Uganda set for union

Apr 11, 2002

UGANDA is ready for the proposed East African Federation, President Yoweri Museveni said yesterday.

By Okello Jabweliand Anne MugisaUGANDA is ready for the proposed East African Federation, President Yoweri Museveni said yesterday.Speaking on the third and last day of a symposium on the future of the Great Lakes region, Museveni said Uganda supports the highest form of integration.“For us in Uganda, we are ready. I have discussed this matter with the highest political movement and they support the highest form of integration,” Museveni said.His colleagues presidents Daniel arap Moi of Kenya and Tanzania’s Benjamin Mkapa called for a faster movement towards full economic integration.The leaders made the remarks in Kampala while answering questions from delegates who have been attending the symposium organised under the auspices of the Mwalimu Nyerere Foundation.Moi said the time had come for the region to decide when the desired economic integration will become a reality.“It is good that my colleagues have established the East African Community. But we should not stop there. Let us think big and tall,” he said. “We should move forward faster than we have done hitherto.”Mkapa concurred with Moi saying, “President Moi is our chairman. He’s spoken, we line up.” Mkapa added that as countries move into closer integration, the different states must be prepared to surrender some of their sovereignty to the higher body. All three leaders were reacting to a question by Prof. Sam Turyamuhika on the steps they are taking to integrate the region. Moi and Mkapa will today attend celebrations marking 23 years after the fall of Dictator Idi Amin.Museveni said the region and Africa as a whole should completely free their markets if they are to survive the new global order.“It would even be better if we integrated our political institutions. I don’t mind the speed. It could be fast or slow.”Citing the unification of Tanzania and Zanzibar, Museveni said existing problems should not deter the region from moving forward. “I personally prefer a fast approach.” “We either have markets - regional or international or we shall be forgotten. And it is not difficult for people to forget you,” Museveni said.Moi said Africa has lagged behind other continents and may never catch up unless its leaders unite to confront the common problems afflicting the people.The Kenyan leader said the problems afflicting Rwanda and Burundi should not jeopardise their admission into the EAC.

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