East African Community Secretariat, Arusha, Tanzania, 23rd March, 2018:
Intra-African trade is extremely low and currently accounts for only 10% of all commerce on the continent, Uganda’s Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Dr. Ruhakana Ruganda has said.
Dr. Rugunda called for concerted efforts between African governments and the private sector to enable the continent attain its development objectives.
Dr. Rugunda said that doing business as blocs was increasingly becoming the norm as evidenced by the signing earlier this week in Kigali, Rwanda of the Continental Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) by the leaders of 44 African countries.
Dr. Rugunda said that the CFTA, which will come into force within six months, would increase prosperity for 1.2 billion Africans, adding that it was a true learning experience for businesses across the globe.
The Prime Minister was speaking during the official opening session of the East African Business Council (EABC) 20th anniversary celebrations in Nairobi, Kenya. The PM represented President Yoweri Museveni at the event.
Dr. Rugunda hailed EABC for striving to see to it that regional integration process is achieved with meaning and tangible results for the citizens of the East African Community (EAC).
“Since the inception of the EABC, there has been progress towards achieving the integration process through trade and policy reviews, tax harmonization, discussions on the Northern Corridor, stakeholder engagements to improve the free movement of goods and services within the region,” he said.
Dr. Rugunda noted that the region still faces many challenges along the route to full integration including the need for full harmonization of policies and laws.
“This is a process that is taking time for all Partner States but a lot of progress has been made in this direction. We have to keep the momentum,” said the PM.
In his remarks, Kenya’s Minister for Cooperatives, Trade and Industry, Mr. Adan Mohammed, who represented President Uhuru Kenyatta, said that the private sector in East Africa had also contributed to the challenges to intra-regional trade including non-tariff barriers to trade.
Mr. Mohammed said that the private sector had brought about NTBs by pushing their respective home governments to push for national interests as opposed to the regional integration agenda for the sake of preserving their markets.
He described the EAC as the most integrated regional economic bloc in terms of trade and infrastructure development, adding that the Community needs to stick together when negotiating trade agreements with other regional economic communities because there is strength in numbers.
Speaking at the event, Kenya’s Minister for EAC and Northern Corridor Development, Hon. Peter Munya, said the region faced a challenge in the implementation of agreed protocols.
“National laws need to be aligned to regional protocols. Partner States also need to push for law reforms back home. The other alternative is to pass overarching laws at the regional level to replace existing legislation. This has been done with success in the European Union,” said Hon. Munya.
Hon. Munya called for a review of the Common External Tariff and efforts to make the EAC Single Customs Territory work better, adding that the Community may need to establish a regional institution to make this possible.
He said that the region was currently a net importer of various commodities and advised that governments should prioritize industrialization. He said that Kenya had prioritized industrialization under its Big Four Agenda and particularly singled out the manufacture of apparels and local motor vehicle assembly.
EABC Chairman Jim Kabeho emphasized the importance of local content especially in huge infrastructure projects being undertaken by governments in the region.
“The local business sector should be allowed to participate in major projects including at the inception. All materials for these projects like cement and steel should be sourced locally rather than abroad. China currently dominates the supply of construction materials. Sourcing materials locally will lead to expanded sales as well as capacity building for local businesses,” said Kibeho.
On agriculture, Mr. Kibeho said that though EAC Partner States’ economies were agriculture-based this was not reflected in their budgets with minimal allocations going to the sector.
EAC Secretary General Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko disclosed that EAC and EABC had worked closely over the years with both institutions benefitting from the synergies of working together.
Amb. Mfumukeko said that through this partnership, EAC and EABC had contributed towards the conclusion of several regional legal instruments such as the Customs Union, Common Market and Monetary Union Protocols, One Stop Border Posts Act, the Framework on the elimination of non-tariff barriers to trade, and development of trade standards.
Also present at the event was the Chairperson of the EAC Council of Ministers, Hon. Kirunda Kivejinja, who is also Uganda’s 2nd Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for EAC Affairs.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
The EABC is the apex body of business associations of the Private Sector and Corporates from the six EAC Partner States. EABC has 54 Associations and 108 Corporate Members. Among the associations area all the national Private Sector Apex Bodies; four manufacturers’ associations; five Chambers of Commerce; three Employer Associations; two Women Associations; two Bankers’ Associations, and; the Confederation and Informal Sector Associations of East Africa.
EABC is currently pursuing a Five-Point Regional Plan to promote East African trade and investment flows, namely:
Eliminate non-tariff barriers (NTBs);
Reform the EAC Common External Tariff (CET);
Improve regional infrastructure;
Fast-track liberalisation of intra-EAC services trade, and;
Promote local sourcing
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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, 21st March, 2018:
The EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Productive and Social Sectors Hon. Christophe Bazivamo, has called on development partners to support the EAC region in the implementation of bankable priority energy projects. He said this today during a roundtable meeting with the development partners on the sidelines of the ongoing Sustainable Energy Forum for East Africa in Kigali, Rwanda.
“This is a call for strong commitment to ensure that energy is available, accessible and the people of EAC enjoy it”, said Hon. Bazivamo.
“We need to to ensure energy is efficient and affordable to the citizens, and if we are to facilitate industrialization in the region, we need to elevate energy to a (human) Right for the people of the region,” Hon. Bazivamo added.
The Deputy Secretary General noted that there is need to come up with revolutionary concepts and approaches to implement projects that focus on enhancing access to energy. “It is important that we think of new ways to fast track the implementation of the various policies and strategies already developed,” he said.
Speaking at the same occasion, Mr. Robert Zeiner, Director, Austrian Development Agency noted that the Forum has provided an opportunity to establish a regional network. As partners in the effort to ensure access to energy in the East African region, he called upon the East African Governments to support the implementation of various energy policies and strategies. “We call upon political will as well as the precise identification of concrete steps towards achieving the set objectives,” he noted.
The Representative of Sustainable Energy for All, informed meeting that the institution was currently moving from designing and planning programmes and projects to creating investment for operationalization of bankable projects. " We are reaching out to all types companies, be it large, medium or small, we are also reaching out to Government to have their priority bankable projects financed for tangible impact," said Mikael Melin, Sustainable Energy for All Senior Energy Expert.
The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) further reaffirmed its commitment towards supporting the region’s energy agenda. Mr. Tareq Emtairah, Director, Energy Department UNIDO, said that UNIDO’s technical capacity and resources are available to respond to the requests of Partner States.
“It is our hope that the recommendations of the Forum will provide insight on the priority energy projects of the region and guide on where resources should be deployed,” reiterated Mr. Emtairah.
The meeting was attended by EAC, EACREEE, UNIDO, Austrian Development Agency (ADA), Sustainable Energy for All and International Solar Alliance (ISA).
NOTES FOR EDITORS
The Sustainable Energy Forum for East Africa 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, sustainable and modern energy for all - in the EAC Partner States by the year 2030.
The three day event has been organised by the East African Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (EACREEE), in collaboration with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, the EAC Secretariat, the Austrian Development Agency (ADA), Sustainable Energy For All (SEforALL) and the Ministry of Infrastructure of the Republic of Rwanda (MININFRA).
East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, 19th March, 2018:
The Minister of State for Infrastructure responsible for Energy, Water and Sanitation in the Republic of Rwanda, Hon, Germaine Kamayirese, has urged policy makers in the region and development partners to take advantage of the Sustainable Energy Forum for East Africa to forge effective partnerships for resource mobilization to facilitate the implementation of East African Community priority infrastructure projects including ensuring equitable access to sustainable energy for all.
Hon. Kamayirese, who was the chief guest at the official opening of the first Sustainable Energy Forum for East Africa at the Kigali Serena Hotel said that the Forum was yet another manifestation of how crucial renewable energy and energy efficiency were to transforming economies and livelihoods in East Africa.
The Minister called on EAC Partner States to do more to meet the region’s fast growing energy demands and extend modern energy services to more communities while also improving people’s health and ensuring long-term sustainability.
Delivering the keynote address, Ms. Rachel Kyte, Special Representative for the UN Secretary General and CEO of Sustainable Energy for All, noted that the indicators for sustainable energy over 111 countries worldwide showed that the average score for East Africa was 44 out of 100.
“This suggests there is still significant opportunity in the region, within the EAC Partner States, to strengthen the policy and regulatory framework and close the gaps in access; clean fuels for cooking; technologies for cooking, but also to step up the uptake of renewable energy into the mix,” said Ms. Kyte.
Ms. Kyte said that for the region to effectively harness sustainable energy, it will need to address three issues: to put energy efficiency at the forefront of sustainable energy discussions; accelerate national electrification planning, and the integration and implementation of the plans; and lastly, government, financial institutions and other financiers to explore ways to increase the flow of funding into the project to close the access gap.
On his part, Mr. Tareq Emtairah, the Director of the Department of Energy at the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), urged EAC Partner States to address the existing challenges in energy access and creating new opportunities for clean and efficient energy services are central to the rapid and vibrant industrial growth and economic development in the region.
“UNIDO sees the importance of linking the clean energy access agenda to industrial and economic development,” said Mr. Emtairah.
Speaking during the same occasion, the EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Productive and Social Sectors, Hon. Christophe Bazivamo, said that the EAC’s main focus in the energy sector was ensuring availability of sufficient, reliable, cost effective and environmentally friendly energy sources in the region to facilitate the broader EAC objectives of attracting investments and promoting competitiveness in trade.
“As expressed in the East African Industrialization Strategy (2012-2032), the EAC region has, as one of its targets, the diversification of the manufacturing base and raise local value-added content of resource-based exports to at least 40% by 2032. To achieve our industrialization targets, we need to accelerate access to sustainable energy and promote energy for productive uses,” said Hon. Bazivamo.
NOTES FOR EDITORS
The Sustainable Energy Forum for East Africa 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, sustainable and modern energy for all - in the EAC Partner States by the year 2030.
The three day event has been organised by the East African Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (EACREEE), in collaboration with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, the EAC Secretariat, the Austrian Development Agency (ADA), Sustainable Energy For All (SEforALL) and the Ministry of Infrastructure of the Republic of Rwanda (MININFRA).
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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, 19th March, 2018:
The Arusha Regional Commissioner, Mr Mrisho Gambo, has called for more sensitization on One Stop Border Posts (OSBP) to border communities in the East African Community in order to educate them on cross-border procedures under the OSBPs.
Mr. Gambo commended the establishment of the OSBPs which he said had made a big difference for citizens crossing national borders within the EAC by simplifying customs and immigration processes.
The Regional Commissioner made remarks over the weekend when he addressed thousands of border residents during a sensitization meeting on the OSBPs at Namanga town along the joint border of the United Republic of Tanzania and the Republic of Kenya. The sensitization forum which was organised by the EAC Secretariat with the support of the African Development Bank drew participation from residents of Arusha Region in Tanzania and Kajiado County in Kenya.
"The establishment of OSBP has tremendously promoted the movement of goods and services across borders and spurred intra-EAC Trade," added Hon Gambo.
On his part, the Kajiado County Commissioner, Mr. David Kipkemei, said one of the major non-tariff barriers impeding trade across the region was the lack of information, adding that traders struggle to find information regarding the goods and services allowed for trade in other Partner States.
Kipkemei said lack of information had left big loopholes for corruption to the detriment of traders as they endeavour to move their goods from one Partner State to the other.
He also commended the EAC Secretariat for conducting sensitization at the borders and called on Wananchi to embrace the education presented to them on the operations of OSBP to spur intra-EAC Trade.
The two leaders also took advantage of the gathering to respond on the nagging border issues between Tanzania and Kenya. The decision to engaged wananchi at the Namanga border on the challenges facing the two countries came after the agreement between Kenyan President H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta and his Tanzanian counterpart H.E. John Magufuli when they met in Kampala, Uganda in February 2018 and agreed that it was in the interest of both countries to solve the ongoing problems at the Namanga border.
The main objective of OSBPs is to facilitate trade and travel by reducing the number of stops made a border crossing thereby reducing the time required for clearance at the border.
To date, out of the 15 borders earmarked to operate as OSBPs, 12 have been completed and 10 are now operational. The completed OSBPs are: Gasenyi/Nemba, Ruhwa, Rusumo, Lunga Lunga/ Horohoro, Holili/Taveta, Kagitumba/Mirama Hills, Mutukula, Kabanga/Kobero, Malaba, Isebania/ Sirari, Busia and Namanga. Construction is on- going for the Katuna/Gatuna OSBP.
The 10 operational OSBPs are: Gasenyi/Nemba, Ruhwa, Rusumo, Holili/Taveta, Kagitumba/Mi- rama Hills, Mutukula, Kabanga/Kobero, Malaba, Busia and Namanga. However, OSBP operations at Ruhwa have been temporarily suspended.
Sensitization in Namanga and Kijiado County was attended by among others; Customs, Trade and Immigration border officials from both Tanzania and Kenya, District Commissioners from Longido, United Republic of Tanzania and Kajiado, Republic of Kenya, Members of Parliaments from Longido and Kajiado County and OSBP coordinators from Ministries of EAC, Tanzania and Kenya.
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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, Tanzania: March 15th 2018:
The Assembly is set to pick up and finalise nine pending bills which were not completed as at time the 3rd Assembly wound its work in June 2018.
In order to set the ball rolling, the House late yesterday passed a Resolution to save, retain and continue in the Assembly, Bills that were introduced by the 3rd Assembly. The Motion moved by Hon Fatuma Ndangiza, Chair of the Legal Rules and Privileges Committee, names the subsequent Bills as follows:
The East African Community Whistleblowers Bill, 2016
The East African Community Retirement Benefits for Specified Heads of Organs Bill, 2016
The East African Community Sexual and Reproductive Health, 2016
The East African Community Competition (Amendment) Bill, 2014
The East African Community Trade Negotiations (Repeal) Bill, 2014
The East African Community Youth Council Bill, 2017
The East African Community Cross Border Trade in Professional Services Bill, 2017
The East African Community Mining Bill, 2016
The East African Community Integration and Anti-Corruption Bill, 2016.
Hon Ndangiza reiterated that lapsing of business before a legislature at time of expiration is deeply embedded in the longstanding parliamentary principle that provides that one Parliament cannot bind another Parliament. However, Rule 94 of the Rules of Procedure provides for any Bill, motion of resolution that is left pending as at time of dissolution of the House if may be retained if a resolution of the House so moved is passed.
Meanwhile, the House has granted leave of absence to Hon Chris Opoka-Okumu to introduce a Private Members Bill entitled the EAC Customs Management Act (Amendment) Bill, 2018. The amendment of the Bill seeks to enhance and streamline purchase and use of exempt vehicles under the EAC.
The Motion was widely debated and received varied views during the debate.
Hon Dennis Namaara said the Motion was anchored on the need to provide flexibility with regards to movement for legislators and said it would result in efficiency for legislators.
Hon Abdikadir Ogle supported the move and said previous Members of the House had made similar requests in the past and that the mover should be granted the said opportunity to amend the Bill.
Uganda’s 2nd Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for EAC Affairs, Hon Dr Kirunda Kivejinja remarked that further consultation was vital. “The mover ought to have consulted with the Council of Ministers in advance”, Hon Dr Kirunda Kivejinja said adding that it was necessary for the Community to check if there were any financial implications. “We must be clear on this aspect,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.
The Counsel to the Community, Hon Dr Anthony Kafumbe remarked there was need for the mover of the Bill to consult further saying any amends to the fifth schedule of the Customs Management Act should be a preserve of the Council of Ministers.
Hon Susan Nakawuki reiterated that the Assembly was the legislative arm of the Community and had the powers to enact legislation. “Anything that needs legislation should pass through the legislature in order to embrace the doctrine of separation of powers”, she added. The legislator affirmed EALA was not trying to usurp the mandate of the Council of Ministers.
Hon Dr Jumanne Maghembe while supporting the motion reiterated that issue of purchase of two vehicles per Member was tricky and said more consultation was vital. “We must work closely with the Council of Ministers and Summit of Heads of State to pass bills that will see assent at the end of the day”, he reiterated.
Hon Mary Mugyenyi, Hon Dr Woda Odok Jeremiah, Hon Kim Gai and Hon Simon Mbugua said EALA was a House of making laws while Hon Noor Aden said the desire to amend the Bill was occurring as a result of convenience. Hon George Odongo said the Executive and the Legislature need to be seen to be acting in the best interest of East Africans while Hon Rose Akol remarked that it was necessary for the House to grant leave to the Member to present the Bill before ensuing debate can proceed.
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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, 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.
