KAMPALA, UGANDA: The opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) has elected Mr. Harold Kaija as the party flagbearer for the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) race.
Kaija was elected on Tuesday during the party’s National Executive Committee-NEC held at its headquarters in Najjanakumbi, Kampala.
In a voting exercise was presided over by the FDC Electoral Commission chairman Boniface Toterebuka Bamwenda, Harold Kaija, who is also the FDC Deputy Secretary-General in charge of Administration garnered 27 votes while his closest rival, Dr. Joseph Tindyebwa got 15 votes. Other contenders, Mr. Wante Jamal – FDC District Chairman (Namutumba) got 14 votes, Ms. Nanyonjo Suzan, 5 votes, and Mr. Seruwuge Yassin – Former FDC MP candidate (Bukoto South) registered no vote.
Before voting by secret ballot, the candidates were given an opportunity to campaign before the electorate. Kaija says that his next task is to persuade MPs to vote him to EALA.
In the race for EALA, Kaija will vie against Dr. Gerald Siranda of the Democratic party plus other members from the ruling NRM, UPC, and NUP party that are yet to vote their flagbearers.
Each of the East African Community member countries has to send nine legislators to the Arusha-based Assembly.
In March 2017, Uganda elected nine EALA representatives. They included Christopher Okumu Opoka, Susan Nakawuki, Fred Mukasa Mbidde, Dennis Namara, Mary Mugyenyi, Steven Odong, Paul Musamali, Mathias Kasamba, and Rose Akol. However, on July 26, 2021, a by-election was conducted after the death of Kasamba. He was replaced by the former Kabula County MP, James Kakooza.
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