The third East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) is to be sworn-in tomorrow, Tuesday, June 5, 2012 at the EALA Chambers in Arusha. The occasion shall see the election of a new Speaker following the end of tenure of Rt. Hon Abdirahin Abdi. Two Members who picked and returned their nomination forms are expected to contest for the position. The Members are Hon Dora Byamukama (Uganda) and Hon Margaret Nantongo Zziwa (Uganda).
According to the Rules of Procedure (rule 7) of the Assembly on election of Speaker, the Members shall directly elect the Speaker by secret ballot from among their number on rotational basis. Once elected and sworn in, the Speaker who shall serve for a period of five years, shall proceed to administer oath to the Members.
All Partner States are entitled to nine Members totalling 45. The 7 ex-officio Members include the 5 Ministers- in- charge of the EAC Affairs from the respective Partner States, the Secretary General and the Counsel to the Community. All Partner States have recently finalised the elections of Members with twenty of the current Members returning to the august House. Rwanda returned eight of Members while United Republic of Tanzania and Kenya returned one Member each from the 2nd Assembly. Uganda on its part voted in 6 Members of the out-going Assembly. The Assembly thus has thirty two new faces.
The Members from Burundi are Hon Emerence Bucumi, Hon Hafsa Mossi, Hon Isabelle Ndahayo, Hon Leonce Ndarubagiye and Hon Dr. Martin Nduwimana. Others are Hon Emmanuel Nengo, Hon Jeremie Ngendakumana, Hon Frederic Ngenzebuhoro. The Republic of Kenya is represented by Hon Nancy Abisai, Hon Abubakar Zein Abubakar, Hon Sarah Bonaya, Hon Peter Mathuki, Hon Mumbi Ngaru, Hon Saole Ole Nkanae, Hon Abubakar Ogle, Hon Joseph Kiangoi and Hon Judith Pareno. Rwanda’s representatives to the Assembly are Hon Christophe bazivamo, Hon Patricia Hajabakiga, Hon Abdulkarim harelimana, Hon Jacqueline Muhongayire, Hon Dr. James ndahiro, Hon Straton Ndikuryayo, Hon Valerie Nyirahabineza, Hon Dr Odette Nyiramilimo and Hon Pierre celesitin Rwigema. United Republic of Tanzania on its part has Hon Shy-Rose Bhanji, Hon Adam Kimbisa, Hon Angela Kizigha, Hon Bernard Murunya, Hon Abdullah Mwinyi, Hon Dr. Perprtua Nderakindo, Hon Makongoro Nyerere, Hon Issa Taslima and Hon Mariam Ussi Yahya. Uganda has Hon Dora Byamukama, Hon Dan Kidega, Hon Fred Mbidde Mukasa, Hon Bernard Mulengani, Hon Susan Nakawuki, Hon Chris Opoka-Okumu, Hon Mike Sebalu, Hon Nusura Tiperu and Hon Margaret Zziwa.
The list is completed by the EAC Ministers, the Secretary General of the EAC and the Counsel to the Community who are the Assembly’s ex-officio Members.
At its last day of Sitting on May 31, 2012, EALA adopted seven reports of the Standing Committees of the House cover the period July 2007 –June 2012. The Reports comprehensively inform the Assembly of the activities, programmes and projects carried out. The Assembly also paid tribute to outgoing Speaker, Rt. Hon Abdirahin Abdi for the excellent, focused dedicated and determined leadership exhibited during his tenure as Speaker. The Motion moved by Hon Patricia Hajabakiga wished the outgoing Speaker good health and a fruitful political career ahead and it received overwhelming support as tributes flowed freely.
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For more Information, contact: Bobi Odiko, Senior Public Relations Officer; East African Legislative Assembly; Tel: +255-27-2508240 Cell: +255 787 870945, +254-733-718036; Email: bodiko@eachq.org Web: https://www.eala.org Arusha, Tanzania
