A man from Kachanga landing site on Funve Island, Mazinga Sub County has declared interest to contest, replacing fallen Kalangala Woman Representative Helen Nakimuli.
Paulson Kyazze, a rice grower at Kachanga landing site told this news website that he has already consulted a number of his friends and confidants and believes he is better suited to replace Nakimuli.
Nakimuli met her demise earlier this moth while at Alexandra Health Center along Yusuf Lule road in Kampala. She was buried at her ancestral home in Luwero on Thursday.
Now, Kyazze who is barely known even in Mazinga Sub County told this website that even though the position has severally been occupied by women, it is not confined for only female human beings.
“We need to first interpret the law and see whether a Woman representative necesarily calls for only female candidates,” Kyazze said.
Article 78(1)(b) of the Constitution states that there shall be one woman representative in Parliament for every district or city.
It also states that; There shall be the following representatives of special interest groups in Parliament for the purposes of article 78(1)(c) of the Constitution!
(a) for the Uganda Peoples Defence Forces there shall be ten representatives at least two of whom shall be women;
(b) for workers there shall be five representatives at least one of whom shall be a woman;
(c) for the youth there shall be five representatives at least one of whom shall be a woman; and (d) for persons with disabilities, there shall be five representatives, at least one of whom shall be a woman.
“In accordance with article 78(2) of the Constitution, Parliament shall review the representation under article 78(1)(b) and (c) of the Constitution and may by resolution supported by not less than two thirds of all members of Parliament, retain, increase or abolish any such representation.” The constitution further reads.
The Electoral Commission is expected to decide on the matter. Julius Mucunguzi, the spokesperson of the Electoral Commission was not available for a comment on the matter.
In 2014, Constitutional Lawyer Magelah Peter Gwayaka, while at the Aftrican Center for Media Excellence – ACME, said the constitutional court needs to make a decision on the matter not to deprive legally accepted candidates from contesting.
Fourteen other candidates, including predecessor Idah Nabayiga, Youthful Jesca Nassiwa and Nagawa Hellen Flavia are also expressed interest.
Kalangala Town Council leader Irene Nakanwagi and Islanders Betty Nalujja, Nakigozi Roy Dembe also expressed interest in the same position.
