EAC parliament is not for political rejects

Jul 09, 2006

SIR — The battle for the East African Legislative Assembly elections in Arusha is heating up and many hopeful candidates are declaring their intention to contest.

SIR — The battle for the East African Legislative Assembly elections in Arusha is heating up and many hopeful candidates are declaring their intention to contest. All Uganda’s nine incumbents have expressed their interest to re-run. It is however very disturbing that the majority of the new entrants are ex-MPs who were rejected by their respective constituencies for various reasons, including being non-performers. They are now banking on their political contacts in the 8th parliament to give them a soft landing pad in Arusha. While in the 7th parliament, these opportunistic politicians cared less about what happened in Arusha as they struggled to retain their local political patronage.
Following the February elections they waited patiently for the ministerial appointments and when they didn’t make it, they are now scampering for the next available job, which is the East African Parliament.
It is even more perplexing when former ministers also join the race in desperation. I think this is stooping too low considering their former status.
Prominently we have former Members of Parliament like Baguma-Isoke, Margaret Zziwa, Dora Byamukama, Mike Sebbalu, Mary Amajo, Dan Kidega, Nusur Tiperu and Bernard Mulengani.
Many more may be coming, making it look like the regional parliament is the place for political rejects!
Much as any Ugandan who is qualified to be an MP is free to contest for the East African Parliament, I would like to appeal to the members of the 8th parliament to save Uganda the embarrassment of anointing people that have no vision for the East African Community but are simply looking for just another job, so as to retain their local political status.
As we lay ground for the East African political federation, let Uganda elect people that have East Africa at heart and understand what is at stake so as to consolidate the regional achievements so far made.

Jane Bitwire
Kabale

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