RT HON KIDEGA ELECTED SPEAKER OF EALA: Undertakes to reconstruct EALA and take it to the next level

 New EALA Speaker Rt. Hon Dan Kidega

 Rt. Hon Kidega is congratulated by Hon Chris Opoka Okumu

Rt. Hon Kidega been sworn in by the Deputy Clerk Obatre Lumumba

The East African Legislative Assembly sitting in Arusha, Tanzania, has this afternoon elected Rt Hon Dan Fred Kidega as Speaker. Rt. Hon Kidega becomes the fourth Speaker of EALA, replacing Rt. Hon Margaret Nantongo Zziwa who was removed from Office on Wednesday this week.

Rt. Hon Kidega was elected unopposed after his main contender, Hon Chris Opoka- Okumu stepped down.   The two were the only ones validly nominated. 

At exactly 3.56 pm, the Clerk to the Assembly declared Rt. Hon Dan Kidega duly elected and proceeded to administer the oath of the Office of the Speaker.

In his acceptance speech, the new Speaker pledged to uphold the dignity of the House at all times and to apply the Rules without fear or favour.

"You will note as a House, we have a big and challenging task ahead of us to legislate and represent a Community whose activities and Membership is expanding fast," Rt. Hon Kidega said.  

 

" I have no doubt we shall deliver.  I will pick up from where my predecessors left and continue to promote the good ideals of our mandate of widening and deepening the integration process.  In doing so, I will give the majority their way but respect and protect the rights of the minorities at all times" Rt. Hon Kidega added.

 Rt Hon Kidega, 41, is serving as a Member of Parliament of East African Legislation Assembly for a second stint having been a Member in the 2^nd EALA (2007-2012). He has prior, been a Member of Parliament in Uganda for a period of five (5) years (2001-2006) representing the youth. Rt. Hon Kidega has been active in NRM politics and was a member of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni's national campaign taskforce in 2001, and the Party's National Executive Committee (NEC) member.

 Rt. Hon Kidega has also worked as a Private Secretary to the Vice President of the Republic of Uganda. Prior to joining legislative work, he was a youth leader at different levels; including being Chairman of the National Youth Council (NYC), National Representative to the Commonwealth Youth Forum (African Region). Rt. Hon Kidega is remembered in his days in school as a strong student activist.

 The Speaker is an entrepreneur and has been engaged in the struggle against HIV/AIDS and Women Empowerment in Uganda. Rt. Hon Kidega obtained his first degree in Business Administration from Uganda Christian University.  He holds a Master of Science Degree in International Trade Policy and Trade law. He is also a Diploma holder in Bio-Chemistry.