East African Community Secretariat, Arusha, Tanzania, 11 June, 2018:
The EAC region is taking action to prevent future outbreaks of infectious diseases by strengthening its response capacity, supporting Partner States in their pandemic preparedness measures and preparing to test its readiness in practice. These efforts are in line with a new World Health Organization (WHO) guidance document that lists 5 out of the 6 East African Community (EAC) Partner States as priority countries regarding the risk of a spread of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
In its “Regional Strategic EVD Readiness Preparedness Plan”, WHO ranked Burundi, Rwanda, South Sudan and Tanzania as priority 2 and Uganda as priority 3 countries. The ratings are determined based on the countries’ proximity to DRC and the capacity of their health systems to cope with an Ebola outbreak. EAC Partner States share borders with the DRC, maintain direct flights and close trade relations and there is high border traffic. These factors have caused the EAC to be on high alert, and Partner States are implementing extensive readiness measures. To date, no cases of Ebola have been detected in the EAC region.
EAC preventive activities cover key technical areas listed in WHO’s new EVD Readiness Plan, such as multi-sectoral coordination, risk communications, social mobilisation and community engagement. The EAC has a regional contingency plan in place that reflects the multi-disciplinary One Health disease management approach and is currently developing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to translate the plan into action. The plan considers important lessons learned from East African experts who fought Ebola in West Africa. One of these lessons is that risk and crisis communication together with community engagement was a “game changer” in the response. Consequently, the EAC Secretariat together with the Partner States is currently developing a regional risk and crisis communication strategy and related SOPs.
Standard operating procedures will also be developed as a first step towards establishing a regional pool of rapidly deployable experts that build on the experience gathered in West Africa. The pool is expected to complement national rapid response teams during future outbreaks. A core team of multi-disciplinary experts will receive training in risk and crisis communication, and another core team will be trained as regional trainers in rapid risk assessment.
To test the successful implementation of the mentioned strategies, the functionality of the SOPs and the region’s improved capacities, the EAC together with the Partner States is preparing to conduct cross-border simulation exercises. They will also offer a unique opportunity to reveal the gaps that still need to be closed in joint efforts.
On behalf of the German Government, the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH through the “Support to Pandemic Preparedness in the EAC Region” project amongst other development partners supports the EAC Secretariat in its endeavour to strengthen its advisory and coordinating role for the Partner States in pandemic preparedness.
-ENDS-
For more information, please contact:
Mr Owora Richard Othieno Head, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Department EAC Secretariat Arusha, Tanzania Tel: +255 784 835021 Email: OOthieno [at] eachq.org
About the East African Community Secretariat:
The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organisation of five Partner States, comprising Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda, with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
The EAC Secretariat is ISO 9001:2008 Certified
Othieno Richard Owora
Principle Corporate and Communications Officer
East African Community Secretariat
Tel: +255 27 2162 100
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
East African Court of Justice Arusha, 11th June 2018: The East African Court of Justice has organized a three-day sensitization workshop for the Judges of the National Courts, State Attorneys and the Members of the Bar Association (Uganda Law Society) on the role of the Court in advancement of the East African Community integration agenda.
The workshop will be officiated by the Chief Justice of the Republic of Uganda, Justice Bart Katurebe on 13th June 2018, at the Judicial Studies Institute Nakawa.
During the workshop, there will be a number of paper presentations on the role of the judiciaries in East Africa in the integration process and the relationship of EACJ with National Courts, a paper that will be presented by the President of the Court (EACJ), Hon Justice Dr Emmanuel Ugirashebuja. Also, there will be a paper on the legal and Judicial framework of EAC and EACJ which will be presented by the Hon Justice Dr Charles Oyo Nyawello, the Jurisprudence of the Appellate Division done by Justice Geoffrey Mupere Kiryabwire of the EACJ Appellate Division as well as Justice of the Court of Appeal of Uganda. Justice Kiryabwire will also deliver a paper on the role of ICT in efficiency administration of Justice at the EACJ. Lastly there will be a paper on the jurisprudence of the EACJ First Instance Division and judicial responsibilities by the Deputy Registrar Her Worship Ms Geraldine Umugwaneza and the Research Officer of the Court.
The Court has held the same sensitizations in some of the Partner States like the Republic of South Sudan, Burundi and now Uganda and after will proceed to Rwanda and then later in Dar Es Salaam and Nairobi Kenya.
ENDS
For more information, please contact:
Yufnalis Okubo Registrar East African Court of Justice Arusha, Tanzania Tel: +255 27 2162149 mail: Okubo [at] eachq.org www.eacj.org
About the East African Court of Justice:
The East African Court of Justice (EACJ or ‘the Court’), is one of the organs of the East African Community established under Article 9 of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community. Established in November 2001, the Court’s major responsibility is to ensure the adherence to law in the interpretation and application of and compliance with the EAC Treaty.
Arusha is the temporary seat of the Court until the Summit determines its permanent seat. The Court’s sub-registries are located in the respective National Courts in the Partner States.
East African Legislative Assembly, Arusha, Tanzania: 12 June, 2018:The EALA Sittings have ended in Nairobi. Prior to adjournment, a Resolution moved by Hon Jean Claude Barimuyabo urging Partner States to ensure elections of youth to EALA and National Assemblies was withdrawn. This followed debate where majority of Members urged the mover of the Resolution to synchronise the same with the pending bill on Youth (EAC Youth Council Bill, 2017) currently before the House.
Hon Barimuyabo in his resolution had urged the EAC Partner States to allocate special slots for the youth in the election of Members of National Assemblies. The Member was concerned that neither the Treaty for the Establishment of the EAC nor the East African Legislative Assembly Election Act, 2011 in their current form provide for special slots for the youth to ensure that they are elected to the regional Assembly;
“Theyouth constitute 63% of the total population of the East African Community and as such it is important to have the representation of this sizeable percentage of the population at the East African Legislative Assembly and National Assemblies”, Hon Barimuyabo said.
However, during debate Hon Dr Abdallah Makame rallied for all special interest groups to be included in a Bill for more inclusivity while Hon Paul Musamali said the resolution could go a long way in enriching the pending Bill before the House.
Hon. Dr Maghembe remarked the Treaty under Article 51 provides for how Members and other special groups are elected to the House and suggested the need in future to increase number of slots in order to allow all the special groups to be represented.
Hon Mary Mugyenyi termed youth as very capable and urged them to compete for the available slots. Others who contributed to the debate were Hon Gideon Gatpan, Hon Sophie Nsavyimana, Hon Fancy Nkuhi, Hon Dr Gabriel Alaak and Hon Mathias Kasamba.
The EAC Youth Council Bill, 2017 moved by Hon Susan Nakawuki, is premised on Article 120 of the EAC Treaty and seeks to implement the EAC Youth Policy 2014 which is an integral part of the 4th EAC Development Strategy 2011/2012 – 2015/2016. The Bill recognises that Partner States have diverse laws and policies regarding the youth in their territories. The Bill which sailed through the First Reading of the Assembly in May 2017 attempts to uniformalise the laws and regulations pertaining to youth in the Community.
Meanwhile, the Assembly has adjourned and is proceeding on recess. All Committees shall however continue with planning of their annual plans for the Financial Year 2018/2019 until Thursday this week. The activities are expected to be the basis for the Planning Meeting for the next Financial Year at a date to be communicated.
- ENDS -
For more information, please contact:
Bobi Odiko Senior Public Relations Officer East African Legislative Assembly Arusha, Tanzania Tel: +255-27-2508240 Fax: +255-27-2503103 Cell: +255-787-870945, +254-733-718036 Email: BOdiko [at] eachq.org Web: www.eala.org
About the East African Legislative Assembly:
The East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) is the Legislative Organ of the Community and has a cardinal function to further EAC objectives, through its Legislative, Representative and Oversight mandate. It was established under Article 9 of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community.
East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania, 11th June 2018:
A four-day High Level Retreat themed Reflections on Experiences, Best Practices and Lessons Learned in Mediation, Negotiation and Dialogue Processes organized by the East African Community Secretariat kicks off from 12th to 15th June 2018, in Mombasa, Kenya.
The Retreat is part of EAC’s initiative to encourage a culture of reflective practice in mediation, negotiation and dialogue for resolving conflicts and restoration of sustainable peace and stability in the region.
Commenting ahead of the Retreat, the EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Political Federation, Mr. Charles Njoroge said “convening of the Retreat falls in line with the goal of strengthening the capacity of EAC Partner States officials and the Secretariat staff in mediation and preventive diplomacy, and is therefore a key component of the bloc's strategy to advance its peace and security agenda”.
He added that “Through this Retreat, it is envisaged that the EAC will contribute to a corpus of effectively qualified and well-informed Partner States’ and Secretariat officials who demonstrably understand mediation, negotiation and dialogue processes, and learn from past and current lessons to strengthen EAC's interventions.
Participants expected at the capacity building retreat include officials and Experts involved in mediation, negotiation and facilitation processes and researchers within the region, EAC Partner States delegates previously trained in mediation including Eminent Persons; representatives from the Civil Society, Private Sector, Inter-Religious Council, EAC Youth Ambassadors; and Representatives from the UN, AU/RECs and EU involved in mediation, negotiation, dialogue, conflict resolution and peace building initiatives, among others.
Notes to Editors
The East African Community (EAC) seeks to promote sustainable economic growth and socio-economic development through integration, good governance and durable peace and security. Its vision is one of a common feature in a regional community that will ensure economic well-being, improvement of the standards of living and quality of life, freedom and social justice and peace and security for the peoples of East Africa.
Almost two decades since the coming into force of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community (EAC), significant achievements have been made toward the realization of the goal of regional integration and the ultimate objective of political federation. Among others, the Establishment of the Customs Union, the Common Market, the signature of the Protocol for the Establishment of the Monetary Union, the adoption of a Strategy on Regional Peace and Security, the signature of a Protocol on Peace and Security, the adoption of a Counter-terrorism Strategy, the adoption of a Conflict Prevention Management and Resolution and an Early Warning Mechanisms, as well as the efforts leading to the establishment of EAC Political Federation are some of the key achievements.
However, progress in the region towards these objectives continues to be inhibited by persistent peace and security challenges, most of which exhibit a significant transnational dimension. These complex threats include violent and radical extremism, terrorism, identity and resource-based violent conflicts, governance challenges, intra and inter-state disputes, proliferation of rebel groups/ negative forces, trans-national and cross-border crimes, genocidal ideologies, human and drugs trafficking and poaching, among others.
These and many other challenges affecting the EAC region impinge on peace and security which according to Article 124 of the EAC Treaty is “a prerequisite to the achievement of the objectives of the Community”. They also stand in the way to regional social-economic and political progress. To this effect, the Revised EAC Strategy on Regional Peace and Security under Goal 14 “Operationalise the East African Community Conflict Prevention, Management and Resolution Mechanism” calls for the development of capacities to anticipate, mediate, negotiate and mitigate disputes and conflicts.
-ENDS-
For more information, please contact:
Mr Owora Richard Othieno Head, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Department EAC Secretariat Arusha, Tanzania Tel: +255 784 835021 Email: OOthieno [at] eachq.org
About the East African Community Secretariat:
The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organisation of five Partner States, comprising Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda, with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania, 11th June 2018:
The 11th meeting of the Sectoral Council on Agriculture and Food Security (SCAFS) is taking place from 11th to 16th June 2018 at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania. The SCAFS will review the progress made in the sector in implementing Council decisions and consider other issues of regional importance in the areas of Agriculture and Food Security.
The Sectoral Council will be held through the session of Senior Officials from 11th to 13th June, 2018; Session of Permanent/Principal /Under Secretaries on 14th June; and concludes with the Ministerial Session on 15th June 2018.
Since the last meeting of the Sectoral Council held in June 2017, several activities have taken place in implementing various projects and programmes under the sector. The 11th meeting of the Sectoral Council on Agriculture and Food Security (SCAFS) will consider the following items, among others:-
Progress Report on EAC Comprehensive Africa Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP) process;
EAC Regional Project on Aflatoxin Prevention and Control;
Status of implementation of EAC Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Protocol;
Harmonization of Farm Inputs;
EAC Food and Nutrition Security Strategy and Action Plan;
Challenges and Opportunities in Rice Value Chain;
EAC-FAO Project on Promoting Youth Employment in the Agricultural Sector;
Status of Livestock and Fisheries Development; and
Resource Mobilization and Partnerships.
Meanwhile, a High Level Forum on the Inaugural Biennial Report on the Implementation of the June 2014 AU Heads of State Malabo Declaration on Accelerated Agricultural Growth and Transformation for Shared prosperity and Improved Livelihoods is scheduled to take place on 16th June, 2018, at the Mount Meru Hotel in Arusha, Tanzania. At that Forum, the Best Youth Agripreneurs in the EAC will be recognized and awarded.
The Secretariat in collaboration with FAO embarked on a programme to promote youth employment in agriculture through the technical cooperation project dubbed: Promoting Youth Employment in the Agricultural Sector in East Africa. In the month of May 2018, the Secretariat with support from FAO sent 18 youth from six Partner States to Songhai Centre in Benin for a one month’s apprenticeship intended to build their agribusiness knowledge and practical skills in various agro-enterprises. The initiative has demonstrated that when youth are equipped with the right knowledge and skills, they are likely to operate successful agribusinesses.
-ENDS-
For more information, please contact:
Mr Owora Richard Othieno Head, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Department EAC Secretariat Arusha, Tanzania Tel: +255 784 835021 Email: OOthieno [at] eachq.org
About the East African Community Secretariat:
The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organisation of five Partner States, comprising Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda, with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
East African Court of Justice, Arusha, 6th June, 2018:
As the Court resumed its sessions this week, the First Instance Division on Tuesday, 5th June, 2018 allowed the Applicant, Mr. Hassan Basajjabalaba & Bassajabalaba Muzamiru (Ugandans), to amend their Application seeking Court to stop the government of Uganda from summoning them for investigation over a criminal case. The Applicants represented by their advocates in court made the request under Rule 48(a) of the Court Rules to amend their Application.
The Court on 24th April, 2018 had declined to grant ex parte orders (Order granted in the absence of the opposing party) saying that the orders issued by the Constitutional Court of Uganda were broad enough to cover the Applicant’s complains before it at the ex-parte stage and that it’s the enforcement of the said orders that the Applicants should pursue in the interim, rather than seek a re-issuing of the same orders by the EACJ without hearing the Respondent. “We say so guardedly and without in any way making a determinate finding on the merits of the Applicants’ case at the inter-partes stage (all parties in the case) hearing the Respondent” said the Court.
On 8th May 2013, the Applicants had obtained orders in Petition No.12 of 2013 at the Constitutional Court in Uganda, in which the Respondent (Government of Uganda) was prohibited from using the processes of any court, so as to initiate and prosecute the Applicants for any charges arising out of or in connection with the issues forming the subject matter of the criminal case mentioned earlier. The Constitutional Court also ordered that all pending charges and proceedings against the Applicant in the same criminal case No. 3 of 2013 be stayed.
The Application before EACJ was triggered by a letter dated 9th April 2018, requiring the Applicants to appear before the CID at Kibuli on 24th April 2018, to provide further information in the matter under investigation and facilitate the ongoing preparations for the hearing of the criminal case against them.
The Applicants were seeking ex-parte restraining orders directed at the Respondent (The Republic of Uganda) and its agencies, specifically the Uganda Police and any other security agency or department of the government of Uganda. The Applicant sought the following Court orders: That the summons issued on 9th April 2018, requiring the attendance of the Applicant before the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to be interrogated or questioned in relation to criminal case No. 3 of 2018, in which the Applicants are accused persons, should not be implemented until the hearing of their Reference pending before this Court; other orders sought are in respect of restraining orders to stop the arrest of the Applicant they are being charged in any court and the reconstitution of any bench of the Constitutional Court of Uganda to re-fix for hearing de-novo (hearing the matter afresh) of the petition No. 3 of 2013, pending delivery of judgment by that Court.
The Applicants’ Lawyer said that after this Court (EACJ) issued the ruling on 24th April 2018, the Constitutional Court also delivered its long pending Judgment in favor of the Respondent (government of Uganda) hence the reason that has led to the amendment of the Application in order to address that Judgment by the Constitutional Court. Counsel for the Respondent did not oppose the application for amendment but requested to be given times to file their response because they had just been served with the amended Notice of Motion.
The Court (First Instance Division) therefore granted the parties a period of one month to file and serve their Affidavits and submissions in the Court Registry by (2nd July 2018) in order for the matter to be scheduled for hearing in the next session.
Counsels for the Applicant appearing were Mr Caleb Alaka & Mr Joseph Kyazze for the Applicants and for the Respondent were Ms Patricia Mutesi and Charity Nabaasa and Arinaitwe Goretti. The matter came up for hearing before Honorable Judges Lady Justice Monica Mugenyi (Principal Judge), Justice Isaac Lenaola (Deputy Principal Judge), Fakihi A .Jundu. Dr Faustin Ntezilyayo and Dr Charles Oyo Nyawello.
ENDS
For more information, please contact:
Yufnalis Okubo Registrar East African Court of Justice Arusha, Tanzania Tel: +255 27 2162149 mail: Okubo [at] eachq.org www.eacj.org
About the East African Court of Justice:
The East African Court of Justice (EACJ or ‘the Court’), is one of the organs of the East African Community established under Article 9 of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community. Established in November 2001, the Court’s major responsibility is to ensure the adherence to law in the interpretation and application of and compliance with the EAC Treaty.
Arusha is the temporary seat of the Court until the Summit determines its permanent seat. The Court’s sub-registries are located in the respective National Courts in the Partner States.
East African Legislative Assembly, Arusha, Tanzania: 4 June, 2018:
The EAC has presented for consideration Budget estimates for the Financial Year 2018/2019, totaling $99,770,716 to the East African Legislative Assembly Sitting. The Chairperson of the EAC Council of Ministers, and Second Deputy Prime Minister, Republic of Uganda, Rt Hon Dr Ali Kirunda Kivenjija, presented the Budget Speech to an attentive House.
The 2018/2019 Budget themed: “Enhancing Prosperity and Welfare of EAC Citizens” is a step-down from $110,130,184 presented to the House in the previous Financial Year. According to the Chair of Council of Ministers, the Priority Interventions for FY 2018/2019 will focus on enhanced free movement of goods in the region and further liberalization of free movement of labor and Services; improved cross-border infrastructure to ease cost of doing business in the region; and enhanced regional agricultural productivity. Other priority interventions include enhanced industrial development through investment in key priority sectors including leather and textile; skills development, technological advancement and innovation to stimulate economic development. The implementation of the roadmap for the attainment of the EAC Monetary Union; strengthened Peace, Security and Good Governance and Institutional Framework for EAC Political Confederation are also set for consideration.
The 2018/2019 Budget is allocated to the Organs and Institutions of the EAC as follows; East African Community Secretariat ($46,693,056), East African Legislative Assembly ($17,885,852) and the East African Court of Justice ($3,982,446). The Inter-University Council for East Africa shall receive ($6,847,969), Lake Victoria Basin Commission ($13,357,673) while $ 2, 518,137 is earmarked for the Lake Victoria Fisheries Organization. On their part, the East African Science and Technology Commission shall receive ($ 1,661,779), East African Kiswahili Commission ($ 1,605,353) and the East African Health Research Commission ($ 4,204,032). The East African Competition Authority is to benefit from $1,014,418 in the Financial Year 2018/19.
The 2018/2019 Budget is to be financed by Partner State contributions through the Ministries of EAC Affairs ($50,227,920); Ministries responsible for Education – ($ 4,466,210) and Ministries responsible for Fisheries ($ 1,551,032). Development Partners will support the Community to the tune of ($42,925,613) while Member Universities will inject in to the kitty $ 333,970. The miscellaneous revenue is pegged at $ 265,971.
Other key areas Rt. Hon Dr Kivenjija said, include further consolidation of the Single Customs Territory (SCT) to enhance intra-EAC trade, leading to reduction in the cost of doing business in the region and the development of regional infrastructure, thereby reducing transport costs, and easing cross-border movement of people, goods and services. The funds are also earmarked to enhance implementation of the EAC Common Market Protocol, with particular emphasis on free movement of skilled labour across the Partner States.
Promotion of peace, democracy and security across the Partner States as well as efforts towards full participation of the Republic of South Sudan in the activities of EAC are other areas of priority for the Community in the coming Financial Year.
The EAC is further expected to streamline and further consolidate its operational systems to achieve the desired level of efficiency, accountability, and value for money.
Last Financial Year, the august House approved a Budget of USD110, 130,184. The said amount was earmarked for among others; consolidation of the Single Customs Territory (SCT) to cover all imports and intra-EAC traded goods; Infrastructural development in the region and liberalization of free movement of skilled labour across the Partner States.
The second Deputy Prime Minister cited a number of assumptions on which this year’s budget is pegged on to include the continued and consolidated political support of the EAC integration and the availability of adequate financial resources and remittances. Political stability and good governance as well as safe and stable security across the region are other areas of consideration.
On the global economic performance outlook, the Minister informed the House the global economy had expanded by 3.7 % in 2017, which is approximately 0.5 % point higher than the growth in 2016. The pickup, Rt Hon Dr. Kivenjija added, in global growth was supported by a notable increase in global investment, trade, and industrial production, coupled with strengthening business and consumer confidence. Accordingly, Sub-Saharan Africa’s real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 2.7 % in 2017 compared to a revised growth rate of 1.4 % registered in 2016. The accelerated growth was mainly due to favourable commodity export prices and strong agricultural production.
Rt Hon Dr. Kivenjija said the region had continued to realise significant growth and development even though there were mixed results. “Mr. Speaker, the EAC region maintained its position as the fastest-growing sub-region in Africa, with estimated growth of 4.6 % in 2017, up from 4.4 % in 2016”, the Chair said.
Strong growth was widespread in the region, with Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda growing at more than 5%. Growth in Kenya was supported by sustained investment in infrastructure and improvement in the service sectors, while in Uganda and Tanzania growth was mainly supported by strong performance in the industry sector. Rwanda’s growth was supported by favorable weather conditions and higher commodity prices. However, the Chair said the economic growth in Burundi and South Sudan remained subdued in 2017, with some signs of steady recovery. GDP growth in Burundi contracted by 1.3 % in 2017 compared with a revised contraction of about 1.6 % in 2016. This was mainly due to sustained impact of suspension of financial aid by major donors, shortage of foreign exchange reserves, and declining investment. Likewise, the Minister stated growth in South Sudan contracted by about 3.5 % in 2017 compared to a contraction of 13.8 % in 2016. Growth deceleration in South Sudan since 2015 has been largely contributed by the combination of low oil prices and reduction in oil production following the ongoing political challenges.
On legislation, the Minister informed the House the Community had enacted among others, the EAC Supplementary Appropriation Bill 2017; the EAC Appropriation Bill, 2017, the EAC Oaths Bill, 2018 and the EAC Polythene Materials Control Bill, 2017. He informed the House that a number of new Bills would be introduced in the coming Financial Year. “Mr. Speaker, during the Financial Year 2018/2019 the Council will propose amendments to the EAC Standardization, Quality Assurance Metrology and Testing Act (SQMT) 2006. The proposals are intended to make it possible to make SQMT regulations by separating metrology matters from SQT matters. The Council also intends to review and bring amendments to laws relating to trade especially the EAC Competition Act, 2006”, Hon Dr Kivenjija said. The Council of Ministers is to further initiate Bills that support the establishment of the East African Monetary Union. In particular, the Council shall initiate the East African Surveillance Compliance and Enforcement Commission Bill 2018 and the EAC Financial Commission Bill, 2018, in compliance with the Protocol on the Establishment of the East African Monetary Union.
The Chair of Council of Ministers further lauded the Assembly for the speed with which it is carrying out with its mandate.
“From what I see and from what I have already experienced in the six months with you, I can only hold the Members of the 4th Assembly in high esteem and high regard because you have hit the road with a lot of enthusiasm and focus. As Council, we only hope that you continue to excel and to hold us even more accountable”, he said.
On Infrastructure, the Minister informed the House of the completion of the Taveta – Mwatate road, which is part of the multinational Arusha – Holili/Taveta – Voi road and its commissioning in July, 2017. On the side of the United Republic of Tanzania, the dual construction of the14 Km long Sakina – Tengeru section, was completed while the construction of the 42-km long Arusha Bypass is in progress. The Minister further informed the House of the completion of the Mombasa-Nairobi standard gauge railway (SGR) line in Kenya and stated the phase II from Nairobi to Naivasha was ongoing and expected to be completed by 2019. “These are backbone lines for the Mombasa-Nairobi-Kampala-Kasese/Kigali and Tororo-Pakwach/Gulu-Nimule-Juba SGR project along the Northern Corridor”, the Rt Hon Deputy Prime Minister informed the House.
Rt Hon Dr Kivenjija remarked that EAC was collaborating with the COMESA and SADC under the Infrastructure Development Pillar of the Tripartite Free Trade Area, to implement the Tripartite Transport and Transit Facilitation Programme. He remarked the collaboration was key in harmonization of policies, standards and specifications in the roads sector.
On Civil aviation and airport matters, the House was informed the EAC Secretariat had completed the draft regulations to guide the Partner States in quest to fully liberalize their Air Transport Services. The rationale for this, the Minister said is in order to achieve improved efficiency, enhancement in capacities and eventually lowering the cost of air transport in the Region. During the period under review, the EAC Secretariat similarly coordinated the operationalization of the EAC aeronautical and maritime search and rescue agreement and the development of an EAC agreement in handling aircraft accident and incident investigation.
On agriculture and food security, the EAC Minister said the region remained committed to fully support implementation of the June 2014, African Heads of State Malabo Declaration on Agriculture Growth and Transformation in Africa.
I am pleased to inform you that the EAC is strongly committed to support implementation of the June 2014, African Heads of State Malabo Declaration on Agriculture Growth and Transformation in Africa. In June 2017 Ministers responsible for Agriculture in the EAC Partner States and other key regional stakeholders signed the EAC Comprehensive African Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP) pact. Further, the EAC Regional Agriculture Investment Plan (RAIP), which will be a key instrument in rallying financial and technical support to spur agricultural transformation was developed and is now awaiting consideration and adoption by the 11thSectoral Council on Agriculture and Food Security.
The Minister called for heightened measures to ensure food security. “Mr. Speaker, the EAC region suffers from frequent food insecurity despite the huge resource endowments and great potential for production of adequate food. Food insecurity in the region is caused by both natural and policy related factors. The EAC Secretariat with the financial and technical support from USAID and East Africa Trade and Investment Hub (EATIH) has developed EAC Regional Food Security and Nutrition Security Strategy (FNSS) and its Action Plan (FSAP) to guide the implementation and actualization of the regional food security objectives”, he remarked.
The House is now expected to debate on the Budget proposals.
- ENDS -
For more information, please contact:
Bobi Odiko Senior Public Relations Officer East African Legislative Assembly Arusha, Tanzania Tel: +255-27-2508240 Fax: +255-27-2503103 Cell: +255-787-870945, +254-733-718036 Email: BOdiko [at] eachq.org Web: www.eala.org
About the East African Legislative Assembly:
The East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) is the Legislative Organ of the Community and has a cardinal function to further EAC objectives, through its Legislative, Representative and Oversight mandate. It was established under Article 9 of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community.
East African Legislative Assembly, Arusha, June 1, 2018:
The House late Thursday (May 31st, 2018) afternoon debated and adopted the Report of the Committee on Accounts on the EAC Audited Financial Statements for the Year ended 30th June 2016. The report was presented by the Chair of the Committee on Accounts, Hon Dr Jumanne Ngwaru Maghembe to an attentive House.
The report attributes the overall financial position of the Community as reasonably healthy, with sufficient liquid assets to meet its maturing liabilities as and when due. The Community, the report states, had a budget of USD 112,233,039 in the Financial Year ending June 30th, 2016 and the actual expenditure totalled to USD 59,664,208 hence an overall budget performance of 65%.
The report covers the Audited Financial Statements of the EAC organs, projects and programmes for the year ended 30th June, 2016. It also covers the Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC), Lake Victoria Environmental Management Project II (LVEMP II), Lake Victoria Basin-Partnership Fund, Inter University Council for East Africa (IUCEA), Lake Victoria Fisheries Organization (LVFO) and the Civil Aviation Safety and Security Oversight Agency (CASSOA).
The Report however states that EAC Institutions, projects and programmes across board have a challenge of budget absorption. It therefore calls for proper budgetary planning, coherency and consistency in the budgeting process.
In his presentation, Hon Dr Maghembe enumerated certain gross irregularities were noted in recruitment and award of short term contracts and cites it as contravening the Staff Rules and Regulations and the Treaty for the re-Establishment of the EAC. Similarly, many procurement processes in the EAC Organs and Institutions contravene procurement procedures.
The Audit Commission reported that the assessment of the status on the implementation of the previous audit recommendations of the previous two years (2013/2014 and 2014/2015), revealed that 41% of the audit recommendations made in the 2013/2014 audit were not implemented while 57% of the audit recommendations made in the 2014/2015 were not implemented.
The Report further calls for timely remittances of contributions by Partner States saying delays make implementation of EAC programs difficult.
“When funds are remitted towards the end of the financial year, they are not sent to the specific institution to which the money was budget for, but deposited to the reserve account”, a section of the report states.
On non-implementation of the previous audit recommendations, the Committee wants a proper mechanism to enable the Assembly to get periodical report(s) on the status on implementation of its recommendations from the Council of Ministers. It tasks the Council of Ministers to direct the Audit Commission to follow up and report on annual basis to the Assembly through EALA Committee on Accounts on the status of the Assembly’s recommendations’ implementation.
The Committee further observes a weak Audit function at the EAC and says inadequate staffing is affecting the audit function on all the Organs and Institutions of EAC. In the regard, an immediate upgrade of the Audit function in to a fully-fledged department to ensure effectiveness is therefore necessary, the report says.
In order to ensure proper management of EAC projects and programmes, the Assembly further calls for continuity and sustainability plans for all projects, that should be mainstreamed and aligned with EAC objectives and mission. It thus cites the branding of EAC Projects and Programmes as crucial to enhance the visibility of EAC activities.
The Committee further observes need for timely remittance of the VAT receivables across the Partner States by the revenue collection bodies saying such delay is uncalled for.
Staffing matters also take centre stage in the report with findings alluding to the fact that majority of the EAC institutions are grossly understaffed leading to non-segregation of duties and a corresponding violation of staff rules and regulations.
The Committee therefore recommends to the Assembly to urge the Council of Ministers to ensure that all the positions at EAC are properly filled as per the staffing structures. Other challenges include inadequate and weak regulatory framework governing the financial and procurement regimes at the EAC, weak compliance and verification systems of goods and services procured and weak disciplinary mechanisms to reprimand staff at the EAC among others.
The 149 page report received overwhelming support from Members at debate time. Rising in support of the report were Hon Dr Anne Itto, Hon Josephine Lemoyaan, Hon Fatuma Ndangiza, Hon Mohammed Mnyaa, Hon Dr Woda Jeremiah, Hon Kasamba Mathias and Hon Gideon Thoar Gatpan. Others were Hon Pamela Simon Maassay, Hon Florence Jematiah Sergon, Hon Fatuma Ibrahim, Hon Claude Barimuyabo, Hon Mukasa Mbidde, Hon Mary Mugyenyi, Hon Pierre Celestin Rwigema, Hon Gabriel Alaak, Hon Wanjiku Muhia, Hon Dr Oburu Oginga, Hon Susan Nakawuki and the Counsel to the Community, Hon Dr Anthony Kafumbe.
The Members raised various concerns and called for the need to address the various irregularities, strengthening of the weak systems, enhanced procurement and implementation of modalities leading to ISO certification.
- ENDS -
For more information, please contact:
Bobi Odiko Senior Public Relations Officer East African Legislative Assembly Arusha, Tanzania Tel: +255-27-2508240 Fax: +255-27-2503103 Cell: +255-787-870945, +254-733-718036 Email: BOdiko [at] eachq.org Web: www.eala.org
About the East African Legislative Assembly:
The East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) is the Legislative Organ of the Community and has a cardinal function to further EAC objectives, through its Legislative, Representative and Oversight mandate. It was established under Article 9 of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community.
EAC Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania, 30th May, 2018:
The stakeholders meeting for Risk and Crisis Communications (RCC) on Communicable and Non-communicable diseases organized by the East African Community Secretariat (EAC) and Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) through the support of Pandemic Preparedness in region (PanPrep) project has concluded in Nairobi, Kenya.
The objectives of the meeting was to broaden the range of awareness of experts involved in risk and crisis communication in the EAC region, facilitate a common understanding of the RCC, introduce the participants to the concept of risk and crisis communication in One Health context and extend Technical Working Group on RCC that will develop a regional RCC strategy and Standard Operating Procedures.
The meeting also explored the opportunities for collaboration and leveraging resources to implement risk and crisis communication within region and committed to support the development and implementation of the regional risk and crisis communication strategy.
Making his remarks during the official opening session on behalf of the EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Productive and Social Sector, Hon Christophe Bazivamo, the EAC Principal Health Officer, Dr. Stanley Sonoiya, expressed his sincere appreciation to the GIZ for supporting the stakeholders meeting.
He underscored the importance of the meeting, which build capacity as well as enable the participants to communicate better whenever there are outbreaks that affect both human beings and animals. Dr. Sonoiya said that medical experts have technical skills but noted that there was a missing gap in terms communication between them and the people at large.
On her part, the GIZ-EAC Project Manager of Pandemic Preparedness, Dr. Irene Lukassowitz highlighted the importance of the project, which is aimed at strengthening the EAC Secretariat in its regional pandemic preparedness support function following a One Health approach.
Note to Editors:
The 15th Ordinary Meeting of the EAC Sectoral Council of the Ministers of Health that took place from 13th to 7th November, 2017 approved the expansion o the EAC Technical Working Group on Communicable and Non-Communicable diseases to include Risk and Crisis Communication (RCC) experts. The EAC Partner States were notified of the decision and in line with the One Health approach requested to nominate a total of 7 RCC experts from different sector, namely from human health (South Sudan), animal health (Burundi), environment (Rwanda) agriculture and wildlife (Tanzania), trade (Kenya), One Health (Uganda) and tourism (Zanzibar). Nominated were experts from health, agriculture, trade, environment and communications.
-ENDS-
For more information, please contact:
Mr Owora Richard Othieno Head, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Department EAC Secretariat Arusha, Tanzania Tel: +255 784 835021 Email: OOthieno [at] eachq.org
About the East African Community Secretariat:
The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organisation of five Partner States, comprising Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda, with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
The East African Court of Justice, Arusha, Tanzania, 26th May, 2018.
The Appellate Division on Friday ruled in favour of Hon. Dr. Margaret Nantongo Zziwa (Appellant) and ordered that she be awarded compensation in the sum of US$114,000 with interest thereon at six (6) per cent per annum from 24th February, 2015 when she filed her Amended Reference till payment in full. This was a result of her illegal removal from the office of the Speaker of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) which the Court averred was an infringement of Articles 53 and 56 of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community.
The Appellate Court in its judgement set aside the findings by the Trial Court (First Instance Division) that it had no jurisdiction to grant the remedy of damages and substituted it with a finding that the Trial Court had the jurisdiction or mandate to grant that remedy. It also set aside the order on costs by the Trail Court and ordered that the Appellant be granted the costs of the Reference and of the Appeal, and that such costs are certified for two counsels.
This was an Appeal by Dr. Zziwa (“the Appellant”) against the Judgment of the First Instance Division of this Court (“the Trial Court”) dated 3rd February, 2017 whereby the Trial Court partially allowed the Amended Reference filed in the Trial Court on 24th February, 2015 and ordered each party to bear their own costs. The Appellant who was a member of the EALA from the Republic of Uganda was in June 2012 elected as the Speaker of EALA. On 24th February, 2015, the Appellant filed in the Trial Court an Amended Reference in which she contested the legality of her purported removal from office on 26th November, 2014.
“We are of the firm opinion that the full effectiveness of East African Community Laws including the Treaty and the protection of the rights granted by such laws requires the Court to grant effective relief by way of appropriate remedies in the event of breach of such laws,” said the Judges.
The Court added that the Trial Court having found that the proceedings for the removal of the Appellant as Speaker were null and void and that, accordingly, her removal was illegal and in breach of the Treaty, it followed, in their view, that in the eyes of the law she continued to hold the office of Speaker and the Court could not but order her reinstatement as part of its mandate to ensure adherence to the law and compliance with the Treaty.
In addition, the Appellate Court held that Articles 23(1) and 27(1) of the Treaty do not confine the Court’s mandate to mere interpretation of the Treaty and the making of declaratory orders but confer on the Court, being an international judicial body, as an aspect of its jurisdiction, the authority to grant appropriate remedies to ensure adherence to law and compliance with the Treaty.
The Court also found and held that the lamentation by the Trial Court that it had no power under the Treaty or the Rules to grant the remedy of reinstatement was without justification in the Treaty itself or in the law of responsibility of international organizations.
Furthermore, the Appellate Court rejected the submissions of the Respondent (the EAC Secretary General) that the prayer for the reinstatement of the Appellant was moot or overtaken by events as at the date of Judgment by the Trial Court. The Appellate Court noted that the record shows that the Appellant was suspended from office on 26th November 2014, she filed the Reference on 10th December, 2014, Hon Kidega was elected as Speaker to replace her on 19th December, 2014, the Amended Reference was filed on 24th February, 2015, the Judgment of the Trial Court was delivered on 23rd February, 2017, and the life of the Assembly ended in June 2017.
The Court added that, at the time of the Judgment appealed from, the life of EALA had not come to an end and, accordingly, an order for the Appellant’s reinstatement would not have been moot. However the Appellant’s prayer for reinstatement as the Speaker of the Assembly was declined.
On the question as to whether the remedy should have been refused in regard to the doctrine of separation of powers, the Court rejected the Trial Court’s holding to that effect, that EALA having violated Article 56 of the Treaty in removing the Appellant from office and that conduct being attributable to the Community in international law (as was determined by the Trial Court), the Community cannot invoke the doctrine of separation of powers to bar the Court from ordering her reinstatement on the basis that matters of election and removal of the Speaker are within one of its organ’s exclusive mandate.
Also, the Court added that it is in complete agreement with the jurisprudence from the superior courts of the Partner States cited, from which may be distilled the principle that the doctrine of separation of powers is only sacrosanct (untouchable) where the independent organs of the State concerned are acting within the law. That any State organ or institution that marches out of step with the law is liable to be brought in line by the courts with the sword of checks and balances. In the premise, the doctrine of separation of powers could not and cannot in either international law or internal law (which is not relevant in the case at hand) shield any Community organ or institution from judicial scrutiny for any transgression of the Treaty or other Community laws.
“It is clear to the Court that EALA’s removal of the Appellant as Speaker in contravention of the Treaty was an internationally wrongful act which is attributable to the Community and accordingly entails the Community’s international responsibility,” the Court said.
The Court was also persuaded that the Trial Court exercised its discretion improperly in denying the Appellant her costs. It observed that even the Trial Court itself was not certain that the Appellant’s conduct triggered the litigation. The Trial Court’s conclusion was that “quite possibly” such conduct “could have” triggered the unfortunate series of events the subject matter of the Reference. In the Appellate Court’s view, the Appellant’s alleged conduct was a red herring (information intended to be misleading). And that it was definitely not conduct in the Reference or conduct that gave rise to the Reference. In the premise, it was an irrelevant factor, and the Trial Court, in taking it into account in exercising its discretion, thus exercised such discretion improperly.
That it is also clear that the Appellant has substantially succeeded in this Appeal and the Court finds that the Appellant is entitled to her costs both in this Court and in the Trial Court
As regards certification for two Counsels, the Court said that the Appellant was represented by Counsel from two different law firms in Kampala, Uganda. In the result, “we would certify the case as appropriate for costs for two Counsels in this Court and below.” The Appellant is, in this Court, as she was in the Trial Court, represented by Mr. Justin Semuyaba, duly instructed by Semuyaba Iga & Co. Advocates of Kampala and Mr. Jet John Tumwebaze, duly instructed by the firm of Kampala Associated Advocates of Kampala. Both Counsel for the Appellant and herself Hon. Dr. Zziwa accompanied by Captain Francis Babu, were present in court to receive the Judgment. Dr Anthony Kafumbe Counsel to The Community and his Representative Ms Brenda Ntihinyurwa, for the Secretary General were also present in Court.
The Judgment which was delivered by Honourable Justices: Dr Emmanuel Ugirashebuja (President of the Court), Liboire Nkurunziza (Vice-President), Justice Edward Rutakangwa, Aaron Ringera and Geoffrey Kiryabwire.
ENDS
For more information, please contact:
Yufnalis Okubo Registrar East African Court of Justice Arusha, Tanzania Tel: +255 27 2162149 mail: Okubo [at] eachq.org www.eacj.org
About the East African Court of Justice:
The East African Court of Justice (EACJ or ‘the Court’), is one of the organs of the East African Community established under Article 9 of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community. Established in November 2001, the Court’s major responsibility is to ensure the adherence to law in the interpretation and application of and compliance with the EAC Treaty.
Arusha is the temporary seat of the Court until the Summit determines its permanent seat. The Court’s sub-registries are located in the respective National Courts in the Partner States.
