NRM yet to set date for vetting nominated EALA candidates

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The ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) has nominated 39 candidates to contest for the country’s two vacant seats in the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), but the party has yet to set a date for vetting them.

According to Dr Tanga Odoi, NRM electoral commission chairman, the nominations began on Monday this week and closed on Wednesday.

According to a source within the commission, the list of nominated candidates will be forwarded to the NRM parliamentary caucus for vetting and final approval of the party flagbearers.

"The chairman of the party is yet to inform us when the nominated EALA [candidates] will be vetted and to fix a programme for vetting the candidates," Odoi said on Tuesday.

The clarification comes ahead of a scheduled NRM parliamentary caucus meeting, which many had expected to include discussions on the EALA nominations. Odoi, however, stated that the caucus will focus on reviewing the national budget.

One of the candidates, Godfrey Kiwanda, said the uncertainty has left nominees in limbo.

"I have looked at the programme for tomorrow’s caucus meeting, and I have not seen anything to do with EALA elections. We have not received any communication from the party regarding our vetting or the process ahead," he said.

NRM, which has put forward over 30 candidates for the upcoming EALA elections, is expected to conduct a rigorous vetting process before the caucus approves its final candidates.

The Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among, officially communicated the vacancies to the parties, triggering the internal selection process.

The vacancies arose after former EALA representatives Denis Namara and James Kakooza Mutagubya were elected to Uganda’s 12th Parliament in January 2026, creating a constitutional requirement to replace them within 90 days.

In her notice, Among confirmed that Uganda must conduct a by-election within the legally stipulated 90-day period and directed political parties to organise internal primaries to identify suitable candidates.

The Clerk to Parliament, Adolf Mwesige, has since issued a detailed election roadmap. According to the programme, nomination of candidates for the parliamentary vote will take place on March 30 and 31, 2026, at Parliament, followed by voting by Members of Parliament on April 15, 2026.

Each EALA hopeful must be nominated by a political party and supported by at least five MPs. Candidates are also required to pay a nomination fee of sh3m and submit credentials demonstrating eligibility to serve in the regional parliament.

EALA serves as the legislative arm of the East African Community (EAC), bringing together representatives from Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Each partner state elects nine members who serve five-year terms, debating and passing laws that govern regional cooperation.

The current EALA term runs until December 2027, meaning the incoming Ugandan representatives will serve the remainder of the term once elected.

Inside political circles, the announcement of over 30 candidates has been described as a sign of growing interest in regional legislative roles, with both experienced politicians and new entrants seeking to secure the NRM ticket.