Following the recent success in the East African court of Justice in a matter filled and argued by the Democratic Party’s chief legal advisor, Fred Denis Mukasa Mbidde, the future for most current East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) MPs has diminished. The requirement by each party to present a candidate has a result of the court’s decision has reduced the NRM MPs number in EALA to three as opposed to their former 7 and thereby each party taking one slot each including FDC totaling to 9 as required by each partner state according to the East African Treaty.

 Accordingly, the list of candidates vying for the 9Ugandaslots in the EALA, which most parties have been keeping as a top secret has finally leaked to the press.

 The opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) has three candidates in the race so far Salaam Musumba, former MP for Busongora South, Christopher Kibazanga and former Lead of Opposition in Parliament, Prof. Ogenga Latigo.   

The Democratic Party is yet to present a candidate for the DP slot although by court order the DP chief Legal advisor Fred Denis Mukasa Mbidde seems to be enjoying an automatic right to take it up.

 Former MP Ben Wacha, who is also an FDC member, is to contest on an independent ticket. Former presidential candidate Mohammad Kibirige Mayanja is the official candidate of Jeema while former MP for Lubaga South, Suzan Nampijja is the person the CP president John Ken Lukyamuzi has fronted for EALA seat. The candidate of Uganda Peoples Congress (UPC) is city lawyer Peter Walubiri.

 The National Resistance Movement has three slots for EALA and the party has fronted former lands minister, Omara Atubo (chosen by President Museveni), Hope Mwesigye backed by prime Minister Amama Mbabazi and Former Makerere Guild President, Sara Kagingo who is also fronted by backed by Mbabazi. We have reliably learnt that the former EALA Members, Lydia Wanyoto, Dan Kidega and Mike Sebalu among others are not going to be re-fronted by their respective parties.

By Walakira Nyanzi