Uganda to host EA Legislative Assembly sessions

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The East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) is scheduled to convene its second meeting of the fourth session in Kampala.

Speaker Joseph Ntakirutimana announced the development before the media at Parliament in Kampala on November 24, 2025.

“The meeting runs from today, Monday, November 24, 2025, until Friday, December 4, 2025,” he said.

Regional geopolitics

The development comes as the region struggles to steady itself after Tanzania’s recent presidential elections, whose contested outcome is yet to settle.

He added to that sections of the regional bloc’s 331 million citizens have raised concerns about what they describe as rampant rights abuses. Citing, among others, the continued incarceration of regional political opposition figures, Dr Kizza Besigye and Tundu Lissu, the leader of Tanzania’s Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA) party.

Ambassador Fatuma Ndangiza speaking during the press conference. (Photo by Dedan Kimathi)

It should be noted that Besigye, together with his aide, Hajj Obed Lutale, were arrested by security operatives on November 17, 2024, in Nairobi, where they had travelled to attend the book launch of Martha Karua, the leader of the People’s Liberation Party (PLP).

The duo was repatriated to Uganda, where they were first arraigned before the General Court Martial. Their cases were later transferred to civilian courts after a landmark Supreme Court ruling on January 31 this year, which annulled the trial of civilians in military courts.

However, since then, frantic efforts by People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) to which they belong to secure them bail have repeatedly collapsed, leaving many wondering whether their leader could be in for the long haul.

On the other hand, Lissu was arrested in April this year and slapped with treason charges. This, analysts say, was in connection with his nationwide “No Reforms, No Election” call. Since then, he has remained behind bars.

Today was no different. During the press conference held in Parliament’s conference hall, Ntakirutimana was pressed by journalists who accused the Assembly of being tone-deaf in the face of these pressing concerns.

However, from their side of the coin, he said they had played their part. He explained that, according to the Treaty, their mandate is purely oversight. Arguing that, as per the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community (EAC), their role is purely oversight.

EAC Framework

Under this framework, the Assembly is required to report to the Council of Ministers, comprising ministers responsible for EAC affairs in each Partner State and the respective Attorneys General. Who in turn report to the Summit, which brings together Heads of State from the eight partner states.

Namely, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Uganda and Tanzania.  

Under Article 15 (1), the Council are supposed to meet twice every year. Of which one meeting should precede a meeting of the Summit. Extraordinary meetings of the Council can be held at the request of a Partner State or the Chairperson of the Council.

The Council of Ministers serves as the Community’s policy organ, tasked with considering measures that Partner States should take to advance the objectives of the EAC.

“It is these Ministers who deal with these issues and who report, if need be, to the summit of Heads of States to solve those issues. From our side as EALA, we have been reporting all the time to the EAC Ministers. Because we as EALA members are the voices of the voiceless or voices of East African citizens,” he stated.

Heads of state meeting

“As you can see, we don’t have ministers of EAC here. It is because from November 29, our EAC Ministers from all these partner states shall be meeting and they will be discussing all these issues. Not only these political ones and human rights, but also financial ones because we are facing financial challenges as well,” he added.

Furthermore, Ntakirutimana said, “Immediately after the meeting of our Ministers, which will be on December 6, our Heads of State will meet and consider reports coming from these Ministers. Surely, we expect solutions from that Heads of State summit that will take place in Kenya.”

EALA MPs speak out

According to Amb. Fatuma Ndangiza, it is unfortunate to claim that they are mute, given that there is an established framework for addressing political matters, whether related to elections or human rights.

Pointing out that every time partner states go to the polls, the regional bloc deploys an observer mission. The latter comprises not only EALA members but civil society players among many stakeholders.

“In particular, the standing committee which is in charge of regional affairs and conflict resolution is the committee that is in charge of political matters and all its 21 members participated in the just concluded election observation in the united republic of Tanzania as part of the East African Community observation mission and it was led by the former Vice President of Uganda Her Excellency Specioza Wandera Kazibwe," Ndangiza argued.

Adding that there was a preliminary statement they made after the elections, and it is available for all who take time to read.

Although there will be a comprehensive report, she hinted that the crux of their observation touch on the conduct of elections.

That said, Stephen George Odongo, an EALA representative from Uganda, noted that elections are a sovereign matter and the Treaty is equally clear on that.

“So, we operate as sovereign states much as we are the East African Community,” he said.

“Overall, our treaty protects East Africans. It is in the principles of our Treaty to ensure that there is good governance, good neighbourliness and good treatment of our citizens. But there is also a law that regulates the conduct of citizens. So, should you find yourself at variance with the law in any partner state, you will not hide behind the East African Community,” he explained.

Inter-Parliamentary games

Away from the political clutter, Gerald Siranda Black, one of Uganda’s representatives said the EALA sittings will coincide with the Third Inter-Parliamentary Games scheduled to take place in Uganda.

Gerald Siranda Black, one of Uganda’s representatives said the EALA sittings will coincide with the Third Inter-Parliamentary Games scheduled to take place in Uganda. (Photo by Dedan Kimathi)

The event shall be held under the mantra ‘Advancing Integration through EAC Parliamentary Games.’

“With the main venue for football being Phillip Omondi in Lugogo and Kadiba in Wakaliga. The other venue for indoor games will be Makerere University and Ham Nakivubo Stadium. In Ham, you can do four sports at a go, you can have Volleyball, football, netball and darts taking place in the same venue,” he disclosed.

On the other hand, athletics shall take place in Namboole Stadium.