East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, 14th March, 2018:
The East African Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (EACREEE), in collaboration with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the EAC Secretariat, the Austrian Development Agency (ADA), Sustainable Energy For All (SEforALL) and the Ministry of Infrastructure of the Republic of Rwanda (MININFRA) are jointly organizing the Sustainable Energy Forum for East Africa 2018 in Kigali Rwanda.
Hosted by the government of Rwanda from 19th to 21st March 2018, the Forum aims to foster economic transformation of the EAC Partner States through equitable access to sustainable energy for all. It is further hoped that it will forge effective partnerships for achieving Sustainable Development Goal- 7 targets - Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all - in the EAC Partner States by the year 2030.
Energy is essential in the running of daily domestic activities and operation of industry. Availability of sufficient, reliable and affordable energy is crucial for the functioning of the economies of the EAC Partner States. As a service and productive sector, energy plays a catalytic role in stimulating investments and higher levels of productivity. Article 101 of the Treat for the Establishment of the EAC calls for the EAC Partner States to explore measures to supply affordable energy to the people of the region while taking into account the protection of the environment.
The Forum will provide a platform for stakeholders to discuss strategies on the harmonization of renewable energy and efficient energy (RE & EE) policies, upscaling financing in RE & EE projects and technologies, as well as exchange knowledge, experiences and inform about ongoing and planned regional programmes. In addition, the Forum seeks to strengthen the regional network and provide a platform for knowledge- and experience sharing.
The Forum will bring together policy makers, experts, civil society and private sector representatives and development partners to share best practices, identify opportunities and challenges, and find solutions to the energy challenges in East Africa. These include EAC Secretary General Amb. Libérat Mfumukeko; Sustainable Energy for All CEO, Rachel Kyte; UNIDO Director of Energy, Tareq Emtairah; Austrian Development Agency Managing Director, Martin Ledolter; International Solar Alliance (ISA) Director General, Upendra Tripathi; and International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) Deputy Director General, Sakari Oksanen among others.
The 2018 edition of the Sustainable Energy Forum will focus on the following seven thematic areas: (i) Access to Energy; (ii) Roadmap of a Sustainable Energy future for East Africa; (iii) Financing Sustainable Energy projects in the EAC; (iv) Energy and Gender in the EAC region; (v) Sustainable City development in the region; and (vi) Geothermal Energy.
Follow the conversation online Twitter: #SEF4EA Facebook: #SEF4EA
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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 14, 2018:
Speaker of EALA, Rt Hon Martin Ngoga has pledged EALA’s continued collaboration with respective Partner States’ Parliaments to bring integration closer to the people. This, the Speaker says is not just an obligation as stipulated for under the Treaty for the Establishment of the EAC but a concomitant desire by the Assembly to ensure citizens fully embrace the economic bloc. To this extent, Rt Hon Ngoga says deeper and more frequent consultation with respective Partner States’ Parliamentary Committees is of the essence.
The Speaker made the remarks while meeting separately with two key Parliamentary Committees of the Parliament of Uganda and Parliament of Kenya respectively.
At the meeting with Uganda’s Parliamentary Committee on Commissions, Statutory Committees and Public Enterprises (COSASE), the Speaker reiterated the need for effective oversight of public enterprises and corporations saying such institutions contributed to the success or failure of governance and in the utilization of efficient public resources for economic prosperity.
The leader of the delegation, Hon Hood Katuramu reiterated the need for the pursuit of monetary policy in the region, and lauded EALA for the decision to table the East African Monetary Institute Bill, 2017 and the EAC Statistics Bureau Bill 2017, both of which sailed through the First Reading at the recent Sitting in Kampala (2nd Sitting of the 1st Session). Hon Katuramu further termed peace and security as the hallmark for progress saying it would enable the region to think about progress. The Meeting was attended by eight Members of the Committee and two staff Members.
The Speaker also held consultation with the Select Committee of the Regional Integration Committee of the Kenya National Assembly. Senator Janet Ongera led the delegation. The Speaker informed Members that EALA had continued in its quest to pass relevant legislation that strengthen the integration process and said the Parliaments were key stakeholders to be consulted at the public hearings and prior to enactment of Bills.
The Members of the Parliamentary Committees who are in Arusha to familiarize themselves with the work of EALA are also expected to meet with different EALA Committees. The Committee from the Parliament of Uganda has met with the EALA Accounts Committee and the Committee on General Purpose. The Committee from the Parliament of Kenya will also interface with the Committee on Regional Affairs and Conflict Resolution as well as consultation with the Deputy Secretary General, Political Federation.
Article 65 of the Treaty for the Establishment of the EAC espouses the enhanced relations between the Assembly and the National Parliaments of the Partner States.
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 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 Legislative Assembly, Arusha, March 13, 2018:
Two senior Ministers in the region were this afternoon sworn in as ex-Officio Members of EALA. Uganda’s 2nd Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for EAC Affairs, Republic of Uganda, Rt Hon Dr Ali Kirunda Kivejinja and the Cabinet Secretary for EAC and Northern Corridor Development in Kenya, Hon Peter Gatirau Munya, took the oath administered by the Clerk of EALA, before the EALA Speaker, Rt. Hon Ngoga K.Martin.
The Oaths of Allegiance to the House were administered in accordance with Rule 5 of the Rules of Procedure of the Assembly. The Rules of Procedure say in part 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”.
First to take the Oath of Allegiance was the Cabinet Secretary for East African Community and Northern Corridor Development in the Republic of Kenya, Hon Peter Gatirau Munya. The Cabinet Secretary was ushered into the House by Hon Mpuru Aburi and Hon Abdikadir Aden.
Hon Peter Gatirau Munya was sworn in as Cabinet Secretary for EAC and Northern Corridor in the Republic of Kenya on February 16th, 2018 following his appointment by H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta. Prior to his appointment as Cabinet Secretary, Hon Munya served as the first Governor of Meru County, where he was credited with many firsts among them, encouraging investment in sectors providing stable market to the local farming, creating employment and provision of vital services to the local business community.
As Governor, Hon Munya also served as the second Chairman of the Council of Governors. He previously served as a Member of Parliament for Tigania East Constituency in Meru County (2002-2007) and as Leader of the Party of National Unity (PNU). In December 2007 while serving in his second term as MP, Hon. Peter Gatirau Munya was appointed the Assistant Minister, East African Community, where he called for expansion of roads, improvement of existing harbours and building of new ports.
Hon Munya holds a Master’s Degree in International Law (International Economic Integration Law) obtained from University of Brussels in 1995 and a second Master’s Degree in Law (Public Law) obtained from the University of Georgia, USA. He is a holder of a Bachelor of Law degree (LLB Hons), from the University of Nairobi.
On his part, Hon Dr Ali Kirunda Kivejinja was led in by Hon George Odongo and Hon Rose Akol. He was appointed to cabinet by H.E. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni in November 2015 and then re-appointed in June 2016 following the elections in the country.
Rt Hon Kivejinja has served in several positions in the Government of the Republic of Uganda. In 1986, he was appointed Minister of Relief and Social Rehabilitation. He has also since served as Minister of Internal Affairs. Rt. Hon Dr Kivenjinja, who holds a MSc in Zoology has been Senior Presidential Advisor for Internal Affairs to President Museveni.
Rt Hon Dr Kivejinja, who has also served as the head of the Veterans’ League of the ruling NRM, is also author of Uganda: The Crisis of Confidence, a book about Uganda's political history. The Minister of State for EAC, Uganda, is Hon Julius Wandera who according to Article 48 of the Treaty may participate in the Sittings in absence of Rt. Hon Dr Kivejinja.
EALA Speaker, Rt Hon Ngoga K. Martin, hailed the swearing in of both Ministers and said EALA and the region stood to benefit a great deal from their experiences.
The Sitting today was also attended by legislators from the Republic of Kenya and Uganda who are currently in Arusha familiarizing with the activities of EALA and deepening the relationship with the National Parliaments. Kenya’s Regional Integration Committee is headed by Senator Janet Ongera while Hon Hood Katuramu leads the Committee on Commission, Statutory Committees and Public Enterprises (COSASE) from Parliament of Uganda.
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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.
The Inter-University Council for East Africa, Kampala, Uganda, 12th March 2018:
The Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA), the East African Business Council (EABC), the East African Science and Technology Commission (EASTECO), and the East African Development Bank (EADB) are jointly organizing the Academia-Public-Private Partnership (APPP) Forum and Exhibitions 2018.
The forum’s theme is The East African Common Higher Education Area: Opportunities for Industrialization through Academia-Public-Private Partnerships. The forum seeks to explore the status and potential for linkage between the three sectors in utilizing opportunities brought about by the East African Community (EAC) Common Market Protocol. The forum will take place at Catholic University of East Africa in Nairobi, Kenya on 21st to 22nd March 2018.
The APPP focuses on (i) enhancing linkage between the academia, research institutions, and public and private sector enterprises; (ii) promoting the utilization of higher education research output and innovations by the private sector/business community; (iii) promoting consultative engagement in curriculum and research development and implementation and (iv), jointly organizing dialogue forums and exhibitions. The pioneer Forum organizers – IUCEA and EABC were joined by EADB in 2013 and EASTECO in 2017.
The key themes of discussion will include Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) as a catalyst for transformation of the production systems and outputs, contribution of medium, small and macro enterprises (MSMEs) to ensure optimization of productive potential for sustainable economic growth; education ecosystems for knowledge management and information sharing within the EAC industrialization processes; role of centers-of-excellence initiatives in the EAC Partner States in industrialization; and the role of media and creative arts in promoting APPP and EAC integration.
The plenary and breakaway sessions will be run in parallel with exhibitions, in which products, systems and services emanating from research and innovations from universities, research institutions and the private sector will be showcased as a way of promoting and enhancing academia-public-private partnerships.
“Academic-Industry linkages have become critically important at this stage when we know that the convergence between academic, public and private institutions both productive and service providers can drive innovative development,” said Prof. Alexandre Lyambabaje, Executive Secretary, IUCEA. “Whereas publication of research findings in peer-reviewed journals is good, translating these research findings into innovative products and services that can be commercialized and used in everyday life is greater,” he said.
He encouraged academics, researchers, innovators, students, SMEs and all interested members of the public to attend the forum for sharing experiences and use the forum as opportunity for learning.
Registration for the Forum and Exhibitions
The Forum which has been in place since 2011, is open to all stakeholders in East Africa and beyond from the academia, public and private sectors, higher education institutions, Africa Centers of Excellence (ACEs), employers, manufacturers and other players in the wide industry value chain and business community in general, national commissions and councils for higher education and national commissions and councils for science and technology as well as organizations responsible for research, development and industrialization and the media. To register to participate as an exhibitor, visit the website www.iucea.org/forum. Deadline for registration is 5th March 2018.
For more information, please contact Ms. Wilhelmina Balyagati, Inter-University Council for East Africa, Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., +256774165467/ +255 788 497339
About the Organisers
Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA): IUCEAis an EAC Institution whose mission is to promote strategic and sustainable development of higher education systems and research for supporting East Africa’s socio-economic development and regional integration. www.iucea.org
East African Business Council (EABC): EABC is the umbrella organization of the Private Sector in East Africa and is at the forefront in facilitating Private Sector participation in the EAC integration process. EABC members are drawn from the Private Sector in the EAC Partner States, consisting of companies, business associations and government agencies involved in facilitating trade. www.eabc-online.com/
East African Development Bank (EADB). Established in 1967 under the Treaty of the then East African Co-operation that established the former EAC, and re-established under its own Charter in 1980, the role and under its mandate, EADB offers a broad range of financial services in the Member States of Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda, with an overriding objective of strengthening socio-economic development and regional integration. The four Member States own EADB. www.eadb.org
East African Science and Technology Commission (EASTECO): EASTECO is a specialized EAC Institution with a mandate to promote and coordinate the development, management and application of science and technology to support regional integration and socio-economic development. https://easteco.org/
East African Legislative Assembly, Arusha, Tanzania: 9 March, 2018:
Hon Dr Aman Walid Kabourou, former EALA Legislator who passed away this week at the Muhimbili Hospital in Dar es Salaam, was laid to rest this afternoon in Kigoma region.
EALA Speaker, Rt Hon Martin Ngoga, led EALA Members in condoling with the family and friends of the late Hon Dr Kabourou.
“We are saddened to hear of the passing of the late Hon Dr Kabourou. He was a great debater during the 2nd EALA (2006-2012) and contributed immensely to strengthening EALA and the regional integration process. We shall hold fond memories of Hon Dr Kabourou for his selfless contribution to EALA in particular and the EAC in general”, Rt Hon Ngoga said. “EALA Members and I join the family at this time of grief and pray to Allah, to strengthen them”, he added.
Hon Dr Kabourou was a Member of the 2nd EALA between the period of 2006-2012. At EALA, he served on the Accounts Committee and the Committee on Regional Affairs and Conflict Resolution. Prior to joining the regional Assembly, Hon Dr Kabourou was a Member of Kigoma Urban Constituency having been elected in 1995. He won the re-election in 2000 and 2005.
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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, Tanzania, 9th March, 2018:
The Republic of Korea (South Korea) is keen on helping Africa to improve its healthcare systems, a delegation of South Korean MPs who visited the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania, disclosed today.
Jun Hye Sook, a Member of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea, who led the delegation of three MPs who visited the EAC Secretariat, said that the country had put in place a programme to train African doctors, medical experts and nurses in South Korea.
“Korea is aiming at teaching doctors and medical experts who will return home to serve their people,” she said.
“We also have Korean experts coming to African to build capacity among their African counterparts,” adding that the country was also contributing towards the upgrading of health infrastructure on the continent.
Hon. Sook and her team who held talks with the EAC Secretary General, Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko, and other EAC officials, said South Korea was currently assisting in the construction of additional facilities at the Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Hon. Sook said her country was particularly keen on assisting African families who can’t afford to access quality healthcare due to abject poverty. The legislator said that Korean medicines were of world class quality.
The delegation, however, informed the Secretary General that Korean experts coming to East Africa were facing challenges in acquiring visas and work permits which would enable them to volunteer their services in the region.
Hon. Sook disclosed that South Korea had consistently increased her development assistance to Africa over the years with total aid quadrupling from US$107 million in 2008 to US$421 million in 2016.
“Most of the Korean aid to African countries goes towards water, health, education, energy and infrastructure development projects,” said the lawmaker.
In his remarks, EAC Secretary General Amb. Mfumukeko assured the Korean delegation that the Community would work closely with Partner States’ governments to address the issue of visa and work permits being encountered by Korean experts coming to the region to build capacity among doctors and other healthcare personnel.
He thanked South Korea for her generous assistance to the health sector, adding that the training of doctors, nurses and other medical specialists was crucial to the EAC.
“We have an ongoing programme for training of doctors, medical experts and nurses in Nairobi and Kampala. We also have programmes for strengthening the capacity of medical testing laboratories in the region. Also high on our agenda are vaccination programmes and manufacture of pharmaceuticals,” said Amb. Mfumukeko.
The SG said that the Community was keen on decentralizing health facilities from the Partner States capitals to secondary cities.
The SG said that East Africa looks up to Korea as an inspiration for development particularly in industrialization. He urged Koreans to seek partnerships and invest in the region noting that East Africa was ready to work with Korea in skills development and technology transfer.
He informed the Korean delegation that the Community had unveiled its 5th Development Strategy two weeks ago, adding that among the highlights in the Strategy are industrial development through increased investment, skills and technology transfer, and the creation of employment for the youth.
Also in the Korean delegation were MPs Kim Gyu Hwan and Song Ok-Joo and Ms. Jiin An, the First Secretary and Deputy Chief of Mission at the Korean Embassy in Dar es Salaam.
Amb. Mfumukeko was accompanied at the meeting by Eng. Steven Mlote, EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Planning and Infrastructure, Ms. Suma Mwakyusa, Principal International Relations Officer, Mr. Julius Birungi, the Partnership Fund Manager, and Ms. Beata Mukabaranga, Principal Resource Mobilization Officer.
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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 Court of Justice Arusha, 8th March 2018:
The First Instance Division of the East African Court of Justice (EACJ) today struck out an Application filed by one Rashid Salum Adiy and 39,999 others Zanzibar Citizens versus the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar, Chief Secretary of Revolutionary Council of Zanzibar and United Republic of Tanzania others.
The Application was seeking the EACJ to allow the case challenging the legality of the Union of Tanzania, to be heard in Zanzibar. This meant that the EACJ would shift its base from its headquarters in Arusha to Zanzibar for the hearing of the case.
Rashid Salum Adiy and 39,999 others Zanzibari Citizens had earlier filed the case before the First Instance Division challenging the Union of Zanzibar with the mainland under the United Republic of Tanzania. The Respondents to the case were the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar, the Chief Secretary Revolutionary Council of Zanzibar, the United Republic of Tanzania.
The Court in its ruling read by the Principal Judge, Justice Monica Mugenyi, said that, “We have carefully listened to both parties, we are concerned by the lacklustre and unprofessional manner in which the Applicants have approached so serious the matter.”
Further the Court said that, the Applicants purported to file a notice of appointment of an agent while knowing that it was premised on unregistered and therefore defective Power of Attorney.
“We find this not to be only the waste of the Court’s time and occasioning undue delay of the hearing of the matter, but also find it to be abuse of the Court’s process,” said Justice Mugenyi, for the bench. The Court therefore ruled that under Rule 47 (1) (a) and (c) of the Court Rules of Procedure, it had dismissed the application with no costs.
Before the ruling, there were arguments by the Representatives of the Attorney General of Zanzibar and URT, submitting that the Applicants have shown lack of seriousness in this important case which is of a public interest and that it shows disrespect of the Court and waste of its time.
Mr. Rashid Salum Adiy (Applicant) who appeared in person with other few Applicants in court had earlier filed with the Court a notice of appointment of an Agent which Court rejected because it was not supported by the valid Power of Attorney. The Applicant also attempted to use Swahili language in Court which court interpreted as against Article 46 of the Treaty which provides for English as the official language of the Community.
The other Applicants present in Court were Suleyman Mustafa, Khamis Hassan Hamad with the Purported Agent by the name Japhet Chidzipha Chigumba. While the representatives of the Respondents were Mzee Ali Haji, Deputy Attorney General of the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar, Alesia A. Mbuya Principal State Attorney & Asst. Director Attorney General and Constitutional Affairs, Mark Mwambo, Principal State Attorney and others.
All appeared before Hon. Justices: Monica Mugenyi (Principal Judge), Fakihi Jundu and Dr Charles Oyo Nyawello all of the First Instance Division.
Notice for Editors:
Rule 47 (1) (a) and (c) provides that;
(1) The Court may, on application of any party, strike out or expunge all or part of a pleading or other document, with or without leave to amend, on the ground that the pleading or other document—
(a) may prejudice or delay the fair trial of the case; or
(C) is an abuse of the process of the Court.
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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.
East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, 8th March, 2018:
The Secretary General of the East African Community (EAC) Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko concluded a one-day working visit to the Republic of Kenya yesterday 7th March, 2018.
During the visit, the Secretary-General met and held talks with the newly appointed EAC and Northern Corridor Cabinet Secretary, Mr Peter Munya at the Ministry's Head Office, the Cooperative Bank Building, Haile Selassie Avenue.
The objective of the visit was to brief the newly appointed EAC and Northern Corridor Cabinet Secretary, Mr Peter Munya on the status of the EAC integration process, the key issues around the Northern Corridor infrastructural projects and other useful insights into the integration process.
Amb. Mfumukeko and his host discussed in details on the key issues of integration, including reform efforts at the Secretariat, and key achievements so far realized along the integration journey.
The two officials also discussed the progress so far made under the EAC Common Market, especially cross border movement and trade; regional infrastructural development , updates on implementation of the Customs Union and Monetary Union Protocols as well as the planned official launching of the Namanga One Stop Boarder Post on 20th April, 2018.
The Cabinet Secretary commended the good organization of the just ended EAC Summit of the Heads of States and the Joint EAC Heads of State Retreat on Infrastructure and Health Financing and Development, the work done by EAC to increase support by development partners to the EAC as well as the efforts to reduce operation cost at the EAC Secretariat
The Secretary General was accompanied by his Deputies Eng Steven Mlote in charge of Planning and Infrastructure, and Mr. Charles Njoroge, in charge of Political Federation.
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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 7, 2018:
The East African Legislative Assembly has passed a resolution granting leave to Hon. Fred Mukasa Mbidde and any other Member of the Assembly who may want to intervene, and/or appoint lawyers to represent it in the case Reference No. 02 of 2018 in the East African Court of Justice (EACJ). In the same vein, the Assembly further agreed that Hon Mbidde makes use its records at the Court for the Reference which is challenging the election of the Speaker.
The motion moved by Hon Mbidde himself, received support as the House convened this morning. Reference No. 02 of 2018 filed by the Attorney General of the Republic of Burundi versus the Secretary General of the Community is challenging the election of the Speaker done in December 2017.
Hon Mbidde stated in his Motion that EALA duly met from 15th - 23rd December 2017 to perform its inaugural activities in line with the provisions of the Rules of Procedure of the Assembly, specifically Rules 4, 5, and 6 that concern the notification of the First Sitting of a new Assembly (Rule 4), List of Members and Administration of Oath (Rule 5) and Election of Speaker (Rule 6).
The Assembly was further told the matters raised in the Reference before Court touch on the sanctity of the Assembly within its jurisdiction and therefore it should be well represented in Court, the absence of which may lead to misrepresentation of the Assembly.
The legislator sought permission from the Assembly as is stipulated in the Act and attendant EALA Rules of Procedure. Article 40 of the Treaty and Section 20(1) of the Assembly Powers and Privileges Act 2003 states thus:
“Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law, no Member or Officer of the Assembly and no person employed to take minutes or record evidence before the Assembly or any Committee shall, except as provided in this Act, give evidence else-where in respect of the contents of such minutes or evidence or of the contents of any document laid before the Assembly or such a Committee, as the case may be, or in respect of any proceedings or examinations held before the Assembly or such a Committee, as the case may be without the special leave of the Assembly first had and obtained in writing”;
The Rules of Procedure of the Assembly, (Rule 23) further stipulate the manner and processes through which Journals and Records of the House, including all papers and accounts presented to or belonging to the House, are kept, processed or transmitted only under the express leave of the House, or order of the Speaker.
Several Members rose in support of the Resolution before it was put to a vote. Hon George Odongo reminded the Members that EAC citizens are expecting a lot from the legislators and urged the House to move on with haste.
Hon Fatuma Ibrahim remarked that the House had elected its Speaker and therefore supported the Motion to grant the mover of the Resolution leave to defend the Assembly in the Reference. Others who rose in support were Hon Kasamba Mathias, Hon Dennis Namara who said it was necessary to support the Motion in line with the decision (election of Speaker) in December 2017.
Hon. Rose Akol, called for clarity with respect to who will represent EALA to avoid situation of misrepresentation of facts while Hon. Simon Mbugua urged Members to continue with the House business before it in its quest to be advocates of integration.
Hon. Mary Mugyeni also supported the motion. Prior to the motion by Hon Mbidde, the Assembly moved a motion under Rule 30(d) and the corresponding Rule 84(1) on suspension of a rule and in this particular case that on Rule 12 on quorum of the House. The motion was moved by Hon Chris Opoka and seconded by many Members including Hon Susan Nakawuki, Hon Abdikadir Aden, Hon Fatuma Ibrahim among others. Only two Members from the Burundi Chapter, Hon Sophie Nsavyimana and Hon Christopher Nduwayo were in the House then.
Yesterday, the First Instance Division of the EACJ convened and struck out the Application No 3 of 2018, arising from Reference No 2 of 2018, filed by the Attorney General, Republic of Burundi, seeking Court’s order to stay recognition of the Speaker of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA). A media release dispatched by the EACJ stated a three Judge Bench (Honorable Judges Lady Justice Monica Mugenyi (Principal Judge), Justice Isaac Lenaola (Deputy Principal Judge), and Justice Fakihi A Jundu) in their Ruling, reiterated that the Application had since been overtaken by events and that the real dispute would be conversed in the substantive Reference.
According to the media dispatch, the Court added that though Counsel for the Applicant (Burundi) did understand that an order for non-recognition of the Speaker entails suspension of the Assembly, that it was neither argued that/ nor the Assembly was an issue in the matter, that it is the view of the Court that the Office of the Speaker is the issue in the Application and that the holder thereof has since duly commenced his functions.
“The Court therefore struck out the Application and ordered that the Reference (main case) challenging the entire elections process of Speaker of the Assembly be heard expeditiously”, the statement from the EACJ, said in part.
Meanwhile, the House resumes on March 13th, 2018 with Committee Sittings resuming tomorrow, through to Monday, March 1th, 2018, in the interim.
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For more information, please contact:
Bobi Odiko Senior Public Relations Officer East African Legislative Assembly Arusha, Tanzania Tel: +255-27-2508240 Fax: +255-27-2503103 Cell: +255-787-870945, +254-733-718036 Email: BOdiko [at] eachq.org Web: www.eala.org
About the East African Legislative Assembly:
The East African Legislative Assembly is the Legislative Organ of the East African Community. Its Membership consists of a total of 62, of whom 54 are elected Members (9 from each Partner State) and eight ex-officio members (the Ministers responsible for EAC Affairs from the Partner States, the Secretary General of the Community and the Counsel to the Community).
The East African Legislative Assembly has legislative functions as well as oversight of all East African Community matters. The enactment of legislation of the Community is 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.
East African Court of Justice Arusha, 7th March 2018:
The First Instance Division resumed its March sessions and struck out the Application filed by the Republic of Burundi, seeking Court’s order to stay recognition of the Speaker of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA). The Court in its Ruling said that the Application has been overtaken by events and that the real dispute will be conversed in the substantive Reference.
The Court added that though Counsel for the Applicant (Burundi) did understand that an order for none recognition of the Speaker entail suspension of the Assembly, that it was neither argued nor the Assembly was an issue in the matter, that it is the view of the Court that the office of the Speaker is the issue in the Application and that the holder thereof has since duly commenced his functions.
The Court therefore struck out the Application and ordered that the Reference (main case) challenging the entire elections process of Speaker of the Assembly be heard expeditiously.
Before the ruling was delivered, Court also had disallowed the Application filed by Hon. Mukasa Fred Mbidde, seeking to amend his application to join the matter as an intervener opposing the Applicant instead of joining as amicus curiae (friend of the Court). Hon .Mbidde before had applied to join the matter an amicus curiae, however he was changing the position from amicus curiae to intervener because he has interest in case him being an EALA Member which the Court declined to allow and he later withdrew because he would not proceed without amendments.
This case is the 1st one being filed by a Partner State against the Community, under Article 28 which provides mandate to Partner States to file a case to Court. All the cases the Court has handled are matters brought by Individuals or None Governmental Organizations (NGOs) or the Bar Associations under Article 30 of the Treaty (Natural or Legal person).
The Republic of Burundi in the Reference is challenging the election of the Speaker of EALA, arguing that, the Assembly did not follow Rule 12 of the Rules of Procedure of the Assembly, which requires the quorum of one third (1/3) of the elected Members from each Partner State, yet Burundi and the United Republic of Tanzania did not participate in the elections. Burundi is therefore asking court to declare that the election violated rule 12 (1) of EALA Rules of Procedure and order for re-election of the Speaker in accordance with the Rules of procedure.
The matter was brought before Honorable Judges Lady Justice Monica Mugenyi (Principal Judge), Justice Isaac Lenaola (Deputy Principal Judge), and Justice Fakihi A .Jundu,
Notice for Editors
Rt. Hon Martin Ngoga (current Speaker) from the Republic of Rwanda who was elected Speaker of EALA on 19th December 2017. Rt Hon Ngoga polled 33 votes in the second round of voting against Hon. Leontine Nzeyimana of Burundi who amassed 3 votes and Hon Adam Kimbisa of the United Republic of Tanzania did not receive any vote. Rt. Hon. Ngoga replaced Hon. Daniel Kidega from the Republic of Uganda whose term expired. According to the Treaty, the position of the Speaker of EALA is rotational.
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.
