CLEARED: Dr. Gerald Siranda (2nd right) humbles himself before President Museveni, when the Head of State met IPOD Political Party Secretary Generals in State House last month
NEWS EDITOR MEDIA
WHAT we told you a couple of days ago about the National Unity Platform (NUP) party and Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), the two leading opposition Political Parties in Uganda that majority party NRM will play them syndicate for 2022-2027 EALA elections, has come to pass. The fact that their candidates will never make it to the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), this news website can authoritatively reveal that, it is now a done deal.
President Yoweri Museveni who doubles as Chairman of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), a party with the majority Members of Parliament has directed Government Chief Whip (CGW) Thomas Tayebwa and Party Secretary General (SG) Richard Todwong to start rallying all legislators behind Democratic Party Secretary General Dr. Gerald Blacks Siranda, DP’s flag bearer in the forthcoming EALA election.
Mr. Museveni has been reportedly directed that NUP and FDC be locked out, NRM MPs must vote DP and UPC candidates.
Yesterday, GCW Tayembwa held a meeting with Tayebwa at the former’s office to be briefed and given assurance that the ruling Party is officially behind his candidature, let him just concentrate on planning for the swearing in function.
In a Tweet, CGW Tayebwa wrote, “My brother Gerald Siranda thank you for checking on me last evening. Congratulations on being chosen as the DP candidate for EALA.” Tayebwa did not, however, elaborate about this meeting.
GCW Tayebwa and DP SG Siranda shake hands after their meeting on Thursday at Parliament
Our sources in the office of CGW Tayebwa told us, the meeting of the two leaders was about sealing EALA deal as ordered by the Fountain of Honour.
MUSEVENI, SIRANDA’S MEETING
On Wednesday February 9, 2022 after President Museveni met the four political party secretary generals who attended the Inter-Party Organisation Dialogue (IPOD) at State House Nakasero, Dr. Siranda asked for a few minutes to privately talk to the IPOD boss, Mr. Museveni.
For starters, Museveni is the current Chairman IPOD. That day, the IPOD meeting was attended by JEEMA’s Muhammad, UPC’s Fred Ebil, DP’s Siranda and NRM’s Richard Todwong.
In a very humble soft voice, Dr. Siranda a young man from Eastern region told Museveni that, “Your Excellency, I won DP Primaries for EALA but there is no way I can make it without your blessings. Sir, I am begging you to help me achieve my dream.”
Siranda told a listening Museveni that he is well furnished with issues of regional coperation and the need for a common maket, so if sent to Arusha, he will foster the cause.
He talked about himself as a peace loving citizen who detests activism, telling the Head of State that he will lift the Ugandan flag higher if he gets the President’s endorsement.
In his response, Museveni said he was happy to hear that DP is sending a young man he knows very well.
“NRM will support your candidature. I will direct NRM Secretary General to immediately work on that. All will be fine my son, you are a very discplined muzzukulu.” Noted the President.
We are told, there after, Museveni acted immediately and gave directives to Todwong and Tayebwa to make sure Siranda goes through undisturbed.
WHY WITH MUSEVENI’S BLESSINGS IT’S A DONE DEAL FOR DR. SIRANDA
529 members of the 11th Parliament will vote the 9 MPs to represent Uganda in the EALA for a term beginning 2022 to 2027.
Uganda, like any of the six member countries (Rwanda, Burundi, Kenya, Tanzania and South Sudan), sends 9 MPs to EALA. Of the 9 seats, ruling NRM normally gives themselves 6 seats, 1 goes to Independents and 2 shared among all the opposition parties in Uganda.
Fact is, only Parties in good books with the majority NRM win these two seats. DP and UPC are the favourites, although recently FDC is talked about as a new entrant in the club!
Siranda is comming in to fill the place that has been occupied by Hon. Fred Mukasa Mbidde whose two terms ends this year. Fact is, there is nothing that has sold Siranda like the Inter-Party Organization for Dialogue (IPOD) meetings. He has been in top leadership and this has brought him closer to leaders of different political parties more so NRM which has the majority MPs. These meetings have depicted him as a national leader who agitates for peace, good governance and dialogue.
For those who don’t know, going by the 11th Parliament composition with NRMs being the majority, there is no way an opposition member can win EALA seat without NRM endorsement.
NRM has a total of 339 MPs. Opposition are only 107 out of 529 MPs. Even if they are allowed to vote twice, opposition MPs can’t take through their candidate. So, NRM votes count and Dr. Siranda has this vote.
Now that all signs show Siranda has been endorsed by ‘baba’, it’s automatic he will sail through.
The second candidate will automatically come from UPC, a party which is officially in bed with the ruling NRM. This categorically means, FDC and NUP should not waste time fronting candidates, seats are for DP and UPC.
We think it’s not too early to congratulate Dr. Siranda upon this great achievement in life.
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