Uganda assumes EAC chair

President Yoweri Museveni addressing the 18th EAC Summit.

President Museveni on Saturday assumed the chair of the East African Community (EAC), at the 18th Ordinary Summit of the of the Heads of State at Dar es Salaam State House, taking over the EAC chairperson seat from Tanzania's John Pombe Magufuli.

One of the highlights of the summit was the swearing-in of top new officials; a deputy secretary general and a judge of the East African Court of Justice.

Eng. Stephen Mulote of Tanzania was sworn in as a new deputy secretary general, replacing Dr Enos Bukuku who had served in the position for six years.

Sworn in to take a place on the bench of the East African Court of Justice was Dr Charles Oyo Nyawelo of South Sudan, who joins the 1st Instant Division of the court.

Dr Nyawelo has been the president of the High Court in Juba since 2006.

Students rewarded

The summit also recognized and rewarded students who excelled in the East African Secondary School Student Essay competition.

Among the excelling students was Denis Mitala of Saint Mary's College, Kisubi who emerged second best, scooping a cash prize of $1,200 and a certificate.

President Museveni congratulating the Chief Justice of South Sudan after being sworn in.

The overall winner was Ilukwayo Titi from Burundi, while the others were Retina Gatesi (Rwanda), Alex Mbogo (Tanzania) and Murungi Daphne of Kenya.

Higher education

The summit also endorsed the transformation of the EAC into a Common Higher Education Area, setting the stage for harmonization of higher education in the region.

The Executive Director of the Inter University Council, Prof Alexandre Lyambabje, said the initiative will grant equal education opportunities to all students across the region in terms of mobility and employability.