This interpretation aligns with earlier caution from Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka, who had emphasized that electoral processes are only complete after the oath of office is taken.
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Uganda’s Parliament has abruptly paused preparations for a planned by-election to replace two representatives in the East African Legislative Assembly, following fresh legal guidance that questions whether the seats are actually vacant.
In a notice issued on March 28, 2026, Clerk to Parliament Adolf Mwesige Kasaija confirmed that the nomination exercise, which had been scheduled for March 30–31, would no longer proceed as planned. The process has been suspended indefinitely, leaving political parties and aspirants in limbo.
The by-election had been triggered after two legislators—James Kakooza Mutagubya and Dennis Namara—secured seats in Uganda’s 12th Parliament during the January 2026 general elections. Their victories were initially interpreted as creating vacancies in the country’s delegation to the regional assembly.
Acting on that assumption, Speaker Anita Among directed the ruling party to begin identifying replacements, setting in motion a competitive nomination process that quickly drew dozens of candidates.
However, a legal opinion from the East African Community has complicated matters. The advisory argues that the two officials technically remain members of the regional assembly until they are formally sworn into Uganda’s national Parliament, an event expected later in May.
Citing provisions of the EAC Treaty, the opinion stresses that a seat only becomes vacant once a member both wins election and assumes their new office. Moving ahead with replacements before that point, it warns, could create procedural conflicts and legal uncertainty.
This interpretation aligns with earlier caution from Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka, who had emphasized that electoral processes are only complete after the oath of office is taken.
The two affected legislators have also contested the declaration of vacancies, maintaining that they are still legitimate members of the regional body until their transition to national roles is finalized.
With no revised timeline announced, the suspension introduces uncertainty into Uganda’s representation at the regional level and highlights recurring friction between domestic political timelines and regional legal frameworks. Similar disagreements in the past have even required intervention from the East African Court of Justice, underscoring how sensitive the interpretation of the treaty can be.
For now, the fate of the by-election—and the composition of Uganda’s delegation—remains unresolved.
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