…..theme: “Press for Progress’; Planet 50-50 by 2030
East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, 6th March, 2018: The East African Community will join the rest of the world in marking the 2018 International Women's Day on 8th March , 2018. The event will take place at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
The International Women’s Day is held annually on March 8 to celebrate women’s achievements throughout history and across nations. It is also known as the United Nations (UN) Day for Women’s Rights and International Peace. The UN drew global attention to women's concerns in 1975 by calling for an International Women's Year.
The International Women’s Day is a time to reflect on the progress made in women’s rights, to call for change, and to celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who have played an extraordinary role in the history of women’s rights. The theme for the International Women’s Day 2018 is Press for Progress; Planet 50-50 by 2030.
As provided for in Articles 121 and 122 of the Treaty for the Establishment of the EAC, Partner States have undertaken various efforts to enhance the Role of Women in Business and Socio-Economic Development.
The EAC Partner States recognise that women make a significant contribution towards the process of economic transformation and sustainable growth and that it is impossible to implement effective programmes for the economic and social development of the Partner States without the full participation of women.
To this end, the EAC has put the inclusion of women and girls at the centre of development programmes with Partner States ensuring affirmative action, constitutional and legal reforms, development of national gender policies; institutional mechanisms for implementation and accountability; economic empowerment measures, and sector-specific policies.
The EAC Secretariat is therefore committed to have a Community where women can participate as equal partners, decision makers, and beneficiaries in the development of their societies.
To mark International Women’s Day on 8th March, 2018, the EAC Secretariat has organized special events to celebrate the International Women’s Day as follows;
Events:
Together with the Arusha City Council, Women's Organizations, partners at the regional level, Staff of the EAC Secretariat and other guests, the EAC Secretary General, Amb Liberat Mfumukeko will lead all women and men in a ‘walk for gender equality’
Visit to Mount Meru Hospital to donate a package of materials in maternity ward and discuss with the administration the progress made so far since EAC visit to the hospital in 2014.
Celebrations at the EAC Headquarters:
This will feature talks and presentations:
A panel session on: Agriculture Sector: Jacqueline Mkindi from Tanzania Horticultural Association (TAHA); Finance- Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB); Tourism- Lady Tour Guides; Mining- Women in Mining
By Women Leaders in the EAC – Topic: ‘Press for Progress’
On progress made to achieve Gender parity in the EAC by 2030
Presentations from the IIDEA projects that focus on women and with success stories
Moderated interactive session
Some other initiatives that show tremendous progress
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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, 5th March, 2018:
The East African Community has embarked on a landmark Work-load Analysis and Job Evaluation exercise that could substantially alter the organizational structure of the Community.
The 15-day exercise which is being conducted by experts from the six EAC Partner States has been convened in line with the directive of the 35th Meeting of the Council of Ministers which was held on 4th April, 2017 in Arusha, Tanzania which approved the terms of reference for work-load analysis and job evaluation.
The experts are drawn from the Public Service Commissions as well Ministries of Public Service in the Partner States.
Speaking when he officially unveiled the exercise, EAC Secretary General Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko said that one of the expected outcomes of the exercise would be a new organizational structure for the Community.
Amb. Mfumukeko said that the desired structure should be flexible and decentralized to allow speedy decision-making at all levels of the Community using fewer resources.
“To explain the relationship between EAC and the Partner States, I wish to point out that the role of the Secretariat is to coordinate and not implement projects and programmes,” he added.
The scope of the meeting which has been convened by the EAC Ad Hoc Service Commission includes: Undertaking a comprehensive analysis of all positions in the Organs and Institutions; Undertaking a comprehensive analysis of the proposed structures for EAC Organs and Institutions; Proposing a new Grading Structure for the Community, and; Reviewing and updating Job Descriptions for staff in the proposed structures.
The meeting will also: determine optimal staffing levels for EAC Organs and Institutions, and; determine an appropriate salary structure for the Community.
The SG advised the experts that effectively undertaking the assignment requires proper understanding of the direction that the Community would take over the next five years as portrayed in the 5th EAC Development Strategy that was launched by the Heads of State at their 19th Ordinary Meeting held in Kampala, Uganda on 23rd February, 2018.
“The expected organization structure will assist in the implementation of the above strategy. The work-load analysis and job evaluation will cover all EAC Organs and Institutions,” he said.
In his remarks, Mr. Frank Musingiwiire, the Deputy Secretary in the Uganda Public Service Commission, on behalf the Chairperson of the EAC Ad Hoc Service Commission, emphasized that the exercise would transform the Community for betterment of EAC Citizens.
Mr. Musingwiire urged EAC Staff and other stakeholders to own the process which he said would be as transparent as possible. He called on EAC staff to prepare and actively participate in the exercise.
EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Finance and Administration, Hon. Jesca Eriyo, said that the work-load analysis and job evaluation is a continuation of the institutional review which has been ongoing at the EAC for some time.
The 19th Ordinary Summit of the EAC Heads of State resolved that there would only two Deputy Secretaries General (DSGs), down from four, at the EAC Secretariat who shall be recruited competitively on a rotational basis.
The Summit directed the Council to follow up on the issue and conclude the restructuring of the Community. The EAC currently has four DSGs whose functional roles are: Planning and Infrastructure; Productive and Social Sectors; Finance and Administration, and; Political Federation.
Consequently, Hon. Eriyo, the DSG in charge of Finance and Administration, whose second and final term expires in April 2018, will not be replaced.
The EAC Organs – EAC Secretariat (EACS), East African Court of Justice (EACJ) and East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) – currently have a combined staffing of 314 officers, who are either established, project or short-term staff.
The Secretariat has the majority at 228, EACJ 53 while EALA has 33 members of staff.
NOTE FOR EDITORS:
The Council of Ministers, during its 33rd Meeting directed the EAC Secretariat to undertake a review of the proposed organizational structure for the initial phase and submit proposals to the 34th Meeting of the Council.
The 33rd Council further directed the Secretariat to determine the appropriate staffing levels for the EAC Organs and Institutions based on a detailed job evaluation process.
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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 Legislative Assembly, Arusha, March 5, 2018:
The East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) resumes its Sitting in Arusha, Tanzania, this week. The Assembly convenes for the Third Meeting of the First Session of the 4th Assembly, which commences today March 5th , 2018 and runs until March 23rd, 2018.
Key items at the Sitting include the debate on the East African Community Oaths Bill, 2017. The Bill anticipates the provision for the taking and administering of Oaths in relation to the specific persons appointed to serve in the Organs or Institutions of the Community or required to take oath before giving evidence at the East African Court of Justice. The Bill moved by the Chair of the Council of Ministers, Rt Hon Dr Ali Kirunda Kivejinja, avers that whereas there are specific persons who are required by the Treaty like in the case of the Judges and Registrars of the East African Court of Justice if in justice matters, or an Act of the Community like in the case of EALA Members, in all other cases, oaths of allegiance are administered and taken in accordance with staff rules and regulations or by practice. The Bill which sailed through the First Reading at the recent Sitting in Kampala (2nd Meeting of the First Session) therefore hopes to cure the lacuna by providing for the administration of an oath as a statute.
In addition, the Report of the EALA on the on-spot assessment (tour) of the Northern and Central Corridors shall also be tabled and debated. The report follows the recent 13-day (February 12th-23rd, 2018) assessment of the institutions, facilities and installations of the EAC programmes in the Partner States undertaken by the Assembly.
At the tour, one team inspected the Northern corridor, commencing in Mombasa port and covering a total of 1,444 Kilometres to Kigali – through Nairobi, and Kampala. Another delegation of Members traversed concurrently, through the Central Corridor, from Dar es Salaam through to Bujumbura and eventually Kigali. Both teams then convened in Kigali, to crystallize the findings and for a wrap-up of the two-week tour.
The tour was initialised to enable Members to appreciate the operations of EAC Institutions and Authorities/Agencies that provide services, and the corresponding gains and challenges of integration. The tour also provided several fora to receive requisite feedback and recommendations from the citizens on their perception of the integration efforts so far.
Upon debate and if adopted, the Assembly shall provide the way forward in recommendations to be forwarded to the EAC Council of Ministers.
The Assembly also anticipates resumption of debate on the Address of the Chairperson of the EAC Summit of Heads of State delivered on January 23rd, 2018 at the Sitting in Kampala, Uganda. Delivering the speech, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni reiterated need for the bloc to go full throttle and to unite the markets for prosperity of the people.
The President remarked the region stood to gain much more as a unified front. He cited the strategic security as key in integration and called on the region to effect better use of the existing common natural resources for its own prosperity citing Lake Victoria as a case in point.
The Sitting is also to be interspersed in Week 1 by rigourous Committee work as well as further induction for Members largely on audited accounts and the EAC Budget processes and framework.
NOTE TO EDITORS ABOUT EALA
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 effected 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.
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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 (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.
East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, 2nd March, 2018:
The East African Community (EAC) Secretariat in collaboration with the Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), held Regional Learning Event and Investors Forum/Donors Roundtable on Environment and Natural Resources Management under the theme: Building Resilience in East Africa: Bridging the Gaps in Policy & Practice at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
The forum showcased the EAC’s regional priority programs in environment and natural resources management including climate change adaptation; biodiversity conservation; water, sanitation and hygiene; and transboundary water resources management.
The forum brought together regional and national practitioners, policy makers, researchers, non-governmental organizations, international organizations, regional intergovernmental organizations, private sector representatives and development partners from the EAC region. Participants explored these themes with objective of stimulating concrete and practical actions that will impact the most vulnerable ecosystems and societies
Addressing the forum Forum/Donors Roundtable the EAC Secretary General Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko commended the fundamental support from USAID extended towards different sectors including Trade and Investment, Agriculture, Energy, Health and institutional strengthening.
He said for the last 5 years EAC has been collaborating with USAID through different projects and programs including the Planning for Resilience in East Africa through Policy, Adaptation, Research and Economic Development (PREPARED)
“I would wish to emphasize that sustainability and scaling up of PREPARED achievements is very key and is one of the reasons why we are gathered here today’’
On his part, Mr. Brad Arsenault, Deputy Chief, USAID Kenya and East Africa said the U.S. Government, through USAID, focuses on the sustainable management of the region’s rich natural resources as a driver for socio-economic growth and sustainable development. Our joint commitment to managing natural resources is critical," explained USAID’s Acting Director.
Mr. Brad pledged USAID’s commitment to support the strong strategic leadership by the EAC and maintaining the collaborative management structures to ensure the management and conservation of transboundary natural resources.
Notes to Editors
ABOUT THE PROGRAM:
USAID’s PREPARED program is implemented by six regional partners including the EAC, LVBC, Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), Climate Prediction and Application Centre (ICPAC), Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWSNET), Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD) and Tetra Tech ARD. The program seeks to mainstream climate-resilient development planning and program implementation into regional and national development agendas.
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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, 1st March , 2018:
A Regional Learning Event and Investor Forum on Environment and Natural Resources Management under the theme Building resilience in East Africa: Bridging the Gaps in Policy and Practice is underway at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
The two-day forum being organized by the East African Community Secretariat in collaboration with the Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC) with the financial support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) provides an interactive space to promote networking, stimulate actions, and facilitate experiential learning that supports resilience, linking local level initiatives with those at regional and national levels.
The overall objective of the event is to showcase EAC priority programs in Environment and Natural Resources on climate change; biodiversity conservation; water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH); and transboundary water resources management.
Reading the speech of the EAC Secretary General, Amb Liberat Mfumukeko during the official opening session, the Director of Productive Sector, at the EAC Secretariat, Mr. Jean Baptiste Havugimana said the Community is facing numerous environmental challenges that undermine regional efforts in improving the quality of life of citizens and attaining sustainable development objectives.Some of those challenges are but not limited to: pollution, desertification, deterioration of aquatic and fresh water ecosystems, disasters, climate change and serious biodiversity losses.
Mr. Havugimana disclosed that at the regional level, the EAC Secretariat and Lake LVBC have been implementing a good number of projects and programmes with a view to conserving and protecting the region’s environment and natural capital against all forms of pollution and degradation arising from sustainable natural events (extreme weather conditions for example: EL NINO and LA NINA) as well as human induced disasters and developmental activities.
He said for the region to build on the momentum of work that has been carried out particularly in the last five years under the USAID/KEA funded PREPARED Program, there is a need for a critical assessment of the past performances, draw lessons and identify offered opportunities to stimulate future actions that can allow achievement of quick wins and facilitate pragmatic learning that supports resilience, linking local level initiatives with those at regional and national levels.
At the same occasion, the Deputy Executive Secretary of the Lake Victoria Basin Commission in charge of Programmes and Projects, Mr Telly Eugene Muramila said the region is facing a number of environmental challenges similar to the other blocs and to mention one challenge – is the increasing demand for water, driven by population pressure, rapid industrialization, and agricultural intensification.
Mr, Muramila, who was speaking on behalf of Dr. Ali Said Matano, the Executive Secretary of LVBC, informed the participants at the forum that PREPARED Program with other Partners in the region since 2012 has been addressing so many environmental challenges on climate change adaptation, biodiversity conservation and improved water supply, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), which are high priorities for both the US Government and the EAC.
He further explained that over the past five years, LVBC and PREPARED have worked to enhance the resiliency of institutions in East Africa to provide water, supply, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services. “To achieve this goal, the PREPARED Program focused on improving the quality of service delivery among water utilities and reducing non-revenue water (NRW) rates”, added Mr Muramila.
On his part, Mr. Brad Arsenault, Deputy Chief, USAID Kenya and East Africa pledged the commitment of the United States Government to continue supporting East African-led strategic priorities for biodiversity conservation, water resource management, and combatting wildlife trafficking.
He however, called for the Planning for Resilience in East Africa through Policy, Adaptation, Research and Economic Development, better known as PREPARED.
The two-day forum is characterized by plenary and keynote sessions, thematic discussions, and practitioner exhibitions.
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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, 27th February, 2018:
The Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the United Republic of Tanzania and the East African Community, H.E. Amb. Jeroen Verheul, today presented his credentials to the EAC Secretary General, Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
Receiving the Dutch Ambassador, Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko hailed the strong relations existing between the Community and Netherlands and commended the government of Netherland for its dedicated support to the EAC integration process.
Amb. Mfumukeko informed Amb. Verhaul of the significant outcomes of the just concluded Joint EAC Heads of State Retreat and Summit which include, among others: 17 EAC Flagship Projects approved for championing, launching of the 5th EAC Development Strategy (2016/17-2020/21), validation of nine key investment priorities areas for health and implementation of new and on-going earmarked infrastructure projects in the region, progress report on the European Economic Partnership (EU-EAC EPA) negotiations, progress report on the constitution-making process for the EAC Political Confederation, and the Inter-Burundi dialogue under the Facilitator; H.E former President Benjamin Mkapa and Mediator; H.E Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
The Secretary General disclosed that the Community will continue to engage with the EU on the concerns of some Partner States on the EPAs, adding that in the event that an acceptable way forward is not reached, the Community shall explore the use of variable geometry in the implementation of EPAs.
Amb. Mfumukeko also shared the progress made by the EAC in the four pillars of integration namely the Customs Union, Common Market, Monetary Union and Political Federation, adding that the Community had made great strides in the four pillars due to political goodwill by the leaders of the Partner States and support from the EU through the Partnership fund as well as other Development Partners.
The Secretary General reaffirmed EAC’s commitment towards realizing significant achievements in trade, customs and infrastructure development. “Trade is a way to reduce conflict and unemployment hence the need to create a favorable business environment that will boost the Private Sector and attract investments within the region”, he said, noting that East Africa has an extremely high number of educated yet unemployed youth.
In his remarks, Amb. Verheul assured the Secretary General of his country’s commitment to working closely with EAC to enable the Community attain its objectives in the integration process.
The Ambassador said Netherlands was keen to share with the EAC its experiences in the European integration, adding that the EAC could learn from the EU in addressing some of the emerging challenges in the integration process.
The Dutch envoy also commended the Facilitator and the Mediator of the Inter-Burundi dialogue for the progress made thus far, urging that the negotiations should continue to be as inclusive as possible.
Present at the accreditation occasion were Eng. Steven Mlote, the EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Planning and Infrastructure, and; Mr. Kenneth Bagamuhunda, the Director General in charge of EAC Customs and Trade Directorate.
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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.
H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta, President of the Republic of Kenya and H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni President of the Republic of Uganda joined by Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko, East African Community Secretary General, officially launched the Busia One Stop Border Post (OSBP) located on the Kenya/Uganda border, today.
Construction of the Busia OSBP was carried out with funding of US$11.7million from the United Kingdom through the Department for International Development (DFID) while the systems and other related soft infrastructure equivalent to US$1.2million was funded by Global Affairs, Canada. The OSBP investment includes office buildings, roads and parking yards, cargo verification bays, scanner shed, passenger sheds, targeting booths, warehouse and canopies, ICT networks and hardware, furniture, and institutional support to the border agencies.
The OSBP ensures effective border control mechanisms are in place. It will boost trade by cutting the time taken to clear goods between the two nations, thus contributing to a reduction in transport cost, whilst increasing volumes of transhipment cargo through the Central Corridor. It is expected that time to cross the border will reduce by at least a third.
An OSBP is a “one stop” form of border crossing point jointly managed by adjoining Partner States, where multiple border agencies cooperate and collaborate with each other, and effectively coordinate their activities to maximise their operational efficiency. OSBP arrangement brings together under one roof, all the Government agencies performing border crossing controls procedures, doing away with need for motorised traffic and persons to undergo clearance twice at both sides of the border. This arrangement expedites movement, release and clearance of goods and persons across borders, by streamlining border procedures, automation of the border processes and simplification of trade documents.
Speaking at the event, Uganda president H.E Yoweri Museveni said, “I want to thank the British government who have supported us through TMEA, in the construction of the one stop border post making it easy to cross the borders and to do business with Kenya. Trade is a means that will help us create prosperity for the people. My government is committed to creating wealth and jobs for the people through creation of enabling environment for services, Information Communication Technology, commercial agriculture and industries.”
Addressing the crowd, Kenyan President H.E Uhuru Kenyatta commended TMEA for its support to the government and underscored the importance of the OSBP saying, “This facility is an important link for ease of trade between our two countries. Uganda continues to be an important trading partner for Kenya. Opportunities for increased trade and investment have been created. I am happy to hear that because of this OSBP here in Busia, our revenue authority has been able to collect more revenues, a clear indication of increased trade flows”
EAC SG Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko “Much as the One Stop Border concept may look new to some people, the framers of our integration instruments envisioned the need for these facilities and embedded them in the EAC Customs Union Protocol at the time of its negotiation. The first OSBP operations was at Malaba railway station between Uganda and Kenya over ten years ago. At the same time Customs Departments having realized that multiple examination of goods at our internal borders was wasteful and caused unnecessary costs to business, started joint examination of cargo of which Busia Border was a pioneer. These pilot programs provided a practical justification for upscaling the One Stop Border program in the entire region.”
UKAID has provided over USD 52million to the East African Transit Improvement Programme (EATIP) through TMEA, as a contribution to the World Banks’ East Africa Trade and Transport Facilitation Project (EATTFP).
The Head of DFID Kenya, Pete Vowles said, “The UK government is proud to have made such an important contribution to improving regional trade in East Africa through our establishment and leadership of Trade Mark East Africa. By cutting red tape, reforming customs processes and improving roads, ports, and border posts, the UK is supporting the creation of an environment essential for businesses to grow and trade with each other. The completion of the Busia border post marks an important milestone towards our goal of reducing by a third the time to import from the EAC and the rest of the world.”
Over the years, delays in cross border clearance were attributed to duplication of handling procedures on either side of the border, poor institutional arrangement and cargo management systems inadequate physical infrastructures and services and immigration management. The new established OSBP has already addressed some of these challenges. Surveys indicate that since operationalisation of the OSBP early this year, the average time to cross the Busia border has reduced by 84%.
TMEA CEO Frank Matsaert, said, “The completion and operationalisation of the Busia OSBP is a crucial milestone in increasing access to markets and the facilitation of the movement of cargo along the Northern Corridor. When initially investing $12 million with our donors, the United Kingdom and Canada, greater access to markets, increased efficiency that would reduce costs by reducing time and improved infrastructure were just a few of our end goals. Ultimately, our projects in physical infrastructure and automation of key government trade processes like customs, have complemented each other to reduce the cost of doing business and boost trade volumes, increasing both Kenya’s and Uganda’s overall trade competitiveness. Most importantly, they have contributed to governments being businesses being able to expand thus creating jobs.”
TMEA through its donors and in partnership with the East Africa Community has since 2010 to date supported 15 OSBPs in East Africa including South Sudan and has invested about US$117 million in OSBPs and access roads. They are: Kenya and Uganda’s Busia/Busia, Kenya and Uganda’s Malaba/Malaba, Rwanda and Uganda’s Kagitumba/Mirama Hills, Tanzania and Uganda’s Busia border happens to be one of the busiest in East Africa handling transit to and from Great Lakes region of Rwanda, Burundi, DRC and South Sudan. Based on recent TMEA independent Time and Traffic Survey, total weekly traffic count Busia Kenya is 3324 vehicles and 1784 for Busia Uganda. Most importantly, this border handles the largest number of informal cross border traders in the EAC.
Mutukula/Mutukula, Kenya and Tanzania’s Holili/Taveta, South Sudan and Uganda Nimule/Elegu, Burundi and Tanzania’s Kobero/Kabanga and lastly Tunduma on the Tanzanian side.
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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
OR
Nelson Karanja, Ag Communications Director, TradeMark East Africa Tel: +254 731 500596; Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
About TradeMark East Africa TradeMark East Africa (TMEA) is an aid-for-trade organisation that was established with the aim of growing prosperity in East Africa through increased trade. TMEA operates on a not-for-profit basis and is funded by the development agencies of the following countries: Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands, UK, and USA. TMEA works closely with East African Community (EAC) institutions, national governments, the private sector and civil society organisations.
TMEA seeks to increase trade by unlocking economic potential through three strategic objectives: • Increasing physical access to markets; • Enhancing trade environment; and • Improving business competitiveness. Increased trade contributes to stronger economic growth, a reduction in poverty and subsequently greater prosperity.
TMEA has its headquarters in Nairobi with offices in Arusha, Bujumbura, Dar es Salaam, Juba, Kampala and Kigali. To find out more, please visit the TMEA website at www.trademarkea.com
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, 21st February, 2018:
East African Community Partner States will maintain high budgetary allocations geared towards financing infrastructure development within their national borders.
Hon. Monica Azuba Ntege, Uganda’s Minister for Works and Transport, and the Chairperson of the EAC Sectoral Council of Ministers for Transport, Communications and Metereology said that the ongoing infrastructure development projects were meant to interlink the Partner States and create a strong Common Market in the region with sights on the Tripartite Grand Free Trade Area.
Hon. Ntege said that the development of efficient, interlinked and modern infrastructure and energy systems will positively impact on trade, movement of persons, industrialization, value chains, employment, investments that would prepare the regional economies for socio-economic take-off.
Hon. Ntege was speaking during the opening session of the Infrastructure Roundtable on Day One of the EAC Heads of State Joint Retreat on Infrastructure and Health Financing and Development at the Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala, Uganda.
Hon. Ntege disclosed that in their previous three Retreats focusing on Infrastructure Development and Financing the Heads of State had prioritized for implementation a total of 72 projects, split into 286 sub-projects over a 10-year period, ending in 2025.
“The projects span roads, railways, maritime ports, inland waterways, electrical power generation and transmission, and oil and gas infrastructure,” she said.
The Minister said that upon the full implementation of the prioritized projects, the region will among other things have improved 7600 km of road surface, laid 4000 km of standard gauge railways, and increased the combined installed capacity of electrical power generation from 4245 MW to 6734 MW.
“We also hope to have constructed 3000 km of oil pipeline and an oil refinery, and (v) enhanced the performances of Mombasa and Dar es Salaam seaports and opened up new maritime and inland ports,” she said.
On road safety, Hon. Ntege said that East Africa had worrying statistics in terms of road fatalities as compared to the Africa and the rest of the world.
“According to the WHO, the average rate of global road fatalities in 2015 was 17 deaths for every 100,000 inhabitants. In Europe, this figure was 9.2 while in Africa it was 26.5 and current trends show that it is rising every year. For example, compared with the 2.9 road fatality rate of the United Kingdom, the countries in East Africa have rates higher than even the African average, with Tanzania at 32.9, Rwanda at 32.1, Kenya at 29.1 and Uganda at 27.4. This means that concerted efforts need to be made both on the physical and non-physical causative factors,” she said.
“It is reassuring to note that on the side of user behaviour, the EAC has recently developed standardized curricula for the training of commercial drivers which aims at instilling virtues like courtesy, speed perception and environmental awareness skills,” she added.
The Minister, however, said that Partner States should do more to instill and sustain proper behavioural competencies on all road users, including even law enforcement personnel, adding that percentage of accidents could be attributed to poor pavement and geometric road conditions and these should be addressed through infrastructure upgrading.
Hon. Ntege urged the EAC Secretariat to expedite the adoption of harmonized standards for road design and construction, by all the Partner States as directed by the Council and provide separations between motor cycles and vehicles.
“Resources should be mobilized to support the Partner States in the area of road safety to stem the tide of unnecessary deaths on our roads and reduce pressure on our hospital bed capacities now occupied by a large number of accident injury patients,” said Hon. Ndege.
In his remarks, the EAC Deputy Secretary General for Planning and Infrastructure, Eng. Steven Mlote, said that infrastructure development was recognized as the prime mover of socio-economic development in the region and would therefore continue to receive the highest level of political support from EAC Heads of State.
Eng. Mlote said the Joint Retreat would assess the progress of implementation of previously prioritized projects and consider and approve new infrastructure projects for joint/coordinated development.
“Therefore, this roundtable avails EAC Partner States an opportunity to showcase to our development partners and potential investors the major investment opportunities in infrastructure spanning railways, ports, roads, inland waterways, energy and civil aviation sectors,” said Eng. Mlote.
A separate EAC Roundtable on investing in Health Infrastructure, systems, services and research was held at the same venue.
The two-day Joint Retreat is being held under the theme Deepening and Widening Regional Integration through Infrastructure and Health Sector Development in the EAC Partner States.
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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, Kampala, Uganda, 21st February, 2018:
The Chairperson of the EAC Sectoral Council of Ministers of Health and Minister of State Health in the Republic of Uganda, Hon Sarah Opendi, has said that the region is committed to eliminate HIV/AIDs and preventable maternal and child deaths by 2030.
Hon. Opendi urged stakeholders to work diligently to build consensus in the health sector in order to build the health of the EAC population.
Hon Opendi was speaking during the official opening of the 1st EAC Roundtable on investing in Health Infrastructure, systems, services and research for the accelerated attainment of Universal Health coverage and sustainable development at the Speke Resort Munyonyo, in Kampala, Uganda.
The Minister underscored the importance of investing in health, which is the most direct route of creating wealthy nations.
“Poor health hinders our ability to realize national and global socio-economic aspiration set out in the national development plans, Common Market Protocol, the EAC vision 2050 and SDGs,” she said.
She said the roundtable comes at time when the region was still facing major challenges of emerging and re-emerging diseases which calls for increased investment in human financial and technological resources by various stakeholders
“It is my sincere hope that this roundtable dialogue shall come up with concrete proposals and build consensus on priority health infrastructure systems, services and research investments with the highest potential to accelerate progress towards Universal Health Coverage and the health related sustainable development goals,” said Hon. Opendi.
She disclosed that the EAC Partner States were currently expanding the regions capacity to deliver high quality specialized health services through EAC Regional Centre of Excellence for higher medical education and research with the support from the African Development Bank.
On his part, the EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of the Productive and Social Sectors, Hon Christophe Bazivamo on behalf of the EAC Secretary General, Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko, underscored the importance of regional cooperation in health within the context of EAC Common Market Protocol to be buttressed on harnessing the comparative advantage of all stakeholders including Public, Private and Civil Society.
“Through collaborative actions the region will reposition health as a key driver of economic growth and contribute to the attainment of the other pillars of regional integration,” said Hon. Bazivamo.
The Deputy Secretary General informed stakeholders at the roundtable that the region had made significant progress in many areas including expanding the capacity for delivery of high quality health services, training and research with the support of development Partners such as AfDB who financed the regional Centres of Excellence to facilitate access to specialized health care and cross border health services.
Hon Bazivamo called upon the stakeholders to use roundtable discussions to consolidate regional partnership in order to strengthen the health sector based on priorities identified by the region.
The 1st EAC Roundtable on investing in Health Infrastructure, system, services and research for the accelerated attainment of Universal Health coverage and sustainable development is being attended by among others, all the Ministers in charge of Health from the EAC Partner States, Permanent /Principal Secretaries and Senior Officials from government institutions and agencies.
The Joint Retreat is aimed at giving impetus to infrastructure and health development by way of harnessing political support for regional flagship projects, funding commitments, and Public-Private Partnerships arrangements.
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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, 16th February, 2018: Preparations are in high gear for the Joint EAC Heads of State Retreat on Infrastructure and Health Financing and Development scheduled for 21st - 22nd February, 2018 at Speke Resort, Munyonyo, in Kampala, Uganda, EAC Secretary General Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko has said.
Amb Mfumukeko was speaking at the press conference held at the EAC Headquarters to update media on the upcoming Joint EAC Heads of State Retreat as well as 19th Ordinary Summit of the EAC Heads of State which will also be held in Kampala.
Amb. Mfumukeko said the joint Heads of State Retreat themed “Deepening and widening regional integration through Infrastructure and Health Sector Development in the EAC Partner States’’is aimed at accelerating the attainment of the objectives of the EAC Development Strategy, African Union Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals in the infrastructure and health sectors in the EAC.
He said the joint Retreat is expected to give impetus to infrastructure and health development by way of harnessing political support for regional flagship projects, funding commitments, and Public-Private Partnerships arrangements.
Amb Mfumukeko said that the EAC had identified infrastructure development and health as sectors in which it would have to invest massive resources to spur economic growth and prosperity in East Africa.
“Let me assure you that EAC Investment in Infrastructure projects and Health development continues to receive the utmost political attention by none other than EAC Heads of States,’’ said the Secretary General.
Amb Mfumukeko said the retreat would be preceded by separate infrastructure and health sector investors’ and donors’ round-tables on 21st February 2018, Ministerial Session of the 36th Meeting of the Council of Ministers and the Ministerial Session of the 35th Extra-Ordinary Meeting of the Council.
He further disclosed that the 4th Joint Retreat Programme will include an International Infrastructure and Health Sector Exhibition that will run from 21st to 22nd February, 2018. The Exhibition will provide a platform for players in the Infrastructure and Health sectors to showcase new products and services as well as exhibit the latest advances in research and innovation.
On the participation of the EAC Head of States, Secretary General confirmed to the media that all the EAC Heads of State will attend the Joint Retreat on 22nd February and 19th Ordinary Summit on 23rd February, 2018.
At the press conference the EAC Secretary General was accompanied by Deputy Secretary General in charge of Planning and Infrastructure Eng. Steven Mlote.
For more information on participation, registration and exhibition fees requirements, please go through the retreat website: www.eacihr17.eac.int
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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.
