President Kibaki in Uganda for EALA meet

 By Henry Mukasa and Joyce Namutebi

Kenyan President, Emilio Stanley Mwai Kibaki arrived in the country on Monday to receive an honorary doctor of Laws (honoris causa) degree from Makerere University today [Tuesday].

Kibaki who is also the current chairperson of the summit of East African Community (EAC) heads of state will on Wednesday address the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) sitting in the Parliamentary chambers in Kampala.

According to a citation that will be read out at the ceremony, the Makerere University Council together with the University Senate resolved to honour Kibaki with the award in recognition of his “distinguished and outstanding contribution to public life at national, regional and international levels.”

“Makerere University-his Alma Mater is privileged to have formed and nurtured his leadership skills and competence,” the citation notes.

“As such, Makerere is proud of President Mwai Kibaki’s distinguished track record as a Pan-African nationalist; as one of the most brilliant and successful Ministers of Finance in Africa; and as one of the most intellectually accomplished Heads of State with an outstanding legacy in Kenya, East Africa and the African continent,” the citation to be read by Prof. Grace Bantebya Kyomuhendo states.

Kibaki, who arrived at Entebbe International airport shortly after 5.00pm, was received by the First Deputy Prime minister, Eria Kategaya. Kategaya is also the minister for EAC affairs.

Also present at the airport to receive him was the EALA Speaker, Abdirahin H. Abdi; the head of public service, John Mitala, Makerere University Chancellor, Prof. Venesius  Byaramureba, heads of armed forces; Maj. Gen. Jim Owoyesigire (Air Force Chief), Okoth Ochola (deputy police chief) and Prisons boss, Johnson Byabashaija.

Kibaki was accompanied by the Kenyan minister for Higher Education, Prof Margaret Kamar and a large delegation. He was later driven to Kampala in a convoy that stretched more than a kilometre.

Meanwhile, President Yoweri Museveni is scheduled to address the EALA in the parliamentary chambers today [Tuesday] afternoon.

The EALA Speaker, Abdirahin H. Abdi told journalists that the Third Meeting of the fifth session of the Second EALA commenced sittings in Kampala yesterday on Monday up to February 2.

Abdi hailed Museveni, the government and citizens for accepting to host the assembly.

“EALA appreciates the wise and able leadership of President Museveni in steering Uganda to greater heights and for his significant contribution to the EAC,” he said.

He explained that Kibaki, as sitting chairperson of the summit, will deliver ‘the State of EAC’ address underlining matters of importance to the community, policies relating to the progress of the community and strategic challenges which require greater attention.

This is the last meeting EALA is holding in Kampala as the Second Assembly given that its term ends on June 4 this year.

Abdi said that to-date, the Assembly has enacted 40 pieces of legislation with five pending Bills, three of which are to be debated in this session. They are Inter- University Council for East Africa (IUCEA) Bill, the EAC Trans-boundary Eco-Systems Bill and the EAC Polythene Materials Control Bill.

The Speaker appealed to partner states to amend their laws to enable full implementation of the Common Market Protocol, whose successful implementation, he said, would transform and positively revolutionize the region.

“Partner states have made considerable progress with regards to free movement of goods. However, the implementation of other provisions of the Common Market Protocol especially regarding other ‘freedoms’ evidently still lags behind.”

On the question of presidential term limits in the respective partner states, he said it was not for the assembly to discuss.