By Maria Mariam Namala
Parliament has approved Stella Kiryowa and Fred Rwakaizi Bangumya as Uganda’s new representatives to the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), filling two vacancies that arose following the election of former EALA members James Kakooza and Dennis Namara to the 12th Parliament.
The approval followed the adoption of a report presented by the Parliamentary Verification Committee during a House sitting on Thursday, July 16, 2026, chaired by Speaker Jacob Marksons Oboth.
Presenting the report, the committee chairperson, Dicksons Kateshumbwa, said only two National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidates—Stella Kiryowa and Fred Rwakaizi Bangumya—submitted nomination papers before the July 10 deadline.
Kateshumbwa told Parliament that the committee verified the credentials of both candidates and found that they met the eligibility requirements under Article 80 of the Constitution of Uganda and Article 50 of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community.
Before the House adopted the report, Speaker Oboth invited the candidates to introduce themselves and outline their vision for serving at the regional assembly.
Addressing Members of Parliament, Kiryowa said she had grown through the corridors of Parliament and was now ready to contribute to shaping the future of the East African Community.
She noted that the focus should no longer be on whether East Africa can unite, but on building a stronger and more prosperous region for future generations.
Bangumya pledged to use his position to strengthen Uganda’s contribution to the East African Community by promoting cross-border trade and supporting the development of sustainable regional infrastructure.
Speaker Oboth ruled that since there were only two vacancies and only two duly nominated and seconded candidates, there was no need to conduct a secret ballot, and the House endorsed them unopposed.
Kiryowa and Bangumya will now join Uganda’s seven serving EALA representatives—Rose Akol Okullu, Paul Mwasa Musamali, George Stephen Odongo, Mary Mugyenyi, Gerald Blacks Siranda, Jacquiline Amongin and Veronica Babirye Kadogo—at the regional legislative assembly based in Arusha, Tanzania.