SWIFT DAILY NEWS
By Swift Reporter
The ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) has elected lawyer Fred Bangumya Rwakaizi and Stella Kiryowa as its flagbearers for two vacant seats in the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), following an internal vote held on Sunday at the Office of the President.
According to a statement issued by the party, NRM Electoral Commission chairperson Dr. Tanga Odoi declared Rwakaizi and Kiryowa winners after they emerged victorious from a field of 36 aspirants.
Rwakaizi secured 127 votes, while Kiryowa garnered 97 votes to earn the party’s endorsement ahead of the parliamentary election for the regional legislative positions.
The election was conducted during a meeting of the NRM Parliamentary Caucus, which also convened to elect a new Caucus Executive Committee. The gathering was attended by senior party leaders, including NRM First National Vice Chairman Al-Hajj Moses Kigongo, members of the Central Executive Committee (CEC), and the NRM Secretariat led by Secretary General Richard Todwong.
The two EALA positions became vacant after Buyaga West MP Denis Namara and Central Region Older Persons MP James Kakooza resigned from the regional assembly following their election to Uganda’s 12th Parliament.
In its statement, the NRM said Rwakaizi and Kiryowa “emerged winners among the 36 aspirants in today’s by-election to replace Hon. James Kakooza and Hon. Denis Namara.”
The successful candidates will now be presented to Parliament for election to represent Uganda in the Arusha-based East African Legislative Assembly, the legislative arm of the East African Community responsible for debating and enacting laws that advance regional integration.
The outcome was welcomed by the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), with State Minister Balaam Barugahara congratulating the winners and describing the pressure group’s performance in the contest as encouraging.
Photos released by the NRM showed legislators taking part in the voting and registration process, with party officials supervising the exercise as the ruling party finalized its candidates for the regional assembly.
