East African Legislative Assembly, Bujumbura, Burundi: December1st 2018: The EAC Inter-Parliamentary Games has kicked off in Bujumbura, Burundi. The highlight of the day was a friendly match pitting an EAC Select Side featuring legislators from the EAC Partner States and Hallelujah FC in a thrilling encounter at the Prince Louis Rwagasore. Hallelujah FC associated with H.E Pierre Nkurunziza, President of the Republic of Burundi, walloped the EAC makeshift side 4-1 with goals from Nsengiyumva Paul (3rd Minute), Saleh Ali Yamutu (12th minute), Nsabimana Jamal (12th Minute) and Muyenga Alex (through a penalty in the 28th Minute). The EAC’s consolation goal was scored by Hon Dennis Karera (from the Burundi National Assembly).
Earlier on, the Speaker of the Burundi National Assembly, Rt Hon Nyabenda Pascal, officiated at the Pre-Tournament Conference called to nurture networking and bonding among the legislators.
In his remarks, Rt Hon Nyabenda underscored the need for ensuring peace continues to prevail in Burundi and the EAC region. He said sport was a uniting factor and key in sensitizing members, staff and citizens from all the Partner States on the integration process and progress realised thereof. He further remarked the Inter-Parliamentary Games had continued to play a key role in uniting East Africans.
“To achieve this goal, such games have to be politically neutral in order to break down barriers and hostilities amongst East Africans, whose dream and destiny are to live together in a Community which has no pseudo borders”, Rt Hon Nyabenda said. The Speaker informed the delegations that the EAC was also expected to help the country (Republic of Burundi) organise peaceful, credible and fair elections in two years’ time.
“Moreover, as you certainly are aware, His Excellency Pierre NKURUNZIZA, President of the Republic of Burundi, will not run as a candidate for the 2020 presidential election. Now, what Burundians are expecting from East Africans is to help them organise peaceful, fair, transparent and inclusive elections in 2020”, Rt Hon Nyabenda said.
Hon Susan Nakawuki, Chair of the EALA Joint Planning Committee of the Games reiterated the importance of nurturing sports for integration.
At the same time, such games enhance interaction with the citizenry of the Partner States, promote cohesiveness and enhance our pride as East Africans”, Hon Nakawuki said. She called for utmost discipline during the 10-day extravaganza.
“I am particularly keen on the issue of discipline and etiquette. It would be of paramount importance that the participating teams, players and officials maintain total discipline and that infringement of any of these agreed regulations are effectively handled by the Disciplinary Committee”, Hon Nakawuki said.
EALA Member, Hon Gideon Gatpan presented a paper on the milestones of the EAC realised to date. The IPG which was mooted 9 years ago has over the years realized several successes. Fundamentally,Parliamentary games are a key aspect of building relations between the EALA and the National Legislatures in the EAC region. The games play a fundamental part in enabling EALA’s interaction with Members of the National Legislatures in the Partner States as envisaged in Article 49 (2a) of the Treaty for the Establishment of EAC.
The tournament disciplines include football, walk-race, netball, golf, athletics, tug-of-war and volleyball. Athletics which takes place at the Stade Olympique (in Nyabugete) will feature races in 100 meters, 200 meters, 400 metres, 800 and 1500 metres respectively for men and women. The 4x 400m relay and the 4x 100m races are also on the cards.
The Games themed: “Accelerating a people-centered EAC by connecting Parliamentarians and citizens through Sports” brings together EALA and the National Legislatures.
On Sunday (December 2),in football, Parliament of Uganda plays Parliament of Tanzania while Parliament of Burundi locks horns with Parliament of Kenya in the next game. In volleyball, Parliament of Uganda will play Parliament of Tanzania before Parliament of Kenya faces Parliament of Burundi. In Women’s volleyball, Parliament of Burundi will play defending champions, Parliament of Kenya in the first match as Parliament of Uganda and Parliament of Tanzania later face-off in the second match of the day.
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For more information, please contact:
Bobi Odiko Senior Public Relations Officer East African Legislative Assembly Arusha, Tanzania Tel: +255-27-2508240 Fax: +255-27-2503103 Cell: +255-787-870945, +254-733-718036 Email: BOdiko [at] eachq.org Web: www.eala.org
About the East African Legislative Assembly: The East African Legislative Assembly is the Legislative Organ of the East African Community. Its Membership consists of a total of 62, of whom 54 are elected Members (9 from each Partner State) and eight ex-officio members (the Ministers responsible for EAC Affairs from the Partner States, the Secretary General of the Community and the Counsel to the Community).The East African Legislative Assembly has legislative functions as well as oversight of all East African Community matters. The enactment of legislation of the Community is put in effect by means of Bills passed by the Assembly and assented to by the Heads of State, and every Bill that has been duly passed and assented to become an Act of the Community and takes precedent over similar legislations in the Partner States. EALA has to date passed 79 pieces of legislation.
Burundi bagged the highest Medals while Tanzania trailed
East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, 30th August, 2018: The curtain fell on the inaugural East African Community (EAC) Games 2018 themed Fostering EAC Integration and Peace through Sports, which kicked off on 16th August 2018 in several play grounds within Bujumbura City and at the Gitega Stadium in Burundi, on Wednesday 29th August 2018.
At the end of the 14-day gruelling competition in 12 disciplines, the Republic of Burundi bagged the highest number of medals (10), followed by Uganda (9), then Kenya (8), and Tanzania trailed with (4). The Republics of Rwanda and South Sudan were expected but did not show up for the event. The 12 sporting disciplines were Football (women), Netball (women), Volley Ball (men), Volley Ball (women), Rugby 7s (men), Lawn Tennis (men), Lawn Tennis (w), Boxing (men), Boxing (women), Karate (men) Half Marathon (men), and Half Marathon (women).
Burundi won three (3) Gold medals in Lawn Tennis (w), Boxing (w), and Karate (m); six (6) Silver medals in Football (w), Volley Ball (m), Volley Ball (w), Rugby 7s (m), Lawn Tennis (m), and Boxing (m); and one (1) Bronze medal in Netball (w).
Uganda got five (5) Gold medals in Netball (w), Volley Ball (m), Volley Ball (w), Rugby 7s (m), and Boxing (m); two (2) Silver medals in Boxing (w) and Half Marathon (m); and two (2) Bronze medals in Lawn Tennis (m) and Lawn Tennis (w).
Kenya took home three (3) Gold medals in Lawn Tennis (m), Half Marathon (m), and Half Marathon (w); three (3) Silver medals in Lawn Tennis (w), Karate (M), and Half Marathon (w); and two (2) Bronze medals in Half Marathon (m) and Half Marathon (w).
The United Republic of Tanzania took home only three medals; one (1) Gold medal in Football (w), one (1) Silver medal in Netball (w), and one (1) Bronze medal in Karate (m).
Gracing the closing ceremony was the First Vice President of the Republic of Burundi, H.E. Gaston Sindimwo, who commended the East African Community Secretariat and the Partner States for organizing the Games geared towards enhancing the citizens’ support and popular participation in the integration agenda.
Addressing the same occasion, the Secretary General of the East African Community, Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko said hosting and providing a lot of support to the 1st EAC Games in Bujumbura and Gitega was a true demonstration and commitment by the Republic of Burundi to the EAC integration agenda.
He said the 1st ever EAC Games had offered yet another opportunity to the sportsmen and women to have a regional platform to show case the rich and diverse sporting talents the East African region has to offer in the overall context of the integration process.
He noted that the succesful conclusion of the EAC Games was yet another demonstration of the long-standing and now rapidly growing fraternal relations and networking among the ordinary citizenry in the region. “The event affirms our resolve to work together to promote peace, harmony stability and unity in East Africa. This marks the beginning of holding regular EAC Games which demonstrates our resolve as East Africans to move the Integration towards greater levels in widening and deepening the cooperation in all fields of life of our peoples”, affirmed the EAC official.
Ambassador Jean Rigi, the Permanent Secretary who represented the Minister to the Office of the President Responsible for East African Community Affairs noted that the First Edition of the EAC Games had been very significant to many for years to come because it has made it possible for the youth around the Region to come together and acquaint themselves with the realities of the East African Community. “It has also developed a sense of bondage, which is critical for deepening and widening East African Community integration”.
He urged the participants to nurture the ambition and the desire to play better in the 2nd Edition of the Games, with a much deeper sense of integration.
Notes to Editors
EACoG is a Regional Sports initiative that emanates from the decision of the 20th EAC Council of Ministers, which directed the Secretariat to organize and hold Sports Tournaments on regular basis with partnership of private sector, civil society, voluntary organizations/ institutions/individuals and Development Partners
A summary of the Medals and Overall Ranking can be accessed from the EAC Games website: https://www.eac.int/eacog
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For more information, please contact:
Mr Owora Richard Othieno Head, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Department EAC Secretariat Arusha, Tanzania Tel: +255 784 835021 Email: OOthieno [at] eachq.org
About the East African Community Secretariat:
The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organisation of five Partner States, comprising Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda, with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania, 21st August, 2018: The EAC Games themedFostering EAC Integration and Peace through Sportstaking place at various play grounds within Bujumbura City and at Gitega Stadiumentered day four (4) with Tanzania Women Netballers thrashing the Burundi team 79 to 14 in a game played at the ENS play ground in Bujumbura, Burundi.
In another thrilling opening home match between Burundi and Uganda played at the Parque play ground in Bujumbura, Uganda beat Burundi 3 sets to 0 in women volleyball. Burundi takes on Uganda in the 1st home match men volley ball on Tuesday 21 August, while in Women Volleyball; Uganda will play Burundi on Friday 24th August in their away match at the same venue.
In Karate match played on Sunday 19 August, Burundi won the 1st Gold medals of the tournament in both the Individual and Team Kata having taken on Kenya and Tanzania at the Dojo Nationale. Karate Individual and Team Kumite (Burundi Kenya and Tanzania) matches are scheduled on 21st and 24th August respectively at the same venue.
In Boxing,Burundi and Uganda will be on the stage on Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th August at the Dojo Nationale.
Burundi, Kenya, Uganda have registered for Lawn Tennisfor Men and Women singles and Doubles which are scheduled to be played on Wednesday 22nd August whenBurundi will take on Uganda Men Singles, and Kenya will tussle it out with Uganda in Women Singles at the Entente Sportive arena in Bujumbura.
Kenya will take on Uganda in Men Doubles on Friday 24th August, while Burundi will play against Kenya in Women Doubles. On 26th August, Uganda takes on Burundi in women doubles while Kenya takes on Burundi in Men doubles.
In Rugby 7s (Men), Burundi plays Uganda on 25th August at the Tempete Fields in Bujumbura.
Burundi, Kenya, Tanzania registered Football Women Teams and in the opening football encounter played on Monday 20th August 2018 in Gitega town, Tanzania slashed the host Burundi 8 to 1. Tanzania will take on Kenya (W) on Thursday 23rd August and Kenya versus Burundi (W) will be on Saturday 25th August 2018 also at the Gitega Stadium.
Notes to Editors
The 1st Edition of the East African Community Games (EACoG) is being hosted by the Republic of Burundi from 16th to 30th August 2018 in the city of Bujumbura, and in the town of Gitega, under the themeFostering EAC Integration andPeace through Sports. The Games will take the form of all East Africa Games and will include multiple sports disciplines including: Football, Volley Ball,Karate, Boxing, Tennis, Rugby, and Half Marathon to be competed among the Partner States.
EACoG is a Regional Sports initiative that emanates from the decision of the 20th EAC Council of Ministers, which directed the Secretariat to organize and hold Sports Tournaments on regular basis with partnership of private sector, civil society, voluntary organizations/ institutions/individuals and Development Partners.
East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania, 17th August, 2018: The 2nd Vice President of the Republic of Burundi, His Excellency Joseph Butore officiated at the kick-off of the 14-day inaugural EAC Games at the Lycee SOS HG in Bujumbura, Burundi.
Addressing Honourable Ministers; Members of Parliament; Members of the Diplomatic Corps; Sports men and women from the Partner States, and the citizens of Bujumbura, who thronged the Play field of SOS HG School, the 2nd Vice President, who represented H.E. Pierre Nkurunziza, reaffirmed the commitment of the Republic of Burundi to the promotion of close cooperation among the Partner States in the field of sports, particularly by promoting and valuing the various sports activities.
H.E Butore informed his audience that sports was a channel for strengthening and safeguarding unity and peace in the development of the world, adding that “Faced with the issues and challenges of the globalized world, the EAC Games are one of the answers to the question of youth employment, who are the majority of the population, and a pathway for their socio-economic integration”.
The 2nd Vice President asserted that the major concern in the region was to strengthen interstate partnership, to build and consolidate synergy, in order to achieve the goals of sustainable development. “We must therefore turn the page of history and build a world united in the spirit of the people, in order to invite them to reject violence, and give a place of choice to the culture of peace in African in general, and in the East African Community in particular”, noted H.E Butore.
At the same occasion, Uganda’s 2nd Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of EAC Affairs and Chairperson of the EAC Council of Ministers, Rt. Hon. Kirunda Kivenjija, disclosed that the Council of Ministers will, in the next 5 years, endeavor to promote and support the development of Sports through public-private sector partnerships. “This will be done in fostering closer collaboration among Partner States to strengthen the sports institutional capacities and establish a conducive regulatory frameworks in the region”.
He said greater emphasis will be put towards attraction of domestic and foreign investment for construction of sports facilities across the region, development of sports academies for effective tracking and nurturing of talents. He reiterated that the role of Sports in reinforcing the spirit of East African unity and development and galvanizing a passionate, visionary and broad participation among the East African people.
On his part, the Secretary General of the East African Community, Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko said the EAC Games being launched for the first time in the region will be conducted every two years on rotational basis in accordance with the Decision of the Council of Ministers.
He disclosed that in this 1st edition, more than 1,000 sports men and women from the EAC Partner States were on the ground and will participate in Football, Volley Ball, Karate, Boxing, Tennis, Rugby, and Half Marathon.
He noted that the EAC Games was providing an opportunity for East Africans to showcase the diverse sporting talents and an avenue for sports talent exchange, learning and celebration. He said the EAC Secretariat’s focus is to make the regional sports event attractive to the public to enable East Africans to move across borders to interact freely within the Community.
Notes to Editors
The 1st Edition of the East African Community Games (EACoG) is being hosted by the Republic of Burundi from 16th to 30th August 2018 in the city of Bujumbura, and in the town of Gitega, under the theme Fostering EAC Integration andPeace through Sports. The Games will take the form of all East Africa Games and will include multiple sports disciplines including: Football, Volley Ball, Karate, Boxing, Tennis, Rugby, and Half Marathon to be competed among the Partner States.
EACoG is a Regional Sports initiative that emanates from the decision of the 20th EAC Council of Ministers, which directed the Secretariat to organize and hold Sports Tournaments on regular basis with partnership of private sector, civil society, voluntary organizations/ institutions/individuals and Development Partners.
Mr Owora Richard Othieno Head, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Department EAC Secretariat Arusha, Tanzania Tel: +255 784 835021 Email: OOthieno [at] eachq.org
About the East African Community Secretariat:
The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organisation of five Partner States, comprising Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda, with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
106 VIPs, 291 Match officials, 310 Team officials, 1630 Players to participate
East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania, 12th July 2018: The Republic of Burundi will host the 1st Edition of the East African Community Games (EACoG) from 16th to 30th August 2018 in the city of Bujumbura, and in the towns of Ngozi and Gitega, under the theme Fostering EAC Integration andPeace through Sports.
The Games will take the form of all East Africa Games and will include multiple sports disciplines including: Athletics, Football, Handball, Basketball, Netball, Volleyball, Tennis, Rugby, Judo, Karate, Boxing and Taekwondo to be competed among the 6 Partner States that form the East African Community.
EACoG is a Regional Sports initiative that emanates from the decision of the 20th EAC Council of Ministers, which directed the Secretariat to organize and hold Sports Tournaments on regular basis with partnership of private sector, civil society, voluntary organizations/ institutions/individuals and Development Partners.
This was in recognition of the important role sports play towards reinforcing the spirit of East African unity and development and galvanizing a passionate, visionary and broad participation among the East African people, reflecting the basic principle of a people-centered regional integration.
Commenting on the ongoing preparation for the Games, the EAC Secretary General Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko disclosed that EACoG aims at showcasing the diverse sporting talents and provides a platform for sports talent exchange, learning and celebration.
“This initiative is aimed at providing an opportunity for East Africans to showcase the diversity of sporting talent in the region with particular focus on amateur/upcoming sports men and women with a limited emphasis on the competition”. “We are also aiming at making the event attractive to the public to enable East Africans to move across borders to interact freely within the region”.
The Secretary General also disclosed that the Burundi Government through its Ministry in the Office of the President Responsible for EAC Affairs has already extended invitation to the Partner States to participate in the Games.
According to the EAC Principal Sports and Culture Officer, Mr. Bernard Bakaye Lubega, it is expected that EACoG will attract 106 VIPs, 291 Match officials, 310 Team Officials, and 1,630 players in various disciplines.
Notes to Editors
Article 119 (a) of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community states that: “The Partner States shall promote close co-operation amongst themselves in culture and sports with respect to the promotion and enhancement of diverse Sports activities”.
The overall objective of the EAC games is to foster regional integration and solidarity among the People of East Africa.
Some of the exiting Regional Sport Initiatives Events include:
EAC Military Games and Culture Event: They have been held seven times on rotational basis in all the EAC Partner States – Under the Memorandum of Understanding on EAC Cooperation in Defense. The games involve the following disciplines; Basketball, Handball, Netball, Soccer and X-Country. The Games are sponsored by EAC Partner States;
EAC Inter-Parliamentary Games: These have been held 5 times on rotational basis since the establishment of EALA. The games involve the following disciplines: Netball and Soccer. They are sponsored by the national Parliaments and the East African Legislative Assembly;
East African Secondary Schools Games: This has been held 13 times on rotational basis since the EAC was re-established. It is organized by the Federation of East African Secondary Schools Sports Association (FEASSSA). The games are sponsored by the participating secondary schools and private sector;
East African Inter -University Games: These have been held six time since the EAC was re-established. The tournament is sponsored by the participating Universities and the private sector;
East Africa University Female Games: This has been held once so far. The games are organized by East Africa University Sports Federation with support from International University Spots Federation (FISU), through Federation of African University Sports (FASU). Games are aimed at promoting and celebrating women involvement in University Sports (especially those marginalized Sports). The Competition features the following disciplines: Handball, Football, Netball, Tennis and Chess;
East african Netball Championship: Last Event was held in Dar es salaam, Tanzania in 2013. The Tournanent features only Netball;
East Africa Rugby Cup (EARC): This is organized by the East African Rugby Football Union. The Tournanent is for Only Rugby;
East African Rugby Super Cup: This is organized by the East African Rugby Football Union. The Tournanent is for Only Rugby;
East African Cup: This is a ten year old tournament.It is usually held in Moshi;
East Africa Handball Championship: This is organized annually by the East and Central Africa Handall Federation – for men. The games have been held succesfully for 28 years.
East African Cricket Cup;
East African Beach Volleyball Championships;
East African Athletic; and
East Africa Sports for People with Disability
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For more information, please contact:
Mr Owora Richard Othieno Head, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Department EAC Secretariat Arusha, Tanzania Tel: +255 784 835021 Email: OOthieno [at] eachq.org
About the East African Community Secretariat:
The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organisation of five Partner States, comprising Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda, with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
East African Community Secretariat; Kampala, Uganda; 12 September 2017:
The President of the Republic of Uganda and the current Chairperson of the East African Community, H.E Yoweri Kaguta Museveni launched the 3rd Edition of the East African Community (EAC) Arts and Culture Festival (Jumuiya ya Afrika Mashariki Utamaduni Festival - JAMAFEST) at the Kololo Ceremonial Ground on Sunday 10th September 2017.
The President, who was represented at the colorful launch by Uganda’s Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, said the EAC Arts and Culture Festival was intended to send a powerful signal to the region and the world that the regional bloc was still active and very united.
He said the East Africa’s cultural diversity is critical in driving regional integration among Partner States and applauded both the EAC Council of Ministers for directing the EAC Secretariat to organize the Jamafest in the Partner States on rotational basis and the EAC Secretariat for implementing the Council decision.
The President cautioned the young people in the region to be responsible and always be mindful of the challenges posed by globalization.
The main objective of the festival, organized by the EAC Secretariat in collaboration with the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development and the Ministry of East African Community Affairs, is to promote regional socio-cultural integration through arts and culture by providing a regional platform to showcase culture as a prime driver of EAC integration.
The festival runs from 7th to 15th September 2017 under the theme “Culture and creative industries: An Engine for unity and Employment Creation”.
Addressing the same occasion, the 2nd Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of EAC Affairs and also the Chairperson of the EAC Council of Ministers, Rt. Hon. Dr. Ali Kirunda Kivejinja, said the theme of the festival “Culture and creative industries: An Engine for unity and Employment Creation”, was very critical at a time when the region was consolidating the unity and cohesion that the people of East Africa enjoy and strive to achieve.
“Culture and creative industries is one of the sectors that the region is looking at in creating more employment opportunities especially for the youth. As a region, the EAC Council of Ministers pledges continued support and partnership to this Jamafest process” said the Chair of the EAC Council of Ministers.
Uganda’s Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Hon. Janat B. Mukwaya disclosed that the Kampala Jamafest had lined up over 1,000 artists, 64 performances, 8 stages, 10 traditional games, cuisine, and exhibition of cultural products from the entire region. “In brief, we shall showcase the arts and cultural endowment of the East African Community” noted the Minister.
On his part, the Secretary General of the East African Community, Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko, said “As East Africans, we gather in Kampala as One People with a Common Destiny, to celebrate and acknowledge the great importance of our cultural identity while appreciating the significance of coming together to interact and share experiences meant to foster social cohesion and unity.”
The Secretary General noted that the region’s collective mission remains to work towards a culturally integrated East Africa whose overriding agenda was to improve the living conditions of the citizens, and people moving and interacting freely across boarders in fulfillment of their dreams and ambitions, and eventually attaining the dream of the founders of East, which is a political federation.
Amb. Mfumukeko asserted that following the recent directive by the Summit to the EAC Secretariat to have a model constitution of the Confederation of the East African States, the journey of a politically and culturally integrated East Africa had started.
He said Jamafest provides an excellent opportunity and platform for the exchange of information, ideas and interaction between cultural practitioners, public policy makers and private sector actors from the EAC region and beyond.
“The EAC integration is not just about growing our economies through increased trade and investment at the regional and international levels. It is my belief that these festivals give East Africans a unique opportunity not just to showcase and celebrate their cultures, but to strengthen their common identity as well” affirmed the EAC Executive.
The Jamafest is being held within the provision of Article 119 (c) of the Treaty for the Establishment of EAC where Partner States undertake to promote close cooperation amongst themselves in culture and sports.
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For more information, please contact:
Mr Owora Richard Othieno Head, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Department EAC Secretariat Arusha, Tanzania Tel: +255 784 835021 Email: OOthieno [at] eachq.org
About the East African Community Secretariat:
The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organisation of five Partner States, comprising Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda, with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
East African Community Secretariat; Arusha, Tanzania; 07 September 2017:
The East African Community(EAC) Secretariat together with Partner States will hold the 3rd edition of the Jumuiya ya Afrika Mashariki Utamaduni Festival (JAMAFEST) from 9th – 14th September 2017 in Kampala, Uganda.
The main objective of the Festival is to promote regional socio-cultural integration through arts and culture by providing a regional platform to showcase culture as a prime driver of EAC integration.
The JAMAFEST 2017, will run under the theme; “ Culture and creative industries: An Engine for unity and Employment Creation”. A theme Song has been composed and will be played throughout the festival period as part of the publicity campaign of creating awareness of the role of arts and culture in regional integration.
The main venue of the festival will be Kololo Ceremonial Grounds where the main stage for cultural performances, the exhibition and market place will be located. The official opening and closing ceremonies will also be held at the same venue. The subsidiary venues include Uganda National Cultural centre where specialized shows including film festival, comedy and drama will be conducted. Hotel Africana will host the Symposium, fashion show and the closing Dinner gala.
Mr Owora Richard Othieno Head, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Department EAC Secretariat Arusha, Tanzania Tel: +255 784 835021 Email: OOthieno [at] eachq.org
About the East African Community Secretariat:
The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organisation of five Partner States, comprising Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda, with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
East African Community Secretariat; Arusha, Tanznaia; 10 August 2017:
The 2nd East African Bicycle Tour dubbed Tour d’EAC was flagged off yesterday at the EAC headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania by the Deputy Secretary General in charge of Planning and Infrastructure, Eng. Steven Mlote, on behalf of the EAC Secretary General.
The 2nd Tour d'EAC 2017, organized by Campfire Logs Guild, an initiative of idealized young East Africans with diverse adventure background committed to the development of young people through Adventure Learning/Training Programs, brought together a team of 27 cyclists from all six EAC Partner States. Among the team of cyclists, 2 are physically impaired.
Participation in the Tour d'EAC is open for all citizens of the EAC region who are enthusiastic about adventure and tourism. This year, the initiative with a 45-day expedition is themed; “Unlocking East Africa’s Trade and Tourism potential through an effective and efficient Integration Process”.
The 2nd Tour d’EAC follows the very first successfully concluded Tour d’EAC 2016, which took place from August 1st to September 3rd, 2016.
The organizers realized that the entire region is blessed with many economic opportunities and tourism attractions – diverse cultures, nature, recreation and the warmth resilience of the hardworking people – all of which help to boost East Africa’s economy, and concluded that if marketed effectively and efficiently, these resources have the potential to develop EAC.
Speaking briefly at the flag off, the Director and Team Leader of the Campfire Logs Guild Initiative, Mr. John Bosco Balango outlined the goal of the cyclists initiative, which is to promote the spirit of the East African Community among the people of East Africa; promote tourism and business potential of the Community while enhancing the awareness of social and cultural peculiarities of people and places in the EAC.
“In other words, the event seeks to promote the integration agenda by sensitizing the citizens of East Africa along the way and helping them understand and own the integration process”, reiterated Mr. Balongo, adding that " the East African bicycle tour is an expression of unity, oneness, togetherness and peace”.
The Director Trade at the East African Community Secretariat, Mr. Alhaj Rashid Kibowa, who received the team on arrival in Arusha from Uganda via Kenya, saluted and commended the youthful cyclists for their committed efforts towards the voluntary exercise.
The Director stated that the Tour d’EAC will go a long way in promoting the EAC and marketing the integration agenda by exposing the people at the grass-roots to information about EAC in regards to its existence, achievements, opportunities, benefits and challenges in order for them to fully embrace the integration pillars. The Director also thanked GIZ for their firm support in making the initiative a reality.
In his remarks prior to the flagging off , Eng. Steven Mlote applauded the team for their commitment towards the noble cause and encouraged them to keep rekindling the East African spirit across the EAC Partner States. He urged them to establish the event as an annual event in collaboration with the EAC Secretariat, aimed at championing the integration agenda. Eng. Mlote also urged the cyclists whom he called true ambassadors of the EAC, to advocate for peace and tranquillity throughout their entire journey.
The team has so far ridden from Kampala, Uganda to Arusha, Tanzania via Nairobi, Kenya and is yet to complete the full cycle of the trail route via Dar-es-Salaam, Dodoma, Kigoma, Bujumbura, Kigali and finally back to Kampala; covering 5,600 kilometers.
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For more information, please contact:
Mr Owora Richard Othieno Head, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Department EAC Secretariat Arusha, Tanzania Tel: +255 784 835021 Email: OOthieno [at] eachq.org
About the East African Community Secretariat:
The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organisation of five Partner States, comprising Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda, with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
East African Community Secretariat; Arusha, Tanzania; 14 July 2017:
The East African Community(EAC) Secretariat together with Partner States will hold the 3rd edition of the Jumuiya ya Afrika Mashariki Utamaduni Festival (JAMAFEST) from 7th – 15th September 2017 in Kampala, Uganda.
The main objective of the Festival is to promote regional socio-cultural integration through arts and culture by providing a regional platform to showcase culture as a prime driver of EAC integration.
The JAMAFEST 2017, will run under the theme; “ Culture and creative industries: An Engine for unity and Employment Creation”. A theme Song has been composed and will be played throughout the festival period as part of the publicity campaign of creating awareness of the role of arts and culture in regional integration.
The main venue of the festival will be Kololo Ceremonial Grounds where the main stage for cultural performances, the exhibition and market place will be located. The official opening and closing ceremonies will also be held at the same venue. The subsidiary venues include Uganda National Cultural centre where specialized shows including film festival, comedy and drama will be conducted. Hotel Africana will host the Symposium, fashion show and the closing Dinner gala.
Speaking ahead of the festival, the EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Productive and Social Sector, Hon. Christophe Bazivamo disclosed that the 2017 Festival will also host a Carnival which will run through different selected parts of Kampala City.
He said festival events will run for seven days and will include a Carnival, live musical performances, theatre/comedy, arts and craft exhibitions, literary works, film shows, poetry, storytelling, acrobatics, workshop/symposium, culinary art, fashion show and children theatre. The Festival will also have a Cultural Market place which is specifically designed to provide opportunities to Festival Participants for selling and buying of cultural products and cultural business networking, added Hon. Bazivamo.
The festival is expected to bring cultural communities within the region together, foster social cultural interaction and promote peace and harmony among the people of East Africa and enable people move across borders to share experiences and ideas thus creating long-lasting connections.
In addition, Jamafest is envisaged to help to develop a new audiences for the region and promote Cultural tourism in the EAC as well as generate income and jobs while promoting social inclusion, cultural diversity and human development.
- ENDS -
Notes to Editor:
The Jumuiya ya Afrika Mashariki Utamaduni Festival (JAMAFEST), is a regional Arts and Culture Festival held in the East African Community Partner States on a rotational basis. The Festival is a result of the 23rd Council of the Ministers directive to the Secretariat to organize and hold regional Arts and Culture Festivals and Sports Tournaments as one of the strategies for fostering socio cohesion among East Africans.
Two successful editions of Jamafest have been held so far. The 1st Edition was held in February, 2013 in Kigali, Rwanda under the theme : “Fostering the East African Community Integration through Cultural Industries”. The 2nd edition of the Festival was hosted by the Republic of Kenya at the at Kenyatta International convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi, Kenya in August 2015 under the theme “Unleashing the Economic Potential of Cultural and Creative industries in the EAC”.
For more information, please contact:
Mr Owora Richard Othieno Head, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Department EAC Secretariat Arusha, Tanzania Tel: +255 784 835021 Email: OOthieno [at] eachq.org
About the East African Community Secretariat:
The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organisation of five Partner States, comprising Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda, with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
