Uganda should prove her worth in EALA representation

By Rev Titus Shem Makuma

Until now the government of Uganda has not come up with a clear position on who should represent the country in the regional parliament. The problem is one; talk in the corridors of leadership is centered on party interests other than national concerns.

For this case the ruling National Resistance Movement is fighting for the biggest share of six seats, lining up 23 potential candidates, the opposition parties on the other hand, have intentionally refused to share a slice of three seats, taking the matter to East African Court of Justice for constitutional directive.

Reportedly, the leader of the opposition in parliament, Mr Nandala Mafabi, has said their lawyers have gone to the East African Court of Justice to appeal for an injunction on the final voting, until the rules are in conformity with Article 50 of the EAC Treaty which provides that various political parties in parliament, shades of opinions and special interest groups in parliament should be considered in representation to EALA.

 Their petition, if successful, could stop the anticipated June swearing-in and also disrupt the inauguration ceremony of the third East African Legislative Assembly expected in Arusha, Tanzania.

I am of the view that both the opposition and the ruling NRM should understand that this kind of political contest will not only affect the country’s reputation at the regional bloc but more so encroach on meager national resources which could have been budgeted for other national economic concerns.

There is also an element of time wasting which is a major resource in development at all levels of influence. This political scenario may present a negative impact on the legislators’ ethical positions and relationships hence, undermining their performance as a unit at the regional level.

It is possible that the elected Ugandan legislators to EALA may consciously or unconsciously carry their personal and party differences to the political frontline in Arusha, Tanzania when work kicks off.

All interested parties should bear in mind that their representation at the regional parliament is considered to be primarily national concern other than individual party interests.

To avoid this political impasse, I would suggest that the government and other stakeholders compare notes with other regional member states namely; Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi in order to establish an all inclusive democratic electoral process slated for May 30 in the Parliament conference hall.

Candidates should be considered for this high profile regional parliament on the basis of political maturity, credibility, moral ethics and patriotism, to be able to carry the national flag at the regional level. We are not looking for good noisy makers in EALA but leaders who are highly informed, balanced and are able to promote the country’s foreign policy across the regional bloc. Leaders who will focus on putting the country at a higher competitive advantage in regard to economic and political structures in the region.

Across the borders, Tanzanian parliament has set a good example among the five regional parliaments to elect their new representatives, who included four women and two candidates from the opposition parties.

In Rwanda, elections were delayed after the adoption of new law that will govern the electoral procedure of Rwanda’s representatives to the regional assembly.

In Bujumbura, elections were also supposed to be held on Tuesday but because of misunderstanding, among the candidates, the elections were postponed to a yet to be decided date. In Kenya, the elections are yet to be conducted as well.

It is said that the main issue of contention within some of the countries is the sharing of representation between ruling and opposition parties. The elections were meant to be held before April 14 among all member countries.

This kind of bickering among the regional parliaments demonstrates a mindset that in essence has kept Africa on the periphery of economic and political development. It is important for us to focus on key critical issues which need urgent intervention at the regional level in order to ensure social, economic and political reforms in the region.

Like the case of Rwanda, the Ugandan parliament should be clear on the law which will govern the electoral procedure to ensure credible representation at the regional assembly.

Pentecostal Assemblies of God, Western Regional Overseer
MA, in Leadership, Pan Africa Christian University, Nairobi, Kenya.
Phone: +256 772 652 077
Email: mtitusshem@yahoo.com; tmakuma@gmail.com