Posted in Press Release
EALA has this afternoon adjourned debate on the EAC Electronic Transactions Bill 2014 to pave way for stakeholders to make additional input.
The adjournment came after a request for deferment of the debate by the Chair of Council of Ministers, Hon. Dr Abdallah Saadaala was approved. In his ruling, the Speaker, Rt Hon. Daniel F. Kidega directed that the Bill be brought back to the Order paper during the next Plenary in Nairobi, Kenya.
The Chair of Council of Ministers reiterated total support of the Bill but added there was need for more time for the consolidation of further inputs and comments by stakeholders. At the same time, consultations are been called to allow for enrichment of the Report of the Committee of Communication, Trade and Investment (CTI).
According to the Chair of Council of Ministers, the Bill has been shared with the East African Communications Organisation (EACO) headquartered in Kigali, Rwanda and the EAC Monetary Affairs Committee (MAC) for comments.
The EACO brings together a number of consumers of e-transactions. At the same time, the Minister affirms that EAC is also developing and implementing the electronic payments and settlements systems under the leadership of the MAC to enhance financial infrastructure in the region. The Secretary-General of the EAC, Amb. Dr Richard Sezibera similarly wrote to the Assembly requesting for more time to consult stakeholders.
The Electronic Transaction Bill, 2014 seeks to meet the need of exploiting electronic transactions in the modern day business transactions. The Bill further wants to promote technology neutrality in applying legislation to electronic communications and transactions and to develop a safe, secure and effective environment for the consumer, business and the Governments of the Partner States to conduct and use electronic transactions. EALA has already undertaken a series of public hearings to source for views from stakeholders on this particular Bill.
The initiator of the Private Members Bill is Hon. Dr James Ndahayo.
Today’s debate was preceded by tabling of a report by the Committee on Communications and Trade Investment which undertook public hearings on the Bill. The Members of the Committee were divided into two groups to undertake the public hearings. One group covered the Republics of Burundi and Rwanda while another one covered the United Republic of Tanzania and the Republic of Kenya and both groups then converged in the Republic of Uganda.
The stakeholders consulted included among others: Ministries responsible for ICT, including ICT regulators and the e-government agencies; Ministries of Trade and Commerce and the Finance Ministries. Others were Offices of the Attorneys General, including the Law Reform Commissions; Law Societies and Law Enforcement agencies as well as the East African Business Council and Private Sector Federation.
Hon. Judy Pareno said the mobile telephony exchanges and pay systems were necessary in the region. It should however be anchored by a relevant piece of legislation. “I thank the mover for coming up with it. Let us enrich it and have some safeguards in the legislation”, Hon. Pareno said.
Hon. Isabelle Ndahayo said businesses continued to face pressure to transact business electronically. “The need for speedy and efficient systems while cutting down costs is key”, Hon. Ndahayo said, adding, that it was time to have a regulatory framework in place.
The Bill will facilitate regional traders by offering practical solutions and provide security to those who use electronic modes of transaction. “It enhances the type of transactions necessary and prohibits others, thus builds trust and confidence among users”, Hon. Ndahayo said.
Hon. Abubakar Zein remarked it was time for East Africans to embrace the knowledge age we live in. “We should, however, consult more widely and pick more views from the stakeholders”, Hon. Zein said.
He challenged the Assembly to move also towards reviewing its own Rules of Procedure to be technologically compliant. He said the time to move to a paperless Assembly was now.
“Let use e-footprints, he said, while imploring EALA to go the e-business way”. Hon. Nancy Abisai said all five Partner States had made an effort to have legislation on electronic transaction.
Many of the Partner States are moving to e-government systems including implementing the single window systems. “This also includes the implementation of the customs systems. We thus need to ensure business is transacted in a manner that is legally binding”, she added.
The legislator remarked that the Central Banks and other authorities had raised key fundamental issues and such were considered by the CTI Committee during the public hearings. We must embrace the era of technology and internet services we are moving into.
Hon. Patricia Hajabakiga said the entry of the Common Market Protocol in itself was vital for the envisaged Bill. “We are not an island and cannot be isolated from the rest of the world.The fact that I can sit in Kigali and transact business in Dar es Salaam without picking a flight enables me save money and speed up business”, she said.
Hon. Susan Nakawuki said there was need to enhance security facilities on the sim-card’s chip especially on telephony. The email systems can also go viral and there are challenges to cyber security, including cookies and infringement of data.
Hon. Dora Byamukama termed the Bill important but said there were areas of additional input and clarification necessary to strengthen the Bill. She remarked that terrorism was a major concern but one that could be addressed if nabbed through electronic means.
Hon. Mumbi Ngaru, Hon. Martin Ngoga and Hon. Pierre Celestin Rwigema supported the Bill. Others were Hon. Mike Sebalu and Hon. Abdullah Mwinyi.
Posted in Press Release
Culture and Creative Industries in the region today received a shot in the arm following the passage of the EAC Culture and Creative Industries Bill, 2015 by EALA.
The Bill sailed through the 3rd Reading after intense debate on the floor of the House. The key Bill recognises people with talents and skills and creates an environment that promotes talents and the necessary infrastructure to develop the industries, many of which are considered nascent, while removing existing barriers.
The object of the Bill is to promote the Culture and Creative industries at the EAC. The Bill seeks to establish the Culture and Creative Industries Council that shall provide an environment conducive to the enhancement and stimulation of creativity and innovative endeavours among the citizens of the Community.
Once formed, the Council shall provide high quality training for skills and creativity development, and formulate policies and strategies to stimulate creativity and innovations among the youth to ensure long term supply of talents.
Culture and Creative Industries are considered one of the fastest growing sectors in the global economy and contribute significantly to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of many developed and developing countries.
The Council is also to conduct a comprehensive mapping of individuals or groups involved in creative industries and design practical tools that assist individuals to effectively use and diversify their products to be locally and globally competitive.
According to the mover of the Bill, Hon. Dr James Ndahiro, there are citizens with talents and if such (talents) are well exploited, then individuals and the nation would greatly benefit. The Bill, Hon. Dr Ndahiro states, seeks to provide a legal framework for East Africans to excel in all forms of talent and creativity and contribute to the welfare of the Community.
We need to celebrate the integration aspirations but only if we take into consideration and overcome challenges been faced in the cultural and creativity industries. Such include unfair treatment in terms of permits to operate, discrimination of citizens from Partner States despite our co-operation and the opening up of region due to the Common Market Protocol, Dr Ndahiro maintained.
The debate today was preceded by a Report of the Committee on General Purpose presented to the House by the Chair of the General Purpose Committee, Hon. Dr Odette Nyiramilimo.
The public hearings were held on 9-12th March 2015, to form an effective medium for sensitisation of stakeholders on the Bill and a forum for them to contribute to its enhancement. Stakeholders visited included the government officials from the Ministries of EAC, Culture Ministries, Private sector and officials of the Investment and revenue collection bodies.
Hon. Dr Nyiramilimo said it was necessary for the Bill to consider Intellectual Property rights which is a specialised and wide technical issue requiring consideration. The report also states that it is important for the region to consider the relevant provisions of the EAC Common Market Protocol and their operationalisation. The Report also states that digital media and other forms of art, including audio-visual media be included.
The debate on Bill commenced last week. However it was adjourned to give the Committee time to interact with the Council of Ministers. During debate today, Hon. Shyrose Bhanji said it was necessary to support local artistes. “There is not still a good market for artistes and it is vital for Governments to create budgets to enable them compete in the world market”, Hon. Bhanji said.
We have the likes of Juliana Kanyomozi, Ken Wa Maria, Bobi Wine, Kidum among others. They need to marketed widely so they also widen their scope”, she said.
Hon. Dora Byamukama said it was necessary to have intellectual property rights through a Bill to enable innovators to enjoy the royalties. She called for development and mapping of an inventory of artistes in the region as a marketing tool.
“Let us market our products aggressively but such products should also be quality”, the legislator added. Hon. Judy Pareno said there was creativity and energy among the youth that should be harnessed. “The Bill will address some of the issues that concern our youth”, she said.
“There is so much expertise in the bead work of the Maasai, for example. Have we patented them? We must protect intellectual property and the regional law goes a long way in addressing some of the areas including protection and harmonisation”, Hon. Pareno added.
Hon. AbuBakar Zein lamented that the Sauti ya Busara which showcases the best of artistes and one that brings together the globe to East Africa is unlikely to take place in 2016 due to lack of funds.
“This is sad thing should it happen, given that the occasion fuses a melt pot of creativity and innovation, he said. “The project of integration can wholly be inspired by arts”, he added.
Hon. Hafsa Mossi said the region was blessed by a rich culture and great potential in terms of arts. She said the media could play a key role in outreach. The Chair of Council of Ministers reiterated that United Republic of Tanzania was committed to the law and had submitted its inputs for consideration.
Hon. Frederic Ngenzebuhoro, Hon. Valerie Nyirahabineza, Hon. Leonce Ndarubagiye, Hon. Ussi Maryam, Hon. Susan Nakawuki and Hon. Martin Ngoga duly supported the report.
Uganda’s EAC Minister, Hon. Shem Bageine said it was important to preserve, protect and defend the culture of Africa at all costs. “We should also strive to promote the Kiswahili culture”, the Minister said.