MPs Pick Candidates For EA Assembly Today

THE two-day nomination of candidates for Uganda’s representatives to the East African Legislative Assembly begin this morning at the Parliament’s South Committee room, writes John Kakande. The nomination will be presided over by the Clerk to Parliament, Mr. Aeneas Tandekwire, who is the Returning Officer. Over 20 aspirants are expected to be nominated today. Mrs. Lydia Wanyotyo-Mutende, a senior programme officer at the Population Secretariat, will be the first to be nominated at 10.00am, according to reliable Parliament sources. Women rights activist Sheila Kawamara Mishambi, Mary Nsangi Kakembo, Damiano Lubega, Medi Kaggwa and Wandera Ogalo are among the aspirants expected to be nominated today. The elections are on the basis of regions and a stiff race is expected between Elly Karuhanga and former army commander Major General Mugisha Muntu for the western region seat for the men. They were both members of the Sixth Parliament. Tandekwire announced on Friday that the elections shall take place on November 1, 2001. Candidates shall be given time to address MPs and answer questions on October 30 and 31 as part of their campaigns. The nominations end tomorrow. MPs or interested persons shall be free to inspect the nomination papers of the candidates on Wednesday and Thursday. Ends