Politics 26 March 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
NRM Nominates 32 Candidates for Two EALA Seats Amid Focus on Regional Trade and Integration
Uganda's ruling NRM party has selected 32 nominees to compete for two vacant East African Legislative Assembly seats after incumbents Denis Namara and James Kakooza won national parliamentary positions. Aspirants pledge to champion free trade, labor mobility, security enhancements, and deeper regional integration to drive economic growth. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/32-nominated-for-2-eala-slots-as-regional-trade-integration-take-centre-stage-5404394
The National Resistance Movement (NRM) finalized nominations on March 25, 2026, for two East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) slots vacated by Denis Namara (Buyaga County) and James Kakooza (Buganda elders), who secured seats in Uganda’s 12th Parliament.
Among the 32 nominees are prominent figures like journalist Charles Odongtho, former Miss Tourism Enid Mirembe, and others including Agasha Juliet Bashisha, Ainebyona Thomas, Akampurira Davis, Akol Vankar, and more. The full list spans professionals from media, business, and public service.
Aspirants emphasized priorities such as eliminating non-tariff barriers, enforcing free movement of goods and people, bolstering regional security via the East African Standby Force, and advancing a common currency to curb forex losses and debt.
Charles Odongtho highlighted his 25 years in journalism to communicate integration benefits and tackle border disputes, sovereignty concerns, and corruption. Fred Rwakaizi stressed empowering regional forces over UN missions and uniform free trade implementation.
James Byarugaba called for open borders, youth job mobility, open markets for industrialization, and evidence-based laws. Philemon Bwanga and Akol Vankar focused on protocol enforcement, value chains in agriculture and tourism, and resource mobilization.
Enid Mirembe aims to reduce trade barriers, promote regional value chains, and attract investments through better marketing of East African destinations. While Parliament’s Speaker Anita Among directed NRM to fill the seats, EALA rules prioritize diversity without party ring-fencing.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)