EDITOR
Sheema District Woman Member of Parliament, Rose Mary Nyakikongoro, has declared her intention to contest for a seat in the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) in an upcoming by-election.
Nyakikongoro’s bid comes after she lost in the recent parliamentary elections for the Sheema District Woman MP seat and follows the vacancy of two of the nine EALA positions, which became available when members James Kakooza and Dennis Namara were elected to Uganda’s 12th Parliament. Kakooza represents elderly persons from the central region, while Namara represents Buyaga West County.
Speaking about her candidacy, Nyakikongoro emphasized her commitment to promoting the domestication of EALA policies and legislation, noting that many regional laws are not fully implemented at the national level to benefit local communities.
“If elected to EALA, I will lobby heads of state and national parliaments to support and implement laws passed at the East African Legislative Community,” she said.
Nyakikongoro also highlighted her focus on regional integration, vowing to push for the removal of non-tariff barriers that hinder the free movement of people across East African countries. She expressed concern over the continued requirement of visas in some member states despite the existence of the East African Community.
In addition, she pledged to advocate for the establishment of a regional standby army to respond swiftly in situations that threaten peace and stability within the East African region.
