Parliament has suspended nomination of candidates for EALA MP seats.
Parliament of Uganda has March 30 and March 31 as the date for nomination of candidates and April 15, 2026, as the date for the by-election to elect two MPs to regional parliament East African Legislative Assembly (Eala). The two will fill positions left vacant by Dennis Namara and James Kakooza Mutagubya.
Namara and Kakooza were elected to Uganda’s 12th Parliament in January 2026. Kakooza will represent the older persons of central Uganda (Buganda) while Namara will represent Buyaga West.
On March 17, Eala Speaker the Joseph Ntakirutimana wrote to speaker of Uganda’s parliament Anita Annet Among informing her of the need to replace Kakooza and Namara.
“In accordance with Article 51(3) of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community and Sections 8 and 9 of the East African Legislative Assembly Elections Act, 2012, I hereby notify you as follows,” wrote Ntakirutimana.
“That the election of Dennis Namara and Kakooza James Mutagubya to the Parliament of the Republic of Uganda has created vacancies in the membership of the East African Legislative Assembly. That the Parliament of the Republic of Uganda is required to conduct a by-election within 90 days to elect eligible persons to serve the remaining term of the Hon Dennis Namara and the Hon Kakooza James Mutagubya, which expires in December 2027.”
Kakooza and Namara belonged to the NRM. Other NRM MPs in Eala are: Rose Akol, George Odongo, Paul Musamali, and Mary Mugyenyi.
When the matter of the by-election came up in Parliament on March 26, Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka asked for more time to study the letter addressed to the Ugandan Parliament on the bye-lection.
Leader of Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi advised Parliament to halt the process pending the Attorney General’s advice.
On Saturday, March 28, 2026, Parliament issued a clarification on by-election for Uganda’s representatives to the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA).
“Notice is hereby given that nomination of members for the by-election of Uganda’s representatives to the East African Legislative Assembly earlier scheduled for March 30 and March 31st 2026 has been suspended until further notice,” wrote clerk to parliament Adolf Mwesige Kasaija.
At least 38 NRM politicians, including legislators defeated in this year’s parliamentary elections, have been nominated by the NRM electoral commission. (See their names Here).
