James Kakooza, one of Uganda’s representatives to the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), has dismissed a letter by the speaker calling for a fresh election before the expiry of his term.
Kakooza told journalists at Parliament that the letter was flawed and could not stand.
“I call this letter erroneous because the legitimate processes for the election of EALA members of parliament are well stipulated under regional laws,” Kakooza said.
He criticised the speaker of EALA, Joseph Ntakirutimana, saying the directive was procedurally wrong and open to challenge in courts of law.
Kakooza pointed to inconsistencies in the communication, noting that the letter was dated the 15th, yet he was elected on the 2nd of the same month, which he said created doubt and a lack of clarity.
“It is wrong to implement a decision when the letter itself is faulty. This opens the matter to litigation and raises questions about the author of the decision,” he said.
He added that he had not yet fully assumed office as MP for the Elderly for the central region, and he is still an MP in the EALA.
It is based on this letter that the NRM has announced it will conduct elections to fill two slots currently occupied by members who were elected to Uganda’s 12th Parliament.
These include Kakooza and Dennis Namara, who was elected Buyaga West MP.
Kakooza was elected to the regional parliament to replace the late Mathias Kasamba, who died of COVID-19.
EALA, which sits in Arusha, Tanzania, is a 63-member body responsible for oversight, policy scrutiny, and budgetary functions within the East African Community.
The assembly also handles regional representation, debates on regional issues, and advisory and committee work aimed at strengthening integration, cooperation, and accountability among member states.
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