Rebecca Kadaga, the speaker of parliament has named a committee to vet candidates for the East African legislative Assembly-EALA. She disclosed the 20 member committee this morning at a meeting held to discuss the progress of the consensus building between the opposition and NRM. Members of the committee include Aboud Kitatta, Baba Diri Margaret, Babirye Veronica Kadogo, Anite Evelyn, Ssentongo Teopisa, Ekanya Geofrey, Ochola Stephen, Namayanja Florence, Kawuma Mohamed and Jacinto Ogwal.
Others are Ababiku Jessica, Ebil Fred, Cadet Benjamin, Lubogo Kenneth, Nalubega Mariam, Ninsiima Ronah, Sanjay Tanna, Atim Joy Ongom, Lakot Susan and Otada Owor Amooti. According to Kadaga the vetting committee has been tacked to ensure that the nominations of candidates conforms to article 50 of the East Africa treaty that , requires that all parties in parliament and political shades are represented.
Aspirants nominated by a political party are required to have their forms endorsed and sealed by their respective party Secretary General. They will also be required to seek the support of not less than twenty members of Parliament whose names, signatures and constituencies must be reflected on the nomination forms. Each MP is expected to nominate only nine members. Amama Mbabazi, the NRM secretary general says that his party has already complied with the new rules that saw the party primaries being conducted on Monday.
He says his party will forward the six EALA nominees for approval. The opposition is crying foul over the NRM primaries citing that there was no consensus on the number of candidates to be selected. However, Nathan Nandala Mafabi, the leader of opposition accuses the ruling party of bulldozing opposition parties in breach of the EAC treaty. Kadaga has expressed disappointment about the ongoing wrangle between NRM and opposition parties about o the allocation of EALA seats. She urges warring parties to meet and agree.
In the event that parties fail to reach an accord, the speaker as empowered in the amended rules of election will put the matter to vote. While parliament has set 30 May for elections, the house is expected to meet two days earlier to check on the progress on the consensus. They will meet on 28th May. The swearing in ceremony for the East African Legislative Assembly is slated for 4th June 2012.
