EAC paints Cyanika town with cross-border festival

Posted in Press Release

In a bid to promote stronger cross border interactions and community engagements, the EAC Secretariat, in collaboration with East Africa Local Governments Association (EALGA), the International Republican Institute (IRI) and the German International Development Agency (GIZ) organised a fun-filled sports and cultural festival at Cyanika town on the border of the Republics of Rwanda and Uganda over the weekend.

Following up on the recommendations of the 21st Sectoral Council of Ministers Responsible for EAC Affairs and Planning meeting in October 2014, which recommended that the activities in the concept note to declare 2015 as the year of the “East African Citizen” be implemented as sensitisation programmes; the Festival aimed at engaging ordinary citizens of the EAC Partner States about the privileges available to them, as well as providing a platform on which they can meet, share, have fun and interact as one community under the EAC.

Bringing together over 1,300 festival-goers, the town of Cyanika was painted in an array of sports, including football, volleyball and cycling, cultural expressions and artistry from Uganda and Rwanda. The Festival was graced by Mr Sam Byibeshyo, the Lord Mayor of Kisoro town, Uganda and Mr Samuel Sembagare, the Lord Mayor of Burera district-Northern Provence, Rwanda. Other attendees included government officials from the district regional offices in Kisoro, Uganda and Burera, Rwanda, police and immigration officers from the local border authorities, women and young traders.

“This is an exciting step forward for the Community in getting East Africans more engaged in the integration process”, said Mr Owora Richard Othieno, EAC’s Principal Information and Public Relations Officer. “We hope that after today, other border communities will initiate similar activities at their border points”, he said.

The year of the East African Citizen is in line with the EAC Consultative Dialogue Framework which ensures continuous dialogue between the EAC Secretariat, Organs and Institutions, Local governments Civil Society Organisations, Private Sector Organisations and other interest groups both at the national and regional level.

The Consultative Dialogue Framework is aimed at ensuring that the integration process proceeds with the involvement of the citizens of EAC Partner States and is undertaken in the context of multi-stakeholder partnerships.

Speaking at the Festival, Mr Byibeshyo expressed his gratitude to the EAC Secretariat and local governments for bringing together citizens from Uganda and Rwanda to work together and promote integration, adding that, “we will continue to support the journey that the EAC has started, and I call upon every East African to join hands and fight whatever obstacles that hinder the integration of East Africa”.

In concurrence with the Ugandan Mayor, Mr Sembagare, emphasised on the importance of East Africans to take ownership of the integration process and, “use the opportunities availed by the Common Market and the Single Customs regimes to enhance good neighbourliness and community development”.

EALA are Champs

Posted in Press Release

Finally, EALA are champs of the Inter-Parliamentary Football tournament. The Regional Assembly late Thursday put to a halt, Parliament of Uganda’s dominance in soccer, beating them 4-3 on penalties.

The regular time score ended 1-1. EALA took the lead through their striker who picked a loose ball from Wycliff Ketto to latch the ball past Goalie Ssekide Dan, sending the crowd in to a frenzy. The match started on a high note with EALA dominating the play.

Hon. Martin Ngoga and Hon. Taslima Twaha controlled the midfield in the earlier stages of the match. EALA Speaker, Rt Hon. Daniel Kidega could have put the victors ahead in the 17th minute but he shot wide with the Parliament of Rwanda Goalkeeper, Bosabose Emile beaten.

Parliament of Uganda then settled and began making inroads into the EALA defence line marshalled by Peter Asiimwe and Hon. Straton Ndikuryayo. Captain Hon. Patrick Nsanja missed a sitter after receiving a pass from striker Hon. Nsereko Muhammad mid-way as the match progressed.

In the second half, Parliament of Uganda came back a more rejuvenated side following Coach Tom Lwanga’s pep talk to his charges. Hon. Otto Odonga collected the ball from the midfield and beat two defenders to set a through pass to Hon. Nsanja Patrick who slotted home the equaliser.

The match went into extra-time but ended in a draw resulting in a penalty. EALA Goalkeeper saved a crucial penalty taken by Hon. Muhammad Nsereko as the match ended 4-3 in their favour.

Dan Ssekide, Edward Mubiru and Hon. Nsanja Patrick scored the spot kicks. Hon. Gatabazi JMV won the Most Valuable Player’s award after having tied with EALA striker Wycliff Ketto. The rules governing soccer provide that where a Member of Parliament ties with a staff, then the former shall be accorded the prize.

The golden boot (top scorer) went to Hon. Patrick Nsanja of Uganda while Parliament of Kenya won the most disciplined team.

Earlier on, Parliament of Rwanda scooped position three after beating Parliament of Kenya 4-2 in penalties after a match that ended in a barren draw. It was yet another day when Parliament of Kenya’s strikers failed to find the back of the net. Scorers for the Parliament of Rwanda were Nshimiyimana Ernest, Habimana Augustin, Ngoboka Eric and Ndagijimana Eric.

Senator Isaac Melly and Jorum Baraza scored for Parliament of Kenya while Hon. Peter Kaluma and Jillo Yezeli shot wide. Parliament of Kenya also bagged the volleyball men’s tournament, athletics men and the overall trophy in athletics.

In women’s volleyball, Parliament of Rwanda were declared winners beating Parliament of Kenya by 2 sets to 0, 25-20 and 25-16.

Parliament of Uganda were declared the champs of the 2015 netball tournament. Parliament of Uganda beat Parliament of Kenya 45-9.

Leading goal shooter, Hon. Susan Netasiire won the golden hand after amassing 79 points while Hon. Winifred Kiiza was declared the Most Valuable Player.