Tanzania: Some Ukawa Members in U-Turn Stance
Dodoma — AS Members of the Coalition of Defenders of People's Constitution (UKAWA) maintain that they will not attend the ongoing Constituent Assembly (CA) sessions to discuss the draft constitution, a few of them have been seen registering Reporters on CA witnessed Ms Leticia Nyerere (Special Seats - Chadema) registering at the Parliament Grounds.She refused to comment or be photographed when approached. "I don't want to comment anything. It is also illegal to take my photo without my consent," Ms Nyerere, who was trying to get away, said as photographers jostled to get a good angle of her.
Dressed in a grey suit and white and black scarf, Ms Nyerere hurriedly walked away when she spotted reporters walking towards her with a view to getting her comment. Another member who also registered for the CA session is Mr John Shibuda (Maswa West-Chadema) on Tuesday but did not attend.
Ms Clara Mwatuka (Special Seats - CUF) also registered but did not attend. There were reports that Mr Said Arfi of Chadema had also registered. However, when this reporter contacted him, he denied the claims, saying that he had arrived in Dodoma late.
When asked if he would register, he said that he has not made up his mind yet and when he does, he will make it known.
About four days before the CA resumed its duties, UKAWA, whose members who constituted Chadema, CUF and NCCR-Mageuzi, announced it will not participate in the special assembly's sessions.
According to unconfirmed reports, members who register but do not attend the sessions receive 230,000/- out of the 300,000/- daily stipend.