EALA speaker calls for democratic alignment across member states
Reaffirming EALA’s commitment to supporting national legislatures, Ntakirutimana offered full legislative, policy, and informational backing to Uganda’s Parliament.
The Speaker of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), Joseph Ntakirutimana (left) with Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda, Jacob Marksons Oboth (right).(Courtesy)
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KAMPALA — The Speaker of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), Joseph Ntakirutimana, has urged East African Community (EAC) member states to align their democratic and governance systems to accelerate regional integration and economic development.
Speaking during a courtesy call on the Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda, Jacob Marksons Oboth, at the Parliamentary Buildings in Kampala, Ntakirutimana emphasised that the regional bloc requires strong, decisive leadership to drive rapid transformation.
"As the EAC, we need to develop faster by aligning our democratic systems. What is democratic to the Democratic Republic of Congo may not necessarily be true to Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda, Tanzania, or Kenya," Ntakirutimana noted.
The EALA Speaker was accompanied by key political and legislative figures, including the Vice Chairperson of the Patriotic League of Uganda, Michael Toyota; the Member of Parliament for Bukanga South, Stephen Kangwagye; and the newly elected EALA Representative for Uganda, Fred Bangumya Rwakaizi.
Ntakirutimana congratulated Speaker Oboth on his election on May 25, 2026, praising his accessible and humble leadership style. The speaker made 100 days in office on September 2.
Reaffirming EALA’s commitment to supporting national legislatures, Ntakirutimana offered full legislative, policy, and informational backing to Uganda’s Parliament.
In response, Oboth extended his gratitude for the fraternal visit, pledging that the 12th Parliament of Uganda will maintain active cooperation with the regional assembly.
"As the Parliament of Uganda, we will be there to keep the cooperation going, and we give assurances of our highest consideration of this offer of support," Oboth said.
Both Speakers committed to strengthening bilateral inter-parliamentary ties, with Oboth confirming his participation in the upcoming EAC Bureau of Speakers meeting scheduled for October in Arusha, Tanzania.