Democratic Party National Executive Committee is yet to meet and scrutinize applications for candidates vying to represent the party in the East African Legislative Assembly. Mathias Nsubuga, the DP secretary general says that he has already received applications from six people showing interest in the seat.
They include Anselm Sebuguzi Anslem, an Engineer, Kakande Kenneth Paul, DP acting publicity secretary, Vincent Paul Mayanja, deputy secretary general, Francis Katabalwa a lawyer, Fred Dennis Mukasa Mbidde, DP legal advisor and former MP Herman Bujumba. Nsubuga says the Executive committee is yet to sit and go through the applications after which the name will be forwarded to Parliament.
//Cue in: NEC is yet to sit…”
Cue out:… our constituency is Parliament.”//
He also says the party is waiting for Parliament to amend its rules and procedure on electing EALA members of parliament. Nsubuga says they need guidance on whether a name will be suggested by Parliament or for the party to choose its own candidate.
//Cue in: We don’t know whether…”
Cue out:… have to be guided.”//
Last year the East African Court of Justice ruled that no elections of Uganda representatives to the East African Legislative Assembly should take place until rules followed in the election process are amended. The court slammed an injunction against the Attorney General of Uganda, East Africa Community Secretary General and EALA not to allow new Ugandan MPs to take oath should election be held on March 1 2012.
This is after DP sought an injunction on the election of Ugandan members to the Assembly, arguing that the rules and procedures of the Parliament of Uganda 2006, on election of members to the EALA do not conform to article 50 of the treaty of establishment of the East African Community. DP argues that if the rule on a party’s numerical strength in Parliament remains unchanged it will not have a chance of sending a representative to the EALA in the upcoming elections.
