Sheema
Rose Mary Nyakikongoro, the Sheema District Woman Member of Parliament, has declared her intention to contest for a seat in the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) as Uganda prepares to nominate its nine representatives to the regional parliament.
Nyakikongoro, who lost in the National Resistance Movement (NRM) primaries to Adrine Katusiime Mwebesa, said her bid for EALA is aimed at strengthening Uganda's voice within the East African Community (EAC) and advancing deeper regional integration.
"I believe my experience in national legislation and regional advocacy positions me well to serve our people at EALA," she said.
Regional agenda
Speaking to journalists on Wednesday, Nyakikongoro said her priorities at the regional level will include strengthening the Customs Union and Common Market, addressing non-tariff trade barriers, and promoting the free movement of people, labour, and capital across partner states.
"East Africa must work as one market, one people, one future," she said.
She pledged to advocate for regional youth employment policies, cross-border innovation and technology hubs, and mutual recognition of academic qualifications among member states.
On trade and industrialisation, Nyakikongoro emphasised the need to boost regional manufacturing, promote value addition in agriculture, and support small-scale cross-border traders, especially women.
"We must export finished products, not raw materials," she noted.
She also underscored the importance of peace and stability in attracting investment and pledged support for joint regional security frameworks and diplomatic conflict resolution mechanisms.
What is EALA?
The East African Legislative Assembly is the legislative arm of the East African Community, established under the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community.
EALA comprises nine elected members from each partner state—Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda—in addition to ex-officio members. Members serve five-year terms and are eligible for re-election once. The Assembly enacts regional laws, debates and approves the EAC budget, oversees Community institutions, monitors the implementation of the Treaty, and liaises with national parliaments.
Nyakikongoro first entered Parliament in 2011 as the pioneer Woman Representative for Sheema District. She served in the Ninth Parliament, lost her seat in a subsequent election, and returned in 2021 on the NRM ticket.
She previously served for five years as a commissioner on the Judicial Service Commission.
Her legislative focus has centred on gender equity, rural development, and women's economic empowerment.
Some residents in Sheema District welcomed her bid, citing her legislative experience.
"Her leadership on gender and development issues will strengthen Uganda's representation at EALA," said Ali Lukyamuzi, a resident of Kakindo Town.
Uganda's Parliament is expected to vet candidates and elect the country's nine representatives, whose names will then be forwarded to the EAC Secretariat ahead of the next Assembly session.
Torch Media Africa
