EALA this morning congratulated Government of Rwanda following its move to start a legislative process towards making Kiswahili one of the official languages in the country.
The Resolution passed this morning and moved by Hon Shyrose Bhanji, follows a Cabinet Meeting held on October 12th, 2016 in Rwanda, that passed the draft law seeking to make Kiswahili one of the official languages of the Assembly.
The move now awaits the consideration, discussion and approval by the Parliament of Rwanda before becoming law. The Assembly thus urges Parliament of Rwanda to expeditiously consider the Cabinet’s Resolution
Article 119 of the EAC Treaty, provides for the development and promotion of indigenous languages especially Kiswahili as a lingua franca of the region.
Kiswahili is not only a unifying language spoken by East Africans but it is rich in dialect and expression.
“It is widely spoken in the EAC countries as well as some countries in the Central and Southern part of Africa making it one of the most popular language spoken in the Continent after Arabic”, the Resolution says in part.
Justifying the Motion, Hon Shyrose Bhanji hailed the President of Rwanda, H.E. Paul Kagame and the Cabinet for the decision to begin the process of making Kiswahili an official language. She urged the citizens of the country to embrace Kiswahili, which she termed the language of unity.
At debate time, Hon Martin Ngoga said Kiswahili was a strong unifying tool and that it would make the integration story to be less elitist. “Definitely, Kiswahili will create a strong bond among East Africans”, Hon Ngoga said. “I congratulate the mover”, he added.
Hon Nancy Abisai remarked that sensitization about the Kiswahili language was key especially in Uganda to enhance awareness amongst the citizens given that Kiswahili is a common language for the region.
Hon Abubakar Zein said the region was waiting and looking forward to the time when the Assembly would embrace Kiswahili in its debates. “All Heads of State in the Community have embraced Kiswahili. It is a beautiful language”, he said.
On his part, Hon Adam Kimbisa said the citizens of East African Community were the custodians of Swahili and need to guide and guard the language. “Rwanda has thus shown the way in the process of east africanisation of the language”, he added.
Hon Joseph Kiangoi however remarked that it was important for the Cabinet Resolution to be brought to the House (EALA) to inform the regional Assembly. Hon AbuBakr Ogle said there were pertinent issues to be considered once Kiswahili becomes an official language including translation of vital documents.
Others who contributed to the debate were Hon Mike Sebalu, Hon Patricia Hajabakiga, Hon Dora Byamukama and the Minister for State for EAC Affairs, Hon Wandera Julius Maganda.
In August 2016, EALA passed a Resolution to urge the Summit of EAC to amend the Treaty for the establishment of the Community to provide for Kiswahili as one of the official Languages of the Community.
At the same time, the Assembly urged the Council of Ministers to allocate adequate resources to EAC Kiswahili Commission to effectively carry out its mandate.
EALA today administered an Oath of Allegiance to Hon. Francois Kanimba, Minister of Trade, Industry and EAC, Republic of Rwanda, as an Ex-Officio of the Assembly.
The new Member took the Oath of Allegiance to the EAC Treaty, in accordance with Rule 5 of the Rules of Procedure of the Assembly in an occasion, administered by the Clerk of EALA, before the EALA Speaker, Rt. Hon Daniel F. Kidega.
The Rules of Procedure say in part Rule 5 (4) that: “No Member can sit or participate in the proceedings of the House until the Oath or Affirmation of Allegiance to the Treaty is taken”.
Rule 5(5) specifically states that “when a Member first attends to take his or her seat other than at the first Sitting of a new House, he or she shall be brought to the table by two Members and presented by them to the Speaker who shall then administer the Oath or Affirmation of Allegiance”.
Hon Francois Kanimba was ushered into the House by Hon Martin Ngoga and Hon Patricia Hajabakiga.In a Cabinet reshuffle on October 4th, 2016, the EAC Affairs Ministry was merged with the Ministry of Trade and Industry to form the Ministry of Trade, Industry and EAC Affairs, with Hon François Kanimba retained as the Minister. He replaces Amb Valentine Rugwabiza, former Minister of EAC Affairs in Rwanda, who was appointed Rwanda’s Permanent Representative to New York.
Hon Kanimba is a long serving Minister in the Government of Rwanda. He was appointed Minister of Trade and Industry of Rwanda on 10th May 2011. Under Hon Kanimba’s leadership, in the Ministry, Rwanda developed new strategies to promote a competitive private sector and expand the export base of the country.
This is after a long career as an economist and banker. Hon Kanimba was a long serving Governor of the Central Bank of Rwanda (2002-2011), having risen to the position from First Deputy Governor. He previously co-ordinated the World Bank operations in Rwanda in the areas of Macroeconomic Management and Private Sector Development. He was previously, Chairman of the Governance Task Force which negotiated the first Structural Adjustment Program in Rwanda supported by the World Bank, IMF and other Development Partners.
Hon Kanimba is a graduate of Engineering in Statistics and Economics from the European Centre for Training Economists and Statisticians for Developing Countries (Paris 1983).
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni is rooting for enhanced economic integration as an impetus to ensuring a stronger bloc necessary for the region’s prosperity. Addressing EALA at the commencement of the 4th Meeting of the 5th Session in Kampala late yesterday, the Head of State called on the region to embrace “a Make EAC, Buy EAC” initiative in order to protect jobs and stimulate investments in the market.
President Museveni called on the region to take advantage of its population size which he termed a resource for the EAC. “If there is wealth of the East African region, which many do not talk about often – this is the population of the region. It is one of the most important factors given that it has 162 Million people including Republic of South Sudan”, President Museveni said. The President maintained population of the EAC was a wealth creator made up of producers of goods and services through offering skilled, unskilled and intellectual competencies as well as consumers.
The President said textiles, apparels, shoes and automotive constitute some of the industries whose products could either be made in the region or locally assembled. The President gave a further example of the Federal Republic of Ethiopia saying the northern neighbour was today prioritizing local assemblage of motor vehicles.
He said the time had come for the region to begin discarding the importation of second-hand clothes (Mitumba) saying Uganda was spending over 880 Million Dollars annually on textiles coming from outside the region.
“We (EAC) cannot continue to be a market for imports,” the Head of State said. “We need to use the policy instruments to ensure local production”, he added.
The President said the region was consolidating on its gains in Infrastructure and said opening of a new Berth at the port of Mombasa, construction of the Standard Gauge Railway, improvement of roads in the Republics of Kenya and Tanzania, as well as stable electricity would ensure the costs of doing business were reduced.
He reiterated that EAC Political Federation would in the long run, ensure stability and the future safety of Africa and termed unification of the region as a strategic security for the EAC in the face of the world powers.
“One Partner State in the region cannot do it alone, we must stay united. We must therefore enhance and talk about Political Federation,” President Museveni said.
The President called for the conservation of the environment saying it was a serious issue that needs to be addressed. He maintained that Uganda and the EAC region would need to restore the wetlands as a matter of priority, and avoid tilling the surrounding areas to grow rice and other crops, saying the practice was further debilitating the amount of rain across the entire EAC region.
President Museveni hailed East Africans for fighting Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) saying the cultural practice was outdated and cruel. On social cohesion, the President rooted for Kiswahili saying it was a unifying factor for the entire region. He said Kiswahili was widely spoken among the over 160 Million inhabitants at the EAC.
In attendance were key government officials, legislators from the Parliament of Uganda, representatives of the diplomatic corps, representatives of the private sector as well as the representatives of the EAC Youth Ambassadors platform among others.
In his welcome remarks, the Speaker of the EALA, Rt. Hon Daniel F. Kidega noted that the Sitting was taking place at an irreversible time in the regional integration process.
He called on the region to prioritise food security in the advent of climate change and to have contingency programs to address the looming famine, the region was likely to face.
“I have recently traversed the region and noticed the dire lack of rains”, he said. “Governments likewise should strengthen irrigation systems, promote joint water-conservation efforts, early warning systems, research, extension and training”, he added.
The Speaker called for the maintenance of peace and security in the region saying the stability of Partner States was vital for progress. He urged the region to embrace democratic ideals and good governance. The Speaker further called for free and fair elections in the region.
“Democratic elections are critical as the reverse could pose serious challenges to our stability, demoralize investors and lead to slow-down of economies. Adherence to Constitutions and electoral laws on the part of the leaders, politicians and electoral regulatory bodies is therefore key”, the Speaker said.
“On the other side, citizens must exercise their constitutional rights in a just manner, well aware that choices have consequences. At this juncture, I wish our Sister Partner States of Kenya and Rwanda who are going to polls in 2017 free, peaceful and credible elections”, he added.
The EALA Speaker noted that the 3rd Assembly had made progress and cited some of the milestones realized including enactment of 25 Bills, adoption of 63 Resolutions and passage of 80 reports. The Assembly has likewise streamlined sensitization activities as well as other governance instruments including the Rules of Procedure.
At the Plenary, the Assembly has the following notable business:
Debate on the Gender Equality and Development Bill, 2016, Administration of the East African Court of Justice Bill, 2016 and the EAC Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation Bill, 2016.
Receive and debate on various Reports of Committees of EALA including that of the audit and on the status of railway infrastructure development in the Partner States.
In addition, we expect to debate on specific Motions, pass Resolutions and pose questions to the Council of Ministers.
This is the last Sitting of the Assembly in the Republic of Uganda in line with the Principle of rotation. The Assembly which has two more sittings before its tenure ends in June 2017.
The Secretary General of the East African Community, Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko, on Tuesday morning engaged Senior Editors and Journalists at the Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala, Uganda.
As part of the Secretary General’s publicity and outreach programme to the Republic of Uganda, on the sidelines of the ongoing 5th Session of the East African Legislative Assembly sitting in Kampala, Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko hosted a Media breakfast meeting, during which he expounded on his priorities during his five-year tenure which began in April 2016.
The Secretary General said he would focus on few priorities that will deliver quick results and on those that will touch on the lives of East Africans and address their basic needs such as food, health, education and improved incomes.
He said a big percentage of EAC resources will be directed to sectors such as Agriculture, Health, Education, and Employment creation.
“To achieve this I will strive to establish strategic partnerships with the Development Partners, the Private Sector and also the Civil Society Organizations and of course with you, Members of the fourth Estate”, said Amb. Mfumukeko.
The Secretary General highlighted some of the key achievements in the regional integration process that include the robust implementation of the Single Customs Territory, which has resulted in drastic reduction of the period taken to clear goods from over 20 days to three (3) to four (4) days on the Central Corridor; and from 21 days to four (4) days from Mombasa to Kampala and 18 days to six (6) days to Kigali, on the Northern Corridor.
Amb. Mfumekeko disclosed that out of the 15 border towns earmarked to operate as One Stop Border Posts, 11 had already been completed, adding that 10 of these were already operational.
On the Common Market, the Secretary General said EAC Partner States had enacted new laws to conform to the Protocol, adding that currently Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda were allowing their respective citizens to enter and exit their territories using National Identity cards.
He added that the issuance of the International East African Electronic Passport by the Partner States will commence in the course of this year.
The Senior Editors and Journalists were informed that the process of establishing four (4) support institutions to support the Monetary Union was underway, namely the East African Monetary Institute; East African Statistics Bureau; East African Financial Services Commission, and: the East African Surveillance, Compliance and Enforcement Commission.
The Secretary General said the establishment of a strong Monetary Union would require a robust institutional framework to ensure compliance and safeguard the convergence process.
The Secretary General disclosed that as a show of confidence, key Development Partners had renewed their confidence in EAC integration agenda and were willing to upscale their support to the Community.
He said the most promising was the Partnership Fund, which had received over US$2.5 Million and about US$2.9 Million was still in the pipeline.
“In addition to this, I have since July last year signed financing agreements with the EU, Germany, USAID and World Bank amounting to a total of over US$300 Million to be implemented over the coming years. Most of these funds will be channelled to institutional strengthening within the EAC,” he said.
Amb. Mfumukeko cited the slow pace in harmonization of national laws and other instruments to conform to regional laws and instruments, as one of the challenges impacting the implementation of Community programmes and projects.
Other challenges include; inadequate political mobilization for the full implementation of the signed EAC Protocols; maintenance of the key macro-economic criteria essential for the establishment of one single market for financial services; delays in remittance of funds from Partner States and Development Partners to the Organs and Institutions of the Community, and; a long and tedious decision-making process.
"But for your information, Partner States have the capacity and are really working hard together with the Secretariat to mitigate these challenges,” said Amb. Mfumukeko.
The Secretary General pledged to work with the Media in Uganda and East Africa in general in order to intensify EAC’s outreach initiatives to the people of East Africa.
Also present at the media breakfast was Uganda’s Second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of EAC Affairs, Rt. Hon. Kirunda Kivejinja, who reiterated Uganda’s commitment to the regional integration process.
In line with the EAC Calendar of Activities, the Finance and Administration Committee meeting was held from 10th to 13th January 2017 at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania. The purpose of the meeting was to consider finance, administrative, and human resources matters of the Community.
The Finance and Administration Committee is the technical arm of the EAC Policy Organ, the Council of Ministers. It is charged with scrutinizing all the finance, administrative, and human resource matters to be considered by the Council of Ministers. It is composed of finance, administrative and human resource experts from the Partner States.
The 4-day meeting was attended by experts from all Partner States, EAC Organs and Institutions. The Republic of South Sudan (RSS) attended the EAC meeting for the first time as a full member. The new Partner State sent a five-man delegation led by Hon. Mou Mou Athian Kuol, the Secretary General of South Sudan EAC Secretariat based in Juba.
The Republic of South Sudan became a full member of the East African Community having deposited the instruments for ratification with the Secretary General in September 2016. The Secretariat is working on a detailed roadmap to integrate the new Partner State in the EAC projects and programmes and participation of the South Sudanese delegates in the meeting is part of the process.
Speaking during the meeting, Hon. Mou Mou Athian Kuol hailed the conducive atmosphere in which the EAC meetings were being conducted. He noted that RSS has committed itself to the collective responsibility and commitments toward the East African integration, which it considers as a platform to establish itself in the community of progressive nation in the world.
Hon. Mou Mou assured the meeting that RSS was fully seized on the restoration of peace and tranquility in the country following the disturbances of July, 2016 and was accelerating its action to get back on track in various Protocols to restore peace in the country.
The Finance and Administration Committee meeting made several finance, administrative, and human resource recommendations to the Coordination Committee (Permanent/Principal Secretaries), who will, in turn recommend to the Council for adopting/or further guidance.
The meeting noted that the delay in disbursement of Partner States contributions has caused liquidity challenges to the EAC Organs and Institutions, and recommended to the Coordination Committee to recommend to Council to direct the Partner States to disburse the contributions due for financial year 2016/17 by end of March 2017, to enable the EAC Organs and Institutions discharge their mandate.
The Training of Trainers Workshop on Small Hydropower Development organized by the East African Community (EAC) in collaboration with the African Union Commission (AUC) concluded on 22nd December 2016 at the Blue Pearl Hotel in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
The 30th November, 2016 to 21st December, 2016 workshop commissioned to the University of Dar es Salaam, College of Engineering, and Technology to carry out a Training of Trainers, covered training of fifteen tertiary Institutions from EAC Partner States, curriculum development and development of online platform to facilitate sharing of information as well as experience among small hydropower development stakeholders in East Africa.
The overall objective of the workshop was to enhance technical capacity for Small Hydropower Development in East African in order to increase access to electricity in the region and ensure there is a pool of people able to carry out operation as well as maintenance of small hydropower project.
Addressing the participants of the workshop during the official closing session, the Head of Cooperation from the Italian Embassy, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania Mr Fabio Gigantino said, “ People of East Africa need affordable and reliable energy, produced in a sustainable manner”
Mr. Fabio Gigantino, who represented the Italian Ambassador to the United Republic of Tanzania disclosed to the participants that among all renewable sources, small hydropower can be duly held as one of the most promising for sustainable water and energy development.
He noted that small hydropower development can provide needed energy services in a sustainable manner in the East African Countries. The East African Community may become a pacesetter in Africa also in this filed, added the Mr. Fabio Gigantino.
“Let me assure you that the Italian government will make all the necessary efforts to support Small Hydropower Development in East African”.
In his part the EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Productive and Social Sector, Hon Christophe Bazivamo said development of small hydropower projects is important in the region because it is necessary for solving the problem of electricity access and also because it brings with number of benefits and opportunities for the East African Community.
He disclosed to the participants that EAC has vast potential for small hydropower according to the scoping study carried out by the EAC with the support from EU Energy Initiative Partnership Dialogue Facility (EUEI PDF), the potential for small hydropower in the EAC region is estimated at 4,097MW scattered in over 750 sites.
The EAC official informed the participants that the programme for small hydropower development is one among others that the EAC is undertaking. In the electricity sector, the region is implementing a Power Master Plan, which outlines priority generation and transmission projects for meeting the region electricity demand over the next twenty-five years, added Deputy Secretary General.
“I am please to inform you that a number of major generation and transmission projects are under implementation with the region expected to have its power system interconnected by 2020 to facilitate regional power trade.’’
Speaking at the same occasion, Acting Head of Energy Division, at the African Union Commission (AUC), Mr. Rashid Abdallah assured the participants that the African Union Commission is supporting the African Member States and the Region Economic Communities to strengthen and accelerate effective governance and regulatory reforms promoting management practices that will increase competition and attract private investments in the development of the energy sector.
On his part, Deputy Vice Chancellor Research, University of Dar es Salaam, Prof.Cuthbert Kimambo said despite the fact that the region is endowed with various energy resources most of which have not been well developed. He called for the region to take advantage of the various energy resources available to enhance access to modern energy services through renewable and sustainable solution.
The Training of Trainers Workshop on Small Hydropower Development funded by Italian government saw 12 participants from EAC Partner States who participated in the workshop being awarded certificate for completing the programme.
At the close of business today Friday 16th December, 2016, the offices of the EAC Organs and Institutions will be closed to allow the staff to be with their Families to rest and rejuvenate during the End/New Year Festive Seasons. The Offices will re-open on 9th January 2017. A skeleton staff will remain behind to run the offices.
The Secretary General of the East African Community, Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko has sent a message of congratulations to all staff of the Organs and Institutions for their dedication during the year 2016. At the same time, Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko is commiserating with all those who had problems of one kind or another in the course of the year, and, in particular, expresses his most heartfelt condolences to all those who lost their loved ones.
“As a result of your strong commitment, passion and dedication to the regional integration agenda, we have witnessed a lot of developments and achievements at individual and corporate levels”, notes Amb. Mfumukeko.
The Secretary General notes that several reforms, which he instituted in the Organs and Institutions aimed at cost reduction in the EAC projects and programmes early this year, were already showing positive developments. He says EAC has reduced its travel expenditures by 28% between May and November 2016, compared to 23% between May and November 2015.
The travel expenditure during May-November 2015 was US$ 9,905,244, and the same expenditure during May-November 2016 is US$ 7,160,279, making a saving of approximately US$ 2.75m.
On behalf of the EAC Organs and Institutions, the Secretary General wishes all a Happy Christmas and Prosperous New Year!
A regional consultative meeting to finalize draft EAC Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Bill is ongoing in Nairobi, Kenya. The meeting, which was convened by the EAC Secretariat and the USAID East Africa Trade and Investment Hub, is being attended by Partner States’ experts in trade, agriculture, health, livestock, food security, standards, legal, regional integration, and other stake holders.
Presiding over the opening session, the EAC Deputy Secretary General in-charge of Productive and Social Sectors, Hon. Christophe Bazivamo, highlighted the growing importance of sanitary and phytosanitary measures and noted that SPS had become an important topic of debate in international trade as well as regional integration.
Hon. Bazivamo informed the participants that the fundamental importance of SPS matters is linked mainly to Agriculture and trade in agricultural products, which is the mainstay of the economies of EAC Partner States. The EAC official acknowledged that agricultural trade continues to represent a notable portion of intra-EAC total trade flows and that there was enormous potential to increase and urged the EAC Partner States to adequately address and enforce issues around SPS measures and standards.
Taking stock of the progress, Hon. Bazivamo commended the EAC Secretariat, Partner States and non-state actors for the progress made and milestones reached in 2016. He noted that following adoption of the SPS Protocol in 2013; a strong foundation for supporting implementation of the Protocol had been laid. This includes finalization of SPS measures and setting in motion the process of developing SPS Bill. The SPS Bill is expected to facilitate effective implementation and enforcement of the SPS Protocol in the entire Community.
Hon. Bazivamo commended USAID East Africa Office for their sustained efforts in supporting Regional Integration and USAID East Africa Trade and Investment Hub for supporting the EAC SPS agenda.
A Seminar themed Implementing the African Union (AU) Declaration on Land: The Role of Regional Economic Communities, organized by the EAC Secretariat in collaboration with the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) was held on 7th December 2016 at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
The seminar was held back to back to Sessions of the Ordinary Meeting of the African Union (AU)/UNECA Land Policy Initiative (LPI) Steering Committee that met on 6th December 2016. Prior to the LPI Steering Committee meeting, an experts planning and review meeting was held in the same venue from 4th - 5th December 2016.
All the meetings were hosted by the EAC and marked the first meetings of LPI Implementing Partners and Steering Committee in the EAC as a Regional Economic Community (REC).
The seminar, which was attended by officials from the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, African Union Commission, Land Policy Initiative Secretariat, and the EAC Secretariat, aimed at raising awareness on the AU agenda on land and the mandate of the RECs/EAC in this regard; and draw lessons from existing LPI/REC partnerships for possible consideration to enhance technical and financial support to implement AU Declaration on Land, by the Community.
Addressing participants at the official opening of the meeting, the EAC Director of Productive Sectors, Mr. Jean Baptiste Havugimana, commended the ongoing continental efforts to ensure successful implementation of the LPI and informed the delegates that under the regional integration process, the EAC Partner States had taken initiatives to develop land Policies and Acts with the view to address land challenges in the region. He said land problems including access and ownership were presenting challenging situations in the region.
At regional level, the Director noted that land issues were being addressed as part of natural resources in general under Chapter 19 of the EAC Treaty where Partner States agreed to take concerted measures to foster cooperation in the joint and efficient management and sustainable utilization of natural resources within the Community, and to harmonize their laws and policies on Natural Resources Management.
On her part, the Director of Agriculture from African Union Commission, Dr. Janet Edeme, informed the delegates that the Land Policy Initiative was established in 2006 as a joint initiative of the African Union Commission (AUC), the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), and the African Development Bank (AfDB).
She said the AU Heads of State and Government, through a Declaration on Land Issues and Challenges in Africa, during the Thirteenth Assembly of the African Union, in Sirte, Libya, in July 2009, launched the Framework and Guidelines on Land Policy in Africa.
“The AU Declaration on Land Issues and Challenges calls on RECs to appropriately capture and address issues of land policies within their respective common frameworks. Two broad expected outputs from RECs are Land mainstreamed in REC programs and plans; and Land mainstreamed in National Governments Plans and Strategies”, affirmed the AUC Director of Agriculture.
The Chief of LPI Secretariat, Dr. Joan Kagwanja, highlighted progress made in implementing the Land Policy Initiative in support of efforts to mainstream land governance in key African institutions. Dr. Joan Kagwanja disclosed that the LPI Secretariat was ready to support EAC in implementing the LPI, particularly through capacity building in mainstreaming of Land in EAC projects and programmes.
LPI Secretariat further pledged to support the EAC Secretariat in different aspects including undertaking more assessments to understand the land issues in the EAC Partner States and to develop areas that need harmonization, operationalization and establishment of a monitoring framework for mutual recognition agreement for Land Surveyors and Land Valuers, and support to Partner States in completing the land registration and establishment of efficient land administration systems which is very key in the management of conflicts over land and its associated natural resources.
Parliament of Uganda are the new champions of football. Uganda beat Parliament of Burundi 7-6 in penalties a scintillating final played at the Mbaraki Sports Ground, over the weekend.
Both teams drew 0-0 in regular time leading to the taking of spot kicks to decide the winner. Even the regular five a piece did not decide the winner with each side losing a spot-kick. Eventually, Hon Peter Ogwang’s sudden death spot kick beat the Burundi keeper, Hon Ibrahim Uwizeye to give Parliament of Uganda the trophy, they last won in 2014.
Both played displayed total attacking football with attacks and counter-attacks, the mainstay of the game. Uganda came close to scoring in the second-half but star striker, Muhammad Nsereko chipped the ball over the bar with the Burundi Goalkeeper well beaten.
In netball, Parliament of Uganda beat Parliament of Tanzania 38-29 to retain the title for a second year running. The third place went to Parliament of Burundi who beat EALA 30-19.
In men’s Volleyball, Parliament of Kenya dethroned former Champions, Parliament of Rwanda 2 sets to 0 (30-28 and 25-20).Parliament of Uganda took third place after dispatching EALA.
In women’s volleyball, Parliament of Rwanda were declared champions after defeating Parliament of Kenya 2 sets to 0 (25-19 and 25-19). Parliament of Tanzania clinched the third place after beating EALA 2 sets to 0 (25-9 and 25-12).
Parliament of Uganda were declared the best overall team. Parliament of Uganda also took the tug of War titles in both men and women’s categories while Parliament of Burundi were awarded for been the most disciplined team in the entire tournament
Parliament of Kenya also bagged the golf trophy while Hon Peter Mathuki of EALA was feted for being the best golfer.
