Speaker Job Ndugai declares Ukonga Constituency seat vacant

Dar es Salaam. National Assembly Speaker Job Ndugai has today Monday, July 30, 2018, declared the Ukonga Parliamentary seat vacant.

The Speaker confirmed to have received a resignation letter from Ukonga Member of Parliament Mr Mwita Waitara who defected to the ruling party, CCM, on Saturday.

Mr Ndugai revealed this today at the State House in Dodoma at a function during which President John Magufuli handed over 67 land allotment certificates to 67 embassies and international organizations for establishment of their offices in the city.

Mr Waitara who was serving his first term in Parliament on the ticket of opposition party, Chadema, said he had lost favour with the party’s leadership. He said he felt he would serve better in CCM, even though it is yet to be known if he will defend the seat.  

Mr Ndugai said following Mr Waitara’s defection, he automatically ceases to be the constituency’s lawmaker.

“Therefore I have informed the National Electoral Commission (NEC) for appropriate measures,” he said, of the impending by-election in the Dar es Salaam city-based constituency.

Speaking of the allotment of the land certificates, Mr Ndugai said he welcomed the diplomats to set base in Dodoma which has for many years waited for its current status.