The National Resistance Movement party has planned to strategically support a candidate or two from the opposition Uganda People’s Congress party in the coming East African Legislative Assembly election.
The move is to edge out candidates from the biggest and the official opposition party, Forum for Democratic Change, who are equally eyeing the same positions.
ChimpReports on Sunday published an exclusive story of UPC’s Chris Opoka`s name being sent to the security for vetting to gauge if he can become the Electoral Commission’s Commissioner.
We have also learnt that the vetting, looking into his local popularity will determine two things.
According to sources close to the development, if Opoka is to be found a political darling in his community and meets other qualities, he will take the Electoral Commission job. If the agents on the ground realize that his popularity is not what is expected, he will be supported to retain his seat at EALA.
EALA GAME 2017
Uganda has 9 seats in the EALA headquartered in the Tanzanian city of Arusha. The election takes place at Parliament and the unwritten custom is that NRM as the biggest party has 6 seats, the entire Opposition 2 and the Independents one seat.
The last election in 2012 was dramatic when FDC boycotted protesting the lion’s share always going to NRM. The UPC and DP immediately grabbed the chance and subsequently Chris Opoka and Fred Mukasa Mbidde ended up in Arusha.
The FDC felt betrayed by the two parties and the then Leader of Opposition in Parliament, Nandala Mafabi reacted by sacking all the UPC and DP MPs from the Shadow Cabinet.
ChimpReports understands FDC is not ready to continue with the boycott and has already within the party circles, lined up a number of candidates including former MPs, Kasiano Wadri, Alice Alaso and Geoffrey Ekanya to be candidates in the coming EALA election.
On the other side, NRM that is cocksure of its 6 slots thanks to its numerical strength at Parliament is also looking at securing for UPC a slot from the 2 seats for the entire opposition.
UPC has only 6 members at Parliament and literally cannot face FDC with 36 members unless NRM butts in.
“FDC has continued to be hostile to us and we now have a friend called UPC. Courtesy demands that we support UPC and that’s the case for EALA,” a source in NRM who asked not to be named told our reporter.
According to the plan, the NRM MPs are going to be briefed before the event and on the Election Day they will all know what to do.
“Our (NRM) members understand the party values and vision. They won’t let us down,” the same source added.
When contacted on phone, the Government Chief Whip, Ruth Nankabirwa who is currently in Morocco, told ChimpReports that the development has not yet reached her desk and she would not want to speculate.
“I cannot say anything for now. The party is yet to sit and decide on what to do,” Ms. Nankabirwa said.
Meanwhile the UPC Whip at Parliament, Santa Alum told us on phone that the importance of NRM members in the EALA elections cannot be ignored by anyone or any party.
“I am hearing it as news from you but we all know what it means when it comes to EALA elections. All MPs are important during that time and NRM has the biggest number,” Ms. Alum said.
ChimpReports also understands that the NRM is comfortable with Opoka, Mbidde and Susan Nakawuki from the Independent who is also in EALA.