URA clarification on the 'suspension' of Single Customs Territory

Written on 28 May 2018. Posted in Customs

Boosting regional fish farming industry: Stakeholders workshop on the EU-EAC TRUE-FISH Programme

Written on 23 May 2018. Posted in Press Release

EAC Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania, 23rd May 2018:

Today marked the launch of a two day workshop on regional aquaculture, under the title 'Stakeholders workshop on the EU-EAC TRUE-FISH Programme'.
 
The workshop is co-hosted by the East African Community (EAC), the Delegation of the European Union (EU) to Tanzania and to the EAC and the Lake Victoria Fisheries Organization (LVFO). It is also supported by two technical partners: the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) and WorldFish.
 
Addressing the media, EAC Secretary General Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko, said that despite efforts by riparian countries around Lake Victoria, measures to sustainably manage capture fisheries remained a big challenge with stocks of Nile Perch and Tilapia declining drastically.
 
“Notably, aquaculture in East Africa has not developed its potential and accounts for only 7-8% pf regional fish consumption. Overall demand for fish in the region is projected to rise substantially in the near future due to high growth, increasing incomes and urbanization. Developing aquaculture to meet the increasing demand for fish in East Africa is therefore crucial,” said Amb. Mfumukeko.
 
Amb. Mfumukeko disclosed that the five-year project would run from 2019 to 2024 with a budget of 10 million Euros from the European Development Fund, adding that this was a component of the 85 million Euros committed to EAC projects in agriculture, infrastructure, investment and private sector development by the EU.
 
Addressing the media, the Head of Delegation of the European Union to Tanzania and the EAC, H.E. Ambassador Roeland van de Geer reiterated  the importance of fish farming having the potential to be a key driver for poverty eradication and sustainable development in the region: “Not only will fish farming help improve regional nutrition and food security. It will also provide new sources of rural income and contribute to contain pressure on the wild resources of the Lake Victoria”. He further stressed that the EU-EAC TRUE-FISH programme aims to tackle some of the key challenges as well as sustainability risks for the development of market-led, competitive and sustainable commercial aquaculture in the Lake Victoria basin.
 
The Country Director of WorldFish for Zambia and Tanzania, Mr Sloans Chimatiro, indicated that: “in the face of climate change, sustainable aquaculture practices offer water, energy and feed conversion efficiencies superior to any other domesticated animal food production system”.
 
The Executive Secretary of LVFO, Mr. Godfrey V. Monor, said that catches and biomass of fish in the lake and in particular Nile perch and Nile tilapia have declined and stressed that this has been accompanied by a corresponding reduction in per capita fish consumption. Consequently, he continued, “EAC Partner States are making efforts to put in place mechanisms to increase fish production through aquaculture. The LVFO, a specialized Institution of the EAC, coordinating the management and development of fisheries and aquaculture in the region, is spearheading this effort. LVFO has been instrumental in the development of the EAC Regional Strategy and Implementation Plan (2015–2020) for sustainable aquaculture and other documents providing inter alia for the establishment of harmonised legal frameworks. As well, it has been instrumental for the formulation of the EU-EAC TRUE-FISH Programme”.
 
The FAO Representative in Tanzania, Mr Fred Kafeero, stated that FAO has a long history in East Africa, particularly in fisheries and aquaculture on the Great Lakes. He said "Through its Sub-Committee for the Management of Lake Victoria, the Lake Victoria Fisheries Organization was established and inaugurated. As such the link between FAO and LVFO is a lasting one. Likewise FAO has strong links with WorldFish and has benefited from a long-standing relationship with the EU not only in fisheries and aquaculture, but in all aspects of food and agriculture-related aspects in rural development and beyond. All the right elements are there for a successful programme".
 
The main objectives of the workshop are to present and discuss the final design of the EU funded programme to the key stakeholders, place the programme in the context of wider fisheries and aquaculture topics of interest for the region, including on gender, and hold thematic working sessions to kick-off consultations for the preparation of implementing projects.
 
The workshop will be combined with Europe Day celebrations under the theme 'Gender and aquaculture'. Similar celebrations were marked on 9 May in Dar es Salaam and 17 May in Dodoma under the theme 'Gender and Agriculture. Europe Day commemorates the 'Shuman declaration' in 1950 when French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman set out his idea for a new form of economic, and political cooperation in Europe, which led in 1957 to the Treaty of Rome. The Treaty of Rome is one of the constitutional basis of the European Union and a pillar of peace and prosperity in the region.
 
 
NOTES TO EDITORS
 
The TRUE-FISH programme has a total estimated cost of EUR 10.15 million (Approximately TZS 28 billion) and a total amount of European Development Fund contribution of EUR 10 million (Approximately TZS 27. 6 billion) over the period of 5 years (2019-2024).

The programme aims to contribute in developing competitive, gender equitable and sustainable commercial aquaculture in the Lake Victoria basin.
It has three specific objectives:
1) BUSINESS: to improve access to commercial networks for aquaculture-related businesses
2) SKILLS: to increase availability and quality of local skilled workers for the development of aquaculture-related businesses
3) SUSTAINABILITY: to improve sustainability and bio-security of regional aquaculture production systems

Activities associated with the first specific objective include the establishment of a regular East African Aquaculture Exhibition and Conference, strengthening business linkages with the Egyptian and West African aquaculture sectors; and research and packaging of industry information.

The second specific objective covers the upgrading of practical training delivery by three Technical Vocational and Educational Training institutions (RIAT in Kisumu, FTI in Entebbe, and the FETA-NFFI in Nyegezi, Mwanza), and strengthening linkages between the training institutions, and with aquaculture business operators.

The third specific objective will work in areas related to strengthening aquatic animal health conditions, zoning of Lake Victoria, and protection of biodiversity.
Geographical scope: the programme focuses mainly on Lake Victoria and other lakes within its basin (Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania); components on aquatic animal health can be extended to other EAC Member States.

ENDS

For more information, please contact: 
 
Mr Owora Richard Othieno,
Head of Department; Corporate Communications and Public Affairs,
East African Community Secretariat
Direct Line: +255 784 835021
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Website: http://www.eac.int 
 
Dr. Robert Kayanda,
Director of Fisheries Resources Monitoring and Research,
Lake Victoria Fisheries Organisation
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Website: http://www.lvfo.org 
 
Ms Susanne Mbise,
Press & Information Officer,
Delegation of the European Union to Tanzania and to the EAC
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Website: http://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/tanzania/ 
 
 

Secretary General concludes first phase of his visits to EAC Institutions

Written on 21 May 2018. Posted in Press Release

East African Community Secretariat, Arusha, Tanzania, 21^st May, 2018: 

The Secretary General of the East African Community (EAC), Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko, concluded the first phase of visits to the EAC Institutions in Kenya and Uganda over the weekend. 

The visits, which started on the 16^th May, 2018, covered the Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC) located in Kisumu, Kenya; the Lake Victoria Fisheries Organization (LVFO) in Jinja, Uganda; the Inter University Council of East Africa (IUCEA) in Kampala; and the Civil Aviation Safety and Security Oversight Agency (CASSOA) in Entebbe, Uganda on 19^th May, 2018. 

The purpose of the visits is for the Secretary General to familiarize himself with the institutions and to understand their contribution to the integration process and the challenges they face in the discharge of their mandates.

The second phase of the visit will be conducted in June 2018, and will see Amb. Mfumukeko visit the East African Kiswahili Commission (EAKC) based in Zanzibar; the East African Science and Technology Commission (EASTECO) in Kigali, Rwanda; and the East African Health Research Commission (EAHRC) which is based in Bujumbura, Burundi. 

At the LVBC headquarters in Kisumu, Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko met the Executive Secretary, Dr. Ali Said Matano and his staff and got briefs from the Heads of Departments on the key achievements and challenges of the Institution. 

During his visits to Kisumu, the Secretary General paid a courtesy call to the Governor of Kisumu County, H.E. Peter Anyang' Nyong'o, who expressed the need for LVBC to work together with the County Government of Kisumu and urged LVBC to create more awareness on their activities to the residents of Kisumu County. 

The Secretary General toured the Lake Victoria Water and Sanitation (LVWATSAN) 11 project site infrastructures located in Keroka, in Nyamira County. 

At the Lake Victoria Fisheries Organization (LVFO) in Jinja, Uganda, the Secretary General met the Executive Secretary, Godfrey Monor and got briefs from the Heads of Departments on the key achievements and challenges of the Institution. Amb. Mfumukeko later on toured the Source of the Nile (SON) Fish Factory and Farm. 

Established in 2005, SON has breeding and juvenile ponds at Bugungu Farm near Jinja, small fish cages in Lake Victoria in addition to manufacturing its own feed on site. The factory harvests 10,000 tonnes of tilapia per annum and has a strong emphasis on health and safety, sustainability and community projects.

At IUCEA, the Secretary General met the Executive Secretary, Prof. Alexandre Lyambabaje, and got briefs from the Heads of Departments on the key achievements and challenges of the Institution.IUCEA intends to construct the second phase of its headquarters to accommodate all staff, Archives and Conference Halls. 

Amb. Mfumukeko concluded his tour by visiting the CASSOA headquarters. The Ag. Executive Director, Mr Emile Nguza Arao, briefed the Secretary General on the Institution and informed him that CASSOA was voted by International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) as the second best safety and security agency in the world out of 17 organizations. 

During the visits, the Secretary General emphasized to all institutions the need to focus on implementing their priorities as set out in the EAC’s 5^th Development Strategy. He urged all the Heads of Instructions to implement reforms geared at cutting costs and ensuring frugal use and accountability of EAC resources, and endeavour to build synergy with other EAC Organs and Institutions.

-ENDS-

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. 

The EAC Secretariat is ISO 9001:2008 Certified

Kigali Hosts 2nd EAC Regional e-Health and Telemedicine Ministerial Conference and International Trade Exhibition

Written on 18 May 2018. Posted in Education, Science & Technology News

19^th  May, 2018, Kigali Conference and Exhibition Village, Kigali, Republic of Rwanda:

The East African Science and Technology Commission (EASTECO) in collaboration with the East African Regional Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Engineering and e-Health at the University of Rwanda, the EAC Secretariat and Partner States convened the 2^nd EAC Regional e-Health and Telemedicine Ministerial Conference and International Trade Exhibition at the Kigali Conference and Exhibition Village, Kigali, Rwanda on 17^th May, 2018.

The Ministerial Conference considered the report and recommendations of the 2^nd EAC Regional e-Health and Telemedicine Workshop that was held from 15^th to 16^th May, 2018 at the same venue.

The theme of the Conference was “harnessing science, technology and innovation to transform healthcare delivery and accelerate the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals in East Africa.”

The meeting was attended by the Rt. Hon. Dr. Ali H. Kirunda Kivejinja, Second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of EAC Affairs, Uganda and Chairperson of the EAC Council of Ministers; Hon. Sarah Achieng Opendi, Minister of State for Health, Uganda; Hon. Dr. Patrick Ndimubandi, the State Minister for Public and Primary Health, Rwanda. Kenya was represented by Hon. Dr. Rashid Aman, Chief Administrative Secretary, Ministry of Health, and Hon. Ken Obura, Chief Administrative Secretary, Ministry of EAC and Northern Corridor Development. Hon. Ummy Mwalimu, Minister of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children was represented by Mr. Toritoi Ngosayon Bunto, the Acting High Commissioner of Tanzania in Rwanda. The Ministerial Conference brought together 120 participants from the EAC region and beyond.

In his opening remarks, the Chief Guest, Rt. Hon. Dr. Kivejinja, Chairperson of the EAC Council of Ministers underscored the “importance of the conference in bringing together public and private policymakers, technologists, academia, researchers, medical professionals, NGOs and development partners to discuss how technology can be used to enhance healthcare delivery, brainstorm on eHealth policies and regulations and showcase eHealth solutions.”

Hon. Kivejinja called for a “continuous cooperation of EAC Partner States in developing relevant policies and adopting new technologies to enhance healthcare delivery through the use of information technology and communications systems with ultimate goal of improving the standards of living and increasing life expectancy of East Africans.”

In their deliberations, the Ministers noted that the 2^nd eHealth conference built on the 1^st conference that was convened by the EAC Secretariat in Kigali, Rwanda in 2010, in collaboration with Partner States. The meeting recalled that the regional agenda to invest in e-Government, which incorporates e-Health, was approved by the 13^th Ordinary Summit of the EAC Heads of State that was held in 2006. The Ministers further recalled that the 19^th Ordinary Summit of the EAC Heads of State held in Kampala, Uganda on 23^rd February, 2018 approved nine health sector investment priorities for the period 2018 to 2028 and that one of the priority areas was Investment in e-Health and that most of the other eight priorities heavily incorporate aspects of e-Health.

The 2^nd EAC Regional e-Health and Telemedicine Ministerial Conference:

1. a) urged the EAC Partner States that do not have a National e-Health Strategy develop it in line with the WHO - ITU National e-Health Strategy Toolkit by 2020;
2. b) directed EASTECO to conduct an EAC regional e-Health readiness assessment incorporating aspects of systems interoperability, costs and benefits of investing in e-Health by 30^th December 2019 in collaboration with the EAC Secretariat, East African Health Research Commission, Partner States’ National Science and Technology Commissions/Councils and Partners;
3. c) directed EASTECO to promote incubation of local digital health solutions in collaboration with the EAC Secretariat and the Partner States’ Ministries and Agencies responsible for ICT, Science, Technology and Innovation and submit progress reports to relevant Sectoral Councils and the Council of Ministers every two years;
4. d) urged the Sectoral Council on Health to coordinate  the development of regional policies, laws, regulations, guidelines, standards, on health facility/patient safety, data sharing, data security and privacy to facilitate e-health enabled in country and cross border patient referrals within the EAC Partner States by 30^th June 2020
5. e) directed the EAC Regional Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Engineering and eHealth to conduct a study in the application of eLearning systems for training Health Professional in the Region and IUCEA to develop a regional framework to enhance regional and south-south collaboration in capacity building for e-Health by Jan 2020;
6. f) directed EASTECO to take leadership in convening the EAC regional e-health and telemedicine workshops, ministerial conferences and international exhibitions every two years on a rotational basis among the Partner States in last week of October as part of the meetings of the EAC Sectoral Council of Ministers responsible for Health in collaboration with the EAC Secretariat, the EAHRC and the EAC Regional Center for Excellence for Biomedical Engineering and e-Health; and
7. g) approved hosting of the 3^rd EAC regional e-health and telemedicine workshops, ministerial conferences and international exhibitions by the Republic of Uganda from 28^th to 30^th October 2020 as approved by the 16^th Ordinary Meeting of the EAC Sectoral Council of Ministers of Health.

-ENDS-

For more information, please contact:

Richard Irakoze
Communication Assistant
The East African Science and Technology Commission (EASTECO),
2nd Floor Telecom House, Kacyiru,
Kigali, Rwanda
Mobile: +250 783047164
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; C.C. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

About EASTECO

The East African Science and Technology Commission (EASTECO) was established as an institution of the EAC, with an overall objective of “promoting and coordinating the development, management and application of Science and Technology in Partner States” composed with the Republics of Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, the United Republic of Tanzania and the Republic of Uganda.

It is a semi-autonomous institution of the EAC established by the 5th Extra-ordinary Summit of the EAC Heads of State held on 18th June 2007,in accordance with Chapter 16, Article 103 (a) of the Treaty on the Establishment of the East African Community, where the Partner States undertook to promote cooperation in the development of Science & Technology within the Community.

EASTECO Headquarters are in Kigali, Rwanda, 2nd Floor Telecom House, Kacyiru.

EAC is on Alert after Ebola outbreak in DRC

Written on 18 May 2018. Posted in Health

East African Community Secretariat, Arusha, Tanzania, 19^th May, 2018:

On 8 May, 2018, the Ministry of Health of the Democratic Republic Congo (DRC) declared an outbreak of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in the Bikoro Health Zone, Equateur Province in the Western part of the country.

By 15 May, 2018 a total of 44 EVD cases (3 confirmed) had been reported with 19 deaths, including three health care workers. As of 16 May, 393 contacts had been identified and are being followed. A new confirmed case in the 1.2 million people town of Mbandaka, some 150 km away from Bikoro, increases the risk of spreading the disease.

The World Health Organization (WHO), Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), the International Committee of the Red Cross and other international organization are on site and supporting the DRC in the fight against the outbreak, the ninth that has occurred in the country.

Ebola is a zoonotic virus disease that is transmitted from animals to humans. Experts believe that bats are the reservoir for the pathogen. While they do not get sick, the Ebola virus causes a severe, often fatal illness in humans. It spreads in the human population through human-to-human transmission, via direct contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected people and through contaminated surfaces and materials, such as bedding or clothing. There is no therapy yet for EVD and about 50% of people infected with the virus may die. Health workers have an increased risk due to the nature of their work that exposes them to infected people.

Five out of six EAC Partner States share borders with the DRC, and all of them maintain close trade relations with high border traffic. There are also direct flights between the DRC and individual East African Partner States. These factors have caused the EAC to be on high alert. Partner States have put safety measures in place that range from screening people arriving from DRC at the border posts for signs of the disease to alerting health personnel; enhancing diagnostic capacities at major research centres; and informing citizens of the risk and of preventive measures. To date, no cases of Ebola have been detected in the EAC region.

The EAC region has experienced a number of Ebola outbreaks in the past, and some 500 East African experts assisted in the fight against Ebola in West Africa in 2014-2016, when the disease killed more than 11,000 out of almost 30,000 infected people. These experts represent a unique pool of professionals from different disciplines, all with hands-on experience in responding to EVD outbreaks. They can be mobilised at short notice to join the common effort of preventing the disease to spread into the EAC. 

Still, the EAC Secretariat encourages the public to be vigilant and alert. People should seek medical attention when the following symptoms are observed: a sudden onset of fever, fatigue, muscle pain, headache and sore throat. This is often followed by vomiting, diarrhoea, and a skin rash. It can be accompanied by internal and external bleeding (e.g. oozing from the gums, blood in the stools). The public is also urged to continue cooperating with the health workers of their nearest health facilities by availing themselves of information about EVD. 

The EAC Secretariat commends the Partner States for their vigilance and quick and prudent response across disciplines as reflected in the One Health approach. The Secretariat will continue to monitor the situation together with the EAC Partner States to detect any occurrence of EVD in the region at the earliest possible time.

-ENDS-

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. 

The EAC Secretariat is ISO 9001:2008 Certified

Djibouti receives ICT equipment worth over $ 110,000 to fight Financial Crimes

Written on 16 May 2018. Posted in Peace & Security

Djibouti, Tuesday, May 15, 2018. 

COMESA has handed over Information and Communications Technology (ICT) equipment and analytical software worth over US$ 110,000 to the Djibouti Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU). The tools were procured through COMESA Regional Maritime Security (MASE) programme, which is funded by the European Union.

The equipment is intended to enhance the efficiency of the analytical work done by the FIU Unit as well as the quality of the intelligence disseminated to Law Enforcement Agencies and other relevant stakeholders, supporting the country’s daily efforts to fight money laundering and financial crimes.

Receiving the equipment on behalf of the government, Central Bank of Djibouti Governor Mr Ahmed Osman Ali said the fight against financial crime needs concerted efforts. “This handover we are witnessing today is very important for Djibouti and it will greatly booster our efforts in tackling the different forms of financial crime in this region.

He commended COMESA and the EU for providing the equipment and added that the Central Bank is more than ready to use it effectively and achieve the desired results.

Apart from strengthening the IT capacity of its FIU, COMESA has also assisted Djibouti in translating its anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) Laws into Arabic, an important step in the country’s endeavor to align its policies to international standards and become a member of the Middle East and North Africa Financial Action Task Force (MENAFATF).

Representative of COMESA Secretary General, Ms. Elizabeth Mutunga, said the root factor that is of concern for COMESA within the MASE programme has been to strengthen the fight against money laundering. Adding that piracy, or any other crime is motivated and propagated by money.

“If therefore, the ability for criminals to access their illicit funds arising from criminal activities is made more difficult, then we can expect that the crime will also be reduced and hopefully ultimately eradicated,”. She said.

EU Resident Representative in Djibouti Ambassador Adam Kulach said the fight against money laundering in the region will only succeed if key institutions such as Central Banks are strengthened. He reiterated the EU’s commitment to support the region and urged the Central Bank to put the equipment to good use.

Three other Regional Economic Communities (RECs) are implementing the MASE programme addressing different components of maritime security and the fight against maritime crimes. The RECs are the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the East African Community (EAC) and the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC).

The COMESA component of the programme is implemented in partnership with Interpol, focusing on building capacity in the ESA-IO region to disrupt financial network of pirates and their financiers. COMESA strives to strengthen Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) chain, from improving the legal environment to strengthening the capacity of law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute financial crimes.

NOTE TO THE EDITORS

About MASE Programme
MASE is a € 37.5 million EU-funded Programme for the period 2013-2020. It is implemented by Eastern and Southern Africa and Indian Ocean Regional Organizations namely IGAD (overall coordinator), EAC, COMESA and IOC. Other partners include European missions, UN Agencies (UNODC, FAO), Interpol. The Programme comprises five result areas. COMESA’s result area is: Dismantling financial networks linked to maritime crimes and minimizing their economic impact.

About COMESA
COMESA is a regional economic community established by Treaty in 1994. It brings together 19 Member States with a population of over 500 million into a cooperative framework for sustainable economic growth and prosperity through regional integration.

Contact Details
Ms. Dalisto Bonongwe,
MASE Coordinator.
Email: dbonongwe[at]comesa.int

Appellate Court allows SG’s Application & dismisses other 2 matters for Angella Amudo

Written on 14 May 2018. Posted in Press Release

East African Court of Justice Arusha, 11^th May 2018:

The Appellate Division allowed the Secretary General’s Application between him and Angella Amudo. The Application (1^st matter heard) was seeking the Court to expunge the initial Affidavit (sworn statement) filed on 2^nd December 2016 in reply to her case  (Taxation Reference No. 1 of 2016).

The Court ruled that the said Affidavit be replaced with the one sworn on 19^th July 2017 by Honourable Jesca Eriyo. The Court further said that, the Respondent (Angella) was duly served, she has not appeared and there are no grounds of opposition on the affidavit and in the circumstances the Application was not opposed.

Later on, the Court in the interest of Justice, under Rule 1(2) of the Court Rules on the inherent powers of the Court, decided to dismiss the other two matters (the Application No. 1 of 2017 and the Taxation Reference mentioned above) because the Applicant (Angella Amudo) did not appear in Court and also she did not appear in the previous case.

The 2^nd matter (Application No. 1 of 2017) she was challenging a bill of cost in Taxation cause No.1 of 2015 lodged by the Secretary General of the East African Community, that the bill of cost does not bear the signature of the taxing officer (Registrar of the Court) at that time and that the same was not served upon her within the prescribed time. She therefore objects the hearing of the taxation matter for the allegation of being lodged contrary to Rules of the Court. Rule 113(3) of the Court Rules which provides that: 

In the 3^rd matter (Taxation Reference), Angella Amudo was seeking for court orders to set aside a taxation award of a sum of two thousand and ten dollars (2010 USD) granted to the Secretary General of the EAC as cost for perusals, drawing, filing documents in Court and service to the parties in the matter.

Present in Court was Ms Brenda Ntihinyurwa, Legal Expert from the Office of the Counsel to the Community representing the Secretary General.

The orders of the Court was delivered by Honourable Justices: Liboire Nkurunziza (Vice President), Edward Rutakangwa and Aaron Ringera with of the Appellate Division in open Court. 

Notes for editors:

Rule 1 .(2) provides that: Nothing in these Rules shall be deemed to limit or otherwise affect the inherent power of the Court to make such orders as may be necessary for the ends of justice or to prevent abuse of the process of the Court.

Rule 113 (3) (2) and (1): provides that: (1) The Registrar shall be a taxing officer with power to tax the costs of or arising out of any claim or reference as between parties.

(2) The remuneration of an advocate by the client shall be by agreement between them. Where there is no such agreement either of the parties may refer the matter to the Registrar for taxation.

(3) The costs shall be taxed in accordance with the Rules and scale set out in the Third Schedule for the First Instance Division and Eighth Schedule for the Appellate Division”.

ENDS

For more information, please contact:

Yufnalis Okubo
Registrar
East African Court of Justice
Arusha, Tanzania
Tel: +255 27 2162149
mail: Okubo [at] eachq.org
www.eacj.org

About the East African Court of Justice:

The East African Court of Justice (EACJ or ‘the Court’), is one of the organs of the East African Community established under Article 9 of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community. Established in November 2001, the Court’s major responsibility is to ensure the adherence to law in the interpretation and application of and compliance with the EAC Treaty.

Arusha is the temporary seat of the Court until the Summit determines its permanent seat. The Court’s sub-registries are located in the respective National Courts in the Partner States.

EAC and ILO sign MoU to improve the work environment in East Africa

Written on 10 May 2018. Posted in Gender, Community Development & Civil Society

East African Community Secretariat, Arusha, Tanzania, 10^th May, 2018: 

The East African Community and the International Labour Organization Thursday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at improving the work environment in East Africa.

The MoU which was signed at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania by EAC Secretary General Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko and Mr. Wellington Chibebe, the Director of the ILO Country Office in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania will, among other things, address issues such as youth employment, extension of social security, and Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women at the work place.

The MoU is a follow up to another one that was signed between the two organisations in 2001. The 2002 MoU enabled the EAC and ILO to develop and launch a five-year East African Decent Work Programme (2010-2015).

Amb. Mfumukeko said that the revised MoU provides for the development of a framework for the harmonisation of the EAC Partner States’ policies on social security in line with the ILO Convention on Social Security (Minimum Standards) No. 102 of 1952.

“The MoU further provides for the expansion of micro, small and medium enterprises for employment creation. Also included is the development of an EAC labour migration policy as one of the facilitators of labour mobility in the Community,” said the SG.

Amb. Mfumukeko said the Community was striving to address youth unemployment as a matter of priority, adding that having well educated but unemployed youth out of work was a time bomb.

He disclosed that EAC Partner States were addressing the issue by seeking to make agriculture as an attractive income generating venture for the youth. 

Noting that matters of Entry/Work Permit/Residence Permit have an impact on the immigration function in the Partner States, the EAC Secretariat would convene a joint meeting of the Chiefs of Immigration and Directors of Labour before June 2018to finalize the harmonization of Entry/Work/Residence permits.

A meeting of technical officers from EAC and ILO held from 30^th April to 2^nd May, 2018 agreed to enhance collaboration in the implementation of a two-year project towards the extension of social security benefits to migrant workers in the EAC.

In his remarks, ILO Country Director Wellington Chibebe said that his organisation would work with the EAC to accelerate regional integration and at the same time ensure that the drivers of integration, that is the free movement of labour, goods and services enhance livelihoods of the millions of working women and men and their families.

“We welcome the signing of this new Memorandum of Understanding, which will be based firmly on a new DWP for East Africa, addressing strategically prioritized areas agreed upon by the ILO on one side and the EAC and the East African social partner organisations on the other side,” said Mr. Chibebe.

Mr. Chibebe said that giving financial assistance to the needy instead of equipping them with vocational skills was akin to creating culture of perpetual dependency.  

Also represented at the two day forum were the East African Trade Unions Confederation (EATUC) and the East African Employers Organisation (EAEO).

Notes to Editors:

EAC and ILO signed a Memorandum of Understanding on 18^th January, 2001 in which both parties agreed to consult each other with respect to planning and execution of programmes. The programmes include: pursuit of policies and of employment aimed at creating an environment for the development of the private sector and employment; facilitate labour mobility; harmonisation of labour legislation; promotion of fair labour practices through social dialogue and observance of fundamental principles and rights at work; social security and productivity improvement.

In 2010, the EAC and ILO developed and launched a five year East African Decent Work Programme (EA-DWP 2010-2015) which focused on three areas:

(i)     Youth employment by creating a conducive policy environment for the youth and the self-employed, skills improvement and supporting entrepreneurship activities;

(ii)    The extension of social security through the development of an EAC model social protection and protection of social security rights of migrant workers, and;

(iii)    The enhancement of capacity for social dialogue and building technical capacity for EAC Trade Union Confederation and affiliated national apex bodies on collective bargaining and negotiation skills.

-ENDS-

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. 

The EAC Secretariat is ISO 9001:2008 Certified

Kenya's Deputy President and EALA Speaker hold talks in Nairobi

Written on 10 May 2018. Posted in Press Release

East African Legislative Assembly, Nairobi, Kenya, May 10th, 2018:

Kenya’s Deputy President, H.E. William S. Ruto, this morning received EALA Speaker, Rt Hon Ngoga Karoli Martin at the Office of the Deputy President in Karen, Nairobi.

The Deputy President and the EALA Speaker discussed matters of progress on the integration agenda and the role of EAC in so far as advancing continental economic integration is concerned.

An official tweet attributed to H.E. Ruto urged EALA to actualize relevant legislation to strengthen trade.

“The EALA has a unique opportunity to actualise a free trade area in the continent by enacting laws that will bolster regional integration, cooperation, strengthen customs and build a resilient common market”, the Deputy President said.

The two leaders rooted for concerted efforts by all Partner States if the integration agenda is to be realized.

“Africa can make huge gains, get richer and achieve more if we facilitate the free movement of people, goods, services and work together in trade and investment. Kenya believes we can prosper if we do more things together and less separately”, H.E Ruto added.

Rt Hon Ngoga on his part congratulated H.E. Ruto and hailed the Republic of Kenya’s support for EALA and the integration process.

Present at the meeting was the Chief Administrative Secretary for EAC Affairs and Northern Corridor Development, Hon Ken Obura.

- ENDS -

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 (EALA) is the Legislative Organ of the Community and has a cardinal function to further EAC objectives, through its Legislative, Representative and Oversight mandate. It was established under Article 9 of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community.

Court Dismisses an Application seeking reinstatement of the EPA Case Appeal

Written on 10 May 2018. Posted in Press Release

East African Court of Justice Arusha, 10^th May, 2018: 

The Appellate Division dismissed the Application seeking the reinstatement of an appeal in the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) case. The Application which was fixed for a scheduling conference on 9^th May was filed by a Tanzanian citizen, Mr Castro Pius Shirima (Applicant), on 5^th March 2018.

The case was dismissed due to non appearance of the Applicant or his advocate which amounted to an abuse of court process. The Court said that after fixing the Application, all parties were notified, at the Scheduling Conference but neither the Appellant nor his Advocate appeared. All the Respondents were represented by their Counsels, except the Republic of South Sudan.

On 6^th July, 2017, the First Instance Division declined to grant the orders as sought in theApplication seeking for an injunction to stop the Partner States which had not signed the EPA Agreement not to sign the same and those who had signed, to stop them from carrying out any further procedures and processes. This led the Applicant to the Appellate Division for appeal.

On 15^th February, 2018, the Court dismissed Appeal No. 3 of 2017, for the reason that the conduct of the Appellant amounted to abuse of Court process within the contemplation of Rule 1(2) of the Court Rules on inherent powers of the court. This was demonstrated through the Appellant’s inappropriate communication to the Court and to the other Parties of his absence in Court then.

On 5^th March, 2018, the advocate for the Appellant filed a notice of motion seeking an order for the same Appeal to be reinstated and heard on merits. The Motion was expressed to be made under Rule 107 of the Court Rules on non appearance of the Party.

The Court in its Ruling further said that it was persuaded that the Application be dismissed with costs as being abuse of court process for the following reasons; that the Application was misconceived and that the Appeal was not dismissed on non appearance but rather on amendment of documents. Therefore, it was not in the premises open to the Appellant to make his Application for the Appeal to be restored for hearing on merits under Rule 107 (2).

After the Respondents’ Counsels complained that they were not served with the Application subject matter of the scheduling conference, the Court decided that the Conduct of the Applicant in filing an Application but failing to serve other Parties (the Respondents) except the Republic of Uganda (6^th Respondent) and also failing to appear personally or by his advocate at the scheduling conference, amounts to further abuse of the court process.

In addition, the Court said that regarding costs, although it does not ordinarily award costs to the parson litigating in the Public Interest, the repeated abuse of the Court process by the Applicant in this matter, impels it to exercise its discretion otherwise. 

In conclusion, the Court said that it “desires to put a stop to any other possible abuse of its process in this matter, by directing that no further Application relating to this matter shall be entertained at the Registry.”

Counsels representing the Respondents in court were Mr Nestor Kayobera Senior States Attorney for 1^st Respondent (Republic of Burundi), Kepha Onyiso, Senior Principal State Counsel for 2^nd Respondent (Republic of Kenya), Nicholas Ntarugera, Senior State Attorney for 3^rd Respondent (Republic of Rwanda), Mark Mulwambo and David Kakwaya, Principal State Attorneys both for the 5^th Respondent (United Republic of Tanzania), Elisha Bafirawala, Principal State Attorney with Ms Gorretti Arinitwe, State Attorney and Cheptoris Sylivia, Senior State Attorney all for the 6^th Respondent (Republic of Uganda) and Brenda Ntihinyurwa, Legal Expert representing the Secretary General of the East African Community (7^th Respondent).

The Ruling was delivered by Honourable Justices: Dr Emmanuel Ugirashebuja (President of the Court), Liboire Nkurunziza (Vice-President), Justice Edward Rutakangwa, Aaron Ringera and Geoffrey Kiryabwire.

Notes for editors:

107. (2) Where an appeal has been so dismissed under sub rule (1) of this Rule or any cross-appeal has been allowed, the appellant may apply to the Appellate Division to restore the appeal for hearing or to re-hear the cross-appeal, if he can show that he was prevented by any sufficient cause from appearing when the appeal was called on for hearing.

1 .(2) Nothing in these Rules shall be deemed to limit or otherwise affect the inherent power of the Court to make such orders as may be necessary for the ends of justice or to prevent abuse of the process of the Court.

ENDS

For more information, please contact:

Yufnalis Okubo
Registrar
East African Court of Justice
Arusha, Tanzania
Tel: +255 27 2162149
mail: Okubo [at] eachq.org
www.eacj.org

About the East African Court of Justice:

The East African Court of Justice (EACJ or ‘the Court’), is one of the organs of the East African Community established under Article 9 of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community. Established in November 2001, the Court’s major responsibility is to ensure the adherence to law in the interpretation and application of and compliance with the EAC Treaty.

Arusha is the temporary seat of the Court until the Summit determines its permanent seat. The Court’s sub-registries are located in the respective National Courts in the Partner States.