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Speaker Oboth: Uganda ready to review EALA legislators' pay
“Uganda is committed to abiding by the Summit's decision and looks forward to participating in the necessary amendments to the Treaty to provide the legal framework for the new arrangement. Parliament of Uganda is ready to effect the necessary amendments in its rules of procedure and institutional processes required to implement this decision,” Speaker Oboth explained.
During his remarks at the extraordinary meeting of the Speakers’ Bureau of the EAC in Nairobi, Kenya, Speaker Oboth acknowledged the Summit’s decision placing the responsibility for EALA Members' payment on the respective partner States.
By: Nelson Mandela Muhoozi, Journalist @New Vision
NAIROBI - The Speaker of Parliament, Jacob Marksons Oboth, has said that the House will review its budgetary provisions to determine how to accommodate the remuneration of Members of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA).
His statement follows a decision by the East African Community (EAC) Heads of State during their 25th Ordinary Summit held on March 7, 2026, in Arusha, Tanzania.
During the Summit at which President Yoweri Museveni officially assumed the rotational Chairmanship of the EAC, succeeding Kenya’s William Samoei Ruto, the Heads of State adopted several decisions aimed at strengthening the operations and sustainability of the regional bloc.
Although Speaker Oboth did not specify how much Uganda would need to allocate to the money, the commitment signals a possible change in how the country meets the remuneration of representatives to the regional legislative assembly.
Among the key decisions taken was that Members of the EALA would be remunerated by their respective national assemblies, starting December 2027.
The other decisions included the adoption of a new EAC financing formula, comprising 50% equal contributions and 50% assessed contributions, effective July 1, 2026, a 50% waiver on Partner States’ outstanding arrears, with the remaining 50% to be settled within two years, and establishment of a two-thirds quorum requirement for official EAC meetings.
During his remarks at the extraordinary meeting of the Speakers’ Bureau of the EAC in Nairobi, Kenya, Speaker Oboth acknowledged the Summit’s decision placing the responsibility for EALA Members' payment on the respective partner States.
“We stand ready to implement the decision at the earliest opportunity, subject to the necessary amendments being effected in the treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community,” he said.
Although Speaker Oboth did not specify how much Uganda would need to allocate to the money, the commitment signals a possible change in how the country meets the remuneration of representatives to the regional legislative assembly.
Uganda currently has nine representatives to EALA, including Rose Akol Okullu, Paul Mwasa Musamali, George Stephen Odongo, Mary Mugyenyi, Gerald Siranda, Jacquiline Amongin, Veronica Babirye Kadogo, Stella Kiryowa, and Fred Rwakaizi Bangumya. The Members from the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party, the opposition, and Independents are voted in and endorsed by Parliament.
Regarding the proposed changes to the process of selecting EALA members, Speaker Oboth said that Uganda had taken note of the proposed change in the election model for Members of the EALA under Article 50(1) of the Treaty to the effect that each Partner state would be at liberty to identify and select the nine members in accordance with procedures to be determined by that partner state.
During his remarks at the extraordinary meeting of the Speakers’ Bureau of the EAC in Nairobi, Kenya, Speaker Oboth acknowledged the Summit’s decision placing the responsibility for EALA Members' payment on the respective partner States.
“We stand ready to implement the decision at the earliest opportunity, subject to the necessary amendments being effected in the treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community,” he said.
Although Speaker Oboth did not specify how much Uganda would need to allocate to the money, the commitment signals a possible change in how the country meets the remuneration of representatives to the regional legislative assembly.
Uganda currently has nine representatives to EALA, including Rose Akol Okullu, Paul Mwasa Musamali, George Stephen Odongo, Mary Mugyenyi, Gerald Siranda, Jacquiline Amongin, Veronica Babirye Kadogo, Stella Kiryowa, and Fred Rwakaizi Bangumya. The Members from the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party, the opposition, and Independents are voted in and endorsed by Parliament.
Regarding the proposed changes to the process of selecting EALA members, Speaker Oboth said that Uganda had taken note of the proposed change in the election model for Members of the EALA under Article 50(1) of the Treaty to the effect that each Partner state would be at liberty to identify and select the nine members in accordance with procedures to be determined by that partner state.
“Uganda is committed to abiding by the Summit's decision and looks forward to participating in the necessary amendments to the Treaty to provide the legal framework for the new arrangement. Parliament of Uganda is ready to effect the necessary amendments in its rules of procedure and institutional processes required to implement this decision,” Speaker Oboth explained.
The Speakers’ Bureau meeting brought together parliamentary leaders to discuss decisions affecting regional parliamentary cooperation and the implementation of resolutions adopted by EAC Heads of State.
Oboth reaffirmed Uganda’s commitment to regional integration, saying the strength of the Community depended on Partner States working together to translate collective decisions into action.
He also confirmed Uganda’s financial contribution towards the forthcoming EAC Inter-Parliamentary Games, scheduled to take place in Arusha, Tanzania, from December 5 to 15, 2026.
According to the Speaker, Parliament had already remitted US Dollars19,239 to the Office of the Clerk of EALA to support preparations and organisation of the games.
The annual event brings together legislators from EAC Partner States to promote friendship, solidarity and cooperation among regional parliaments.