Fred Bangumya Rwakaizi (3rd Right), won the NRM party ticket to run for EALA
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I The two highly coveted East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) seats are now firmly within the National Resistance Movement’s (NRM) grasp after the ruling party elected Fred Bangumya Rwakaizi and Stella Kiryowa as its official flag bearers, positioning them as overwhelming favourites to win when Parliament convenes to fill Uganda’s two vacant positions in the regional assembly.
The duo emerged victorious in a competitive internal by-election held on Sunday, July 5, during a meeting of the NRM Parliamentary Caucus at the Office of the President, defeating 34 other contenders in a race that attracted some of the party’s most seasoned politicians and professionals.
Their victory effectively places them on course to become Uganda’s newest representatives to the East African Legislative Assembly, given the NRM’s numerical dominance in Parliament, where the final election will be conducted.
According to results declared by NRM Electoral Commission chairperson Dr. Tanga Odoi, Bangumya secured the first slot after polling 127 votes, representing 22.2 percent of the ballots cast. Kiryowa won the second slot with 99 votes, equivalent to 17.3 percent.
They finished well ahead of their closest challengers in the crowded field.
Juma Witonze came third with 81 votes, representing 14.1 percent, while Davis Akampurira and Godfrey Ssubi Kiwanda tied after each obtaining 53 votes, equivalent to 9.2 percent. Phiona Rwandarugali followed with 50 votes, or 8.7 percent.
Other candidates trailed significantly, with Emmanuel Babu Buhaburwa receiving 20 votes, Beatrice Karungi Balya polling 15 votes and Ronald Musoke Mivule securing 14 votes. Three ballots were declared invalid.
In total, 573 votes were cast during the internal election, which was conducted alongside elections for the NRM Parliamentary Caucus executive committee.
Although the internal contest attracted strong competition from 36 candidates, political observers believe the more consequential hurdle has already been crossed.
The next stage involves Parliament electing Uganda’s representatives to EALA, a process in which Members of Parliament cast votes to fill the vacant regional seats. However, with the NRM commanding a comfortable majority in the House, Bangumya and Kiryowa are widely expected to secure the required votes with relative ease.
The ruling party’s numerical strength has historically enabled it to determine the outcome of such elections, especially where candidates emerge with official party endorsement following competitive internal processes.
The two vacancies arose after former NRM EALA legislators Denis Namara and James Kakooza resigned from the regional assembly upon winning election to Uganda’s 12th Parliament during the January 2026 general elections.
Under the laws governing the East African Legislative Assembly, members cannot simultaneously serve in a national parliament and the regional legislature, necessitating fresh elections to fill the vacant seats for the remainder of the current EALA term.
The by-election also marked the conclusion of a process that had encountered legal and procedural hurdles earlier this year.
The NRM Electoral Commission initially launched the replacement exercise in March 2026 but suspended it following concerns regarding the legality of declaring vacancies before the affected legislators had formally vacated their EALA positions after assuming office in Uganda’s Parliament.
Following resolution of those issues, the party reopened the process at the end of June and invited fresh expressions of interest.
A total of 43 aspirants initially applied to contest for the two positions, underscoring the prestige associated with serving in the regional legislative assembly.
The party’s Central Executive Committee (CEC), chaired by President Yoweri Museveni, subsequently vetted the applicants and trimmed the list to the final candidates who faced the Parliamentary Caucus.
The decisive victory by Bangumya and Kiryowa now leaves only the formal parliamentary election before they assume office.
If elected, the two will complete the remainder of the current EALA term, which expires in December 2027.
Their anticipated election would also reinforce the NRM’s influence within the East African Legislative Assembly, where Uganda is represented alongside legislators from other East African Community partner states.
EALA plays a central role in debating and passing regional legislation, scrutinising the implementation of East African Community programmes and advancing integration among member countries.
Given the NRM’s commanding majority in Parliament and the party’s tradition of rallying behind officially endorsed candidates, there appears to be little doubt that Bangumya and Kiryowa will secure the final parliamentary endorsement.
Unless an unexpected political development alters the arithmetic in the House, the two are poised to become Uganda’s newest representatives in Arusha, completing a process that began with intense internal competition but now appears headed for a predictable conclusion in Parliament.
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