East African Community Secretariat, 29th March, 2019:EAC Partner States are committed to the multilateral trading system and are therefore reviewed after every six years by the World Trade Organization (WTO) Trade Policy Review Mechanism.
It is in this context that the EAC Partner States underwent their Third joint Trade Policy Review from 20th to 22nd March, 2019 in Geneva, Switzerland. The objective of the review is to achieve greater transparency in, and understanding of the EAC’s trade and trade related policies on the Customs Union and Common Market by the WTO Members and to enable a multilateral assessment of the adherence by EAC Partner States who are WTO Members, to the rules, disciplines and commitments made under the WTO Agreements.
East African Community Secretariat, 28th March, 2019:The 18th Ordinary Meeting of the EAC Sectoral Council on Health concluded at Serena Hotel in Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania.
The meeting reviewed progress made in implementing the previous decisions and directives of the Council and Sectoral Council and also considered other issues of importance in the area of health in the region.
…As Digital REACH initiative Strategic Plan 2019-2018, East African Web Portal for Health Information and Young East African Research Scientists (YEARS) forum launched
East African Health Research Commission, 27th March 2019, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: The Vice-President of the United Republic of Tanzania, H.E, Samia Hassan Suluhu, has called on East African Community Partner States to invest in Digital Health Technology if the region is to fully implement the Sustainable Development Goals and address all aspects of poverty.
“Investing in Health Sector and relevant digital technologies is key for our development that we need to pursue more aggressively as a region,” said Hon. Suluhu.
The Vice-President was speaking during the official opening ceremony of the 7th East African Health and Scientific Conference (EAHSC), which is taking place at the Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
She said Science and technology is an important and vital tool in addressing fundamental gaps in the health sector.
“I wish to commend the organizers for the timely and relevant selection of the theme. Technology for health systems transformation and attainment of the UN-Sustainable Development Goals. This theme comes at an opportune moment as the world is in its fourth industrial revolution where science and technology is taking the lead in all aspects,” added the Vice President.
The Vice president informed the conference that the approval of the Digital Regional East African Community Health (Digital REACH) 10 years strategic plan by the Sectoral Council of Ministers of Health held in Kigali on 26th October, 2018 was an important step towards achieving transformation in the sector.
“I expect that Digital REACH will support the development and implementation of regional health programmes, within existing EAC Regional policies and legal frameworks as provided by the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community and as desired by each of the EAC Partner States,” said.
H.E. Hassan told the participants at the conference that Digital health has been proven as one of the enablers of Sustainable Development Goals in developed countries and a lot of pilot projects all over the world are confirming the same to be the case in low- and middle-income country settings.
‘’I therefore encourage Partner States to support the new development in EAC Partner States and call upon the region to work together through Digital Health Technology and reiterate the commitment of the United Republic of Tanzania to take advantage of Digital Health technology to improve implementation of health sector interventions, with the aim of accelerating attainment of the Universal Health Coverage and SDGs.’’
On his part, the Chairperson of the Sectoral Council on Health and Ministers of State of Public Health and Primary Health Care, Dr. Patrick Ndimubanzi, said the digital age was transforming the entire health sector and how healthcare was delivered.
“In fact Digital Health solutions can increase access to health services, deliver training for health professionals, provide better diagnostics and health information,” said Dr. Ndimubanzi, who is also Rwanda’s Minister of State in charge of Public Health and Primary Healthcare.
Dr. Ndimubanzi told the conference that ICT and digital health solutions offered the prospect of bringing into reach universal health coverage and the prospect of making health and well-being for all a reality by 2030.
“I am glad to note that the 19th Ordinary Summit of Heads of EAC Partner States held in Kampala in February 2018, committed to invest in Digital Health Technology, as one of the health sector investment priorities for the region for the next 10 years; for better research for health, health services delivery and health outcome,” said Dr. Ndibumanzi.
The Chair the Sectoral Council call upon the region to put in place strategic policies and practical interventions that can help the EAC Region to boost the uptake of digital health technology.
Representing the EAC Secretary General, Amb Liberat Mfumukeko, the EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Planning and Infrastructure, Eng. Steven Mlote, said Conference contributes towards strengthening regional cooperation in health in line with Article 118 of the Treaty that established the EAC as well as relevant provisions of the EAC Common Market Protocol which provides a platform or knowledge sharing among health professional in the EAC region.
He urged the EAC Partner States to align their Digital Health strategies and activities with Digital REACH Initiative and to support initiative that complements the national initiatives.
Eng. Mlote said that the conference is expected to come up with the relevant and realistic recommendations for the improvement of health care and delivery through application of technologies for the improvement of the health and the well being of citizens of the Community will be made.
During the official opening, the Vice-President also launched the Digital REACH initiative Strategic Plan 2019-2018, East African Web Portal for Health Information and Young East African Research Scientists (YEARS) forum.
The East African Health and Scientific Conference is biennial and organized on rotational basis within the EAC Partner States.EAC Technical Working Group Meeting on Pilot Testing of Harmonized Pesticides Guidelines fro Efficacy Trials
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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.
LAUNCH OF CALL FOR PAPERS FOR THE EAST AFRICAN JOURNAL OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION
The East African Journal of Science, Technology and Innovation (EAJSTI) will launch its first call for papers for publication on 3rd April, 2019 in Kampala Uganda.
EAJSTI is designed as a multidisciplinary, open access and peer review journal, publishing original research of relevance to the East African Community (EAC) region, covering basic and applied research in science, technology and innovation.
The goal of the Journal is to enhance, advance and disseminate scientific, technological and innovative knowledge that supports regional socio-economic development. The objectives of the journal include:
Supporting the development of evidence based policies;
Providing an avenue for disseminating scientific research and technological findings to researchers, professionals, industry and other stakeholders in the EAC and beyond;
Increasing the number and quality of scientific publications from the EAC Partner States;
Advancing and opening up the new frontiers for further research in science, technology and innovation domains;
Enhancing visibility of the regional scientific and technological research, and;
Promoting international recognition of local researchers and professionals.
It is anticipated that EAJSTI will, among other things, provide a strong forum, linkage and network for exchange of scientific knowledge, technology and innovations that are being generated from Universities, Research Institutions and Industry in East Africa and globally. The EAJSTI will further enhance the sharing of knowledge to its readership as it continues to increase and develop a rich database of research output in science, technology and innovation in a wide thematic area. Given the scarcity of regular and reliable scientific journals in production within the East African region, the EAJSTI will fill this gap and void which is created by the of absence of research outputs available from well recognized and reputable peer-reviewed journals. The EAJSTI will endeavour to support the world-renowned scientists, upcoming scientists and graduate students from both the East African region and globally to continue to publish scientific outputs, new technologies, and innovations.
The journal will invite articles in the areas of: Agriculture; Food Security and Rural Development; Natural Resources and Environmental Management; Health and Wellbeing Science; Infrastructure; Energy and Industrial Development, and; Information Communication Technology. The journal has been established through collaboration between the East African Science and Technology Commission (EASTECO), the Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA), and the Nelson Mandela African Institute for Science and Technology (NM-AIST). The call for papers will be published in major newspapers in Partner States, and on the websites of the partnering institutions.
The launch will be preceded by inauguration of the editorial board, which comprises senior scientists from academia, research institutions and the industry. The ceremony will be attended by senior officers from Ministries of East African Community Affairs (MEACAs) in the Partner States, Ministry of Science Technology and Innovation of Uganda, members of the EASTECO Governing Board, and other stakeholders in Science, technology and innovation ecosystem in the region.
For more information, please see the journal website: http://eajsti.org
Note to Editors:
The East African Science and Technology Commission (EASTECO) is a semi-autonomous institution of the East African Community (EAC), mandated to coordinate and promote the development, management and application of Science and Technology in Partner States to support regional integration and socio-economic development. Among other responsibilities, the commission promotes the exchange and utilization of scientific information, and supports the dissemination of research and development findings in Partner States. This is in line with the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community which recognizes the fundamental role of science and technology in economic development and stipulates, in the Chapter 16, Article 103, that the community shall promote cooperation in the development and application of science and technology within the Partner States. Article 80, on industrial development further reinforces the need for development of science and technology to accelerate socio-economic development in the community
For more information, please contact the Managing Editor of the Journal through email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
East African Court of Justice, Arusha, 26th March, 2019: The First Instance Division decided that the government of Uganda violated the East African Community Treaty and the Customs Union and Common Market Protocols by imposing extra excise duty law over imported cigarettes within East Africa. This was a decision in the case filed by the British American Tobacco (BAT) Ltd Uganda, challenging the Government of Uganda over the Excise Duty (Amendment) Act of 2017, that was assented to by the President of Uganda on 13th June 2017,with a commencement date of 1st July 2017 and the Act was published in the Uganda Gazette on 30th June 2017. The government of Uganda through the Uganda Revenue Authority issued tax assessment notices on the basis of the above amendments requiring the BAT (Applicant) to pay excise duty for its cigarettes manufactured in Kenya and imported to Uganda. The tax assessment initially categorised the cigarettes as locally manufactured but subsequently re categorised the same as imported attracting excise duty at the higher rate for imported cigarettes, i.e. Ushs 75,000 per 1000 sticks of ‘soft cup’ and Ushs 100,000 per 1000 sticks of ‘hinge lid’.
The court further ordered that implementation of the provisions of Sec 2(a) and (b) of the Excise Duty (Amendment) Act No.11 of 2017 by misconstruction and wrongful re-classification of the British American Tobacco Ltd Uganda’s Cigarettes as ‘imported goods”, contravene and infringe on Articles 1 and 75 (6) of the Treaty as well as Articles 1 (1) and 15 (1) (a) and (2) of the Customs Union Protocol and Article 6 (1) of the Common Market Protocol.
The Court further ordered that the government’s misapplication of the provisions of the said Act by issuance of the payment registration slips for additional taxes in the sum of Ug shs 325,208,000 for the BAT’s 1,170 packages of soft cap cigarettes is illegal, null and void and the court ordered the gov’t with immediate effect to rescind and withdraw the payment registration slips.
In addition the court ordered the government to ensure the interpretation and application of Excise Duty Act with due regard and in compliance with applicable Community Law and to align the Ugandan tax laws with Community Law applicable to goods from EAC Partner States.
The court exercising its discretion ordered each party to bear its own costs on the basis that this case has canvassed matters of grave importance to the advancement of Community law and EAC intra-regional trade, which would be of significant public interest to across section of stakeholders within and beyond the EAC regional bloc.
The court however did not find any infringement of Articles 6 (d) and (e), 7 (1) (c) 75 (1) and (4) or 80(1) of the Treaty, neither was the alleged infringement of article 4 (5)(2) or 32 of the Common Market Protocol as alleged by the Applicant against the government of Uganda.
The judgment was delivered by Honourable Judges: Lady Justice Monica Mugenyi (Principle Judge), Justice Dr Faustin Ntezilyayao (Deputy Principal Judge), Justice Fakihi A. Jundu, Justice Audace Ngiye and Justice Charles Nyachae.
Notes for Editors:
On 30th June 2017, on 30th March 2017, the Government of Uganda published the Excise Duty (Amendment) Bill No.6 of 2017 in the Uganda Gazette proposing an increase in the rate of excise duty on cigarettes (soft cup) from Ushs. 50,000 per 1000 sticks to Ushs. 55,000 per 1000 sticks. The said rate was to apply uniformly to all applicable tobacco products manufactured within the EAC. The Bill was laid before the Parliament and referred to the Committee on finance, Planning and Economic Development. The Committee held meetings and prepared a report where it was recommended that the Bill be passed into law subject to a proposed amendment introducing different excise rates for locally manufactured and imported cigarettes. On 10th May 2017, the Bill was brought before the plenary, debated upon by Members of Parliament and subsequently passed by the Parliament. The Bill introduced amendments of excise duty on locally manufactured cigarettes (soft cup) to an amount of Ushs. 55,000 per 1000 sticks and Ushs. 75,000 per 1000 sticks for imports. While introducing Ushs 80,000 per 1000 sticks for hinge lid locally manufactured and Ushs. 100,000 per sticks for imported. The Act was assented to by the President of Uganda on 13th June 2017,with a commencement date of 1st July 2017 and the Act was published in the Uganda Gazette on 30th June 2017. The government of Uganda through the Uganda Revenue Authority issued tax assessment notices on the basis of the above amendments requiring the BAT (Applicant) to pay excise duty for its cigarettes manufactured in Kenya and imported to Uganda. The tax assessment initially categorised the cigarettes as locally manufactured but subsequently re categorised the same as imported attracting excise duty at the higher rate for imported cigarettes, i.e. Ushs 75,000 per 1000 sticks of ‘soft cup’ and Ushs 100,000 per 1000 sticks of ‘hinge lid’.
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For more information please contact: Yufnalis Okubo, Registrar, East African Court of Justice Tel: +255 27 2162149 Arusha, Tanzania Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. http://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 Health Research Commission, 26th March, 2019, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: The Vice-President of the United Republic of Tanzania, H.E, Samia Hassan Suluhu, will on Wednesday, 27th March, 2019 to grace the official opening of the 7th East African Health and Scientific Conference (EAHSC) at the Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
The biannual event, which is the 7th in the series, is being held under the theme “Technology for health systems transformation and attainment of the UN-Sustainable Development Goals.’’
East African Community Secretariat, 22nd March, 2019:The 50 Million African Women Speak Networking Platform Project (50MWS) is working with different stakeholders to help solve the various issues that women in business face, including access to finance.
On the 21st March 2019, a 4-member delegation from the East African Community Secretariat together with two Officers from the Tanzanian Ministries in charge of East African Affairs and the Ministry responsible for Gender paid a visit to women empowerment organisations in Dar es Salaam.
The objective of this field visit was for the project to understand better how these organisations operate so as to enable the 50MWS Project forge partnerships around the women economic empowerment agenda.
East African Community Secretariat, Arusha, Tanzania, 22nd March, 2019. The EAC Deputy Secretary General in-charge of Productive and Social Sectors, Hon. Christophe Bazivamo has called upon pest control product companies to take advantage of EAC harmonized system for testing and registration of pesticides.
The 38th Extra-Ordinary Council of Ministers held on 30th January, 2019 approved the EAC pesticides management guidelines on efficacy trials, residue trials and registration requirements. The Council further directed Partner States to domesticate them by 30th May 2020.
The EAC harmonized system comes with a number of benefits that will translate to reduced time and costs associated with testing and registration of pest control products across EAC Partner States. It is expected that farmers in the region will have increased access to quality, safe and affordable pesticides.
East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, 21st March, 2019: The Director General for Eastern Africa Region at the African Development Bank (AfDB), Mr. Gabriel Negatu has pledged more support to agriculture and industrialization in the East African Community (EAC) bloc.
The Director General made the statement yesterday when he paid a courtesy call on the EAC Secretary General Amb Liberat Mfumukeko at the EAC headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania. He noted that investment in agriculture and industrialization is the crucial for the development of the region.
East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, 20th March, 2019: The East African Community Secretariat in collaboration with the Tanzanian Local Authorities in Arusha, the Arusha and Moshi Rwandan Community, the Embassy of Rwanda in Tanzania, the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT), the Religious Denominations based here in Arusha, the Representatives of Students from High School and Universities of the Arusha region and EAC staff will commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda on Sunday 7 April, 2019 at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
Themed “Remember-Unite-Renew”, this year’s commemoration will be an occasion to pay tribute to the more than one million innocent lives lost through the heinous extermination of Tutsis in Rwanda 25 years ago.
EAST AFRICAN SCEINCE AND TECHNOLOGY COMMISSION
