President Yoweri Museveni had his way again on Wednesday, less than 24 hours after he tried to lead his NRM party into accepting to bend the rules and vote for the party’s candidates in the East African Legislative Assembly elections based on regional basis which only caused acrimony.
Today evening, the ruling party NRM Parliamentary Caucus again convened at Entebbe State House and elected six party flag-bearers, repeating the voting exercise after registering serious chaos yesterday that ensued during tallying.
Those elected are well known Museveni allies, former minister and Nyabushozi County MP Mary Mugyenyi, the President’s diehard protégé and NRM youth league Chairman Dennis Namara, the former minister for Internal Affairs Rose Akol, former Lira Resident District Commissioner George Odongo, Paul Musamali who has been working as Chief Policy Analyst for the Office of the Government Chief Whip and former Kakuto Member of Parliament Matia Kasamba.
Among those trounced were some candidates, like Emmanuel Dombo, who had on Tuesday opted out for what they considered unfair party rules, former Nakifuma County MP Joseph Kif’omusana, the unpredictable Yona Musinguzi and his rival Henry Banyenzaki who had termed the process “flawed”, former Housing minister Babu Francis, one-time Guild Vice President of Makerere University, Lillian Aber among others.
Out of the 9 slots, NRM will take home 6 position while the remainder is to be shared amongst opposition political parties represented in Parliament and independents. Parliament will on 28th to conduct the final voting.
Senior Presidential Press Secretary Don Innocent Wanyama confirmed the final results of the activity that was presided over by the NRM EC chairman Dr Tanga Odoi who declared the results as below;
Paul Musamali (157), Rose Akol (139), George Odongo (119), Mathias Kasamba (119), Mary Mugyenyi (115) and Dennis Namara (114).
Meanwhile, Parliament has abdicated the mandate of determining the number representatives each political party should send to the regional assembly.
The director of communications and public affairs at parliament, Chris Obore, says political parties should build consensus on the matter while considering the ruling of the East African Court of Justice that called for representation from all political shades.
