KAMPALA, UGANDA; Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Anita Among has warned candidates aspiring to represent Uganda in the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) not to engage in voter bribery activities lest they be disqualified.
Ms. Among said this while addressing journalists on the forthcoming EALA elections set to take place this Thursday, September 29, 2022, at Parliament.
Accordingly, the speaker issued a string of precautionary directives which MPs should strictly adhere to during the voting to ensure a smooth and fair process.
“Any candidate who involves him or herself in acts of bribery or other practices contrary to accepted practices shall be disqualified,” Ms Among warned adding that, “all candidates are required to conduct themselves with decorum and in respect to parliamentary practices.”
Ms. Among also urged all legislators to strictly adhere to the guidance given by the Ministry of Health in the bid to contain and tackle the deadly Ebola that was first confirmed in Mubende district which is now the epicentre of the virus with 23 people so far confirmed dead.
“As we wait for guidance from His Excellency the President in his address to the country tomorrow [Wednesday evening], I also ask all candidates to be conscious of not only the Covid-19 protocols but also what is required to keep Ebola at bay,” Among said on Tuesday afternoon.
Last week parliament nominated a total of 28 candidates vying for the EALA to occupy the only nine slots available to Uganda in the regional assembly.
Out of the nine candidates, the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) has already ringfenced six seats as the majority party in the parliament, leaving only three slots available for the opposition, of whom, the ruling party has pledged to back candidates from the Democratic Party (DP), Uganda People’s Congress (UPC), JEEMA.
Unlike other opposition political parties with representation in the 11th Parliament, the opposition wing with majority representation, the National Unity Platform (NUP) earlier this month said it will not field candidates in the said election.
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