Posted in Press Release
The Deputy Secretary General of the East African Community in charge of Productive and Social Sectors, Hon. Christophe Bazivamo, concluded a working visit to two EAC Institutions, the Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA) and Lake Victoria Fisheries Organization (LVFO). The Deputy Secretary General also toured the Uganda Industrial Research Institute (UIRI).
Lake Victoria Fisheries Organization
As part of the Deputy Secretary General’s familiarization tour of the EAC Institutions based in the Republic of Uganda, on the sidelines of the ongoing 5th Session of the East African Legislative Assembly sitting in Kampala, Hon. Christophe Bazivamo met the management and staff of LVFO, led by the Executive Secretary, Mr. Godfrey Mono.
Mr. Mono briefed the EAC official on the milestones LVFO has undertaken as the specialized institution of the Community with the mandate to manage fisheries and aquaculture for food security and wealth creation within the region.
Hon. Bazivamo commended the staff for the impressive institutional achievements despite the challenges the institution was facing.
In winding up his visit to LVFO, Hon. Bazivamo was taken on a tour of Kamik Fish Factory (Unifood) in Gomba village in Central Division in Jinja Municipality, which was gutted and burnt down by fire on 9th January 2017.
As a specialized and autonomous institution of the EAC, the programmes and activities of the LVFO are in line with the vision and strategy framework for the management of the Lake Victoria Basin developed by the EAC in 2003, and the Protocol for Sustainable Development of Lake Victoria. The operations of the LVFO are also guided by the Administrative Principles embedded in the EAC Treaty especially Article 7 which spells out the principle of subsidiarity whereby decisions are proposed at national level, harmonized and agreed upon at regional level and implemented at national level.
Inter-University Council for East Africa
At the Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA), Professor Alexandre Lyambabaje, informed the Deputy Secretary General that the Institution’s main mission is to promote strategic and sustainable development of higher education systems and research for supporting East Africa’s socio-economic development and regional integration.
Prof. Lyambabaje said that the demand for higher education in East Africa has been growing tremendously since the last decade with the number of public and private university institutions increasing exponentially. For example, the number of IUCEA member university institutions has grown from 33 in 2000 to 115 at present (2016/7). At the same time, IUCEA had experienced considerable institutional growth within the same period, which has led to expansion in activities.
The Executive Secretary disclosed that IUCEA was continuously setting policy strategies and developing appropriate interventions so as to ensure that it (IUCEA) remains relevant and effective in serving the Community.
Hon. Bazivamo commended Professor Alexandre Lyambabaje and his team at IUCEA for developing a resource mobilization strategy to mitigate financial challenges being faced by the EAC Institution.
Uganda Industrial Research Institute
At the Uganda Industrial Research Institute (UIRI), the Deputy Secretary General met and held discussions with the management led by the Executive Director, Prof. Charles Kwesiga. UIRI, among others, engages in applied research and other activities (such as value addition) to steer rapid industrialization in Uganda. The East African Community has recognized the Institute as a Regional Center of Excellence in Research and Development (R&D).
UIRI traces its roots to the East African Federation of the 1970, as a precursor of the then East African Research Services Organization (EARSO), which was headquartered in Nairobi and served as a regional Research and Development institution for Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. Upon collapse of the East African Federation, the EARSO was disbanded in 1977, and later transformed into the Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute. Tanzania followed with establishment of the Tanzania Industrial Research and Development Organization. It was not until 2002 that Uganda fully established and legally sanctioned UIRI.
Posted in Press Release
EALA yesterday granted Members leave of absence to introduce three key Bills. The EAC Youth Council Bill, 2017, the EAC Mining Bill, 2017 and the EAC Cross Border Trade in Professional Services Bill 2016 are set to be introduced to the House.
The EAC Youth Council Bill, 2017 is to be moved by Hon Susan Nakawuki. The Object of the Bill is to provide for the establishment of the EAC Youth Council within the EAC and to provide for its composition, objects and functions, administration finances and all matters incidental.
Members who rose in support of the motion termed the Bill timely in its quest to mainstream youth issues in all EAC development policies and programmes. The Assembly Members said it was necessary to have an institutional framework to have Youth express themselves and also have them gear up to take responsibilities in development in all sectors of the Community.
The EAC Youth Council among other things anticipates provision of unified and integrated system through which the youth may communicate and co-ordinate their ideas, and encourage them (youth) to consolidate their role in development in the economic, social, cultural and educational fields.
Hon Mukasa Mbidde also got the greenlight to introduce the EAC Cross Border Trade in Professional Services Bill, 2016. According to the mover, professionals are allowed to crisscross the region as they render their services in line with the Common Market Protocol. The Bill also takes into cognisance the exceptions with respect to movements, the threshold of the Common Market Protocol with respect to the freedoms and rights, the mutual recognitions in place as well as the Principle of variable geometry.
On his part, Hon Abdullah Mwinyi said Partner States need to harmonise their laws in line with adoption of common approaches as envisaged under Article 120. Hon AbuBakr Ogle however cited a similar Bill brought to the floor of the House by Hon Dora Byamukama. The schedules of the Common Market Protocol in their current format are also not open for all professions but certain aspects/sectors. There is need to attach the list/schedules of Professional services, the Bill seeks to cure/ harmonise across the Partner States”, he said.
At the moment, architectures and engineers are among the professions that have completed their Mutual Recognition Agreements while that of Lawyers is still pending.The House also granted leave to Hon Chris Opoka to move the EAC Mining Bill 2016. The Bill is premised on the EAC Vision 2050 and to operationalize Article 114(2)(c)(iv) of the Treaty which specifically calls for the harmonization of mining regulations to ensure environmentally friendly and sound mining practices. Additionally, the Bill is to give effect to the short term (up to 5 years from the date the vision is adopted).
The Bill is also to provide a transparent and accountable mechanisms for the reporting of mining and mineral related activities in the Community. Ultimately, this Bill is to reduce the differences in the operating environment for the mining industry among the member countries of the region.
Last week, the House also granted leave to Hon Dr Odette Nyiramilimo to introduce the EAC Sexual and Reproductive Health Bill, 2017 which shall provide for matters relating to sexual and reproductive health, to protect children, adolescents and young children from sexual abuse and other forms of exploitation and to provide for assisted reproductive technology and for related matters.
The Assembly pursuant to the provisions of Article 59 (1) of the Treaty and Rule 64 (1) of the Rules of Procedure of the Assembly can grant leave for introduction of Private Members.