Uganda spearheading promotion of EAC integration

Uganda is ahead of the rest of the EAC member states in the promotion and implementation of activities and decisions reached by the East African Assembly towards the socio-economic and political federation of the region. 

Members of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) in the meeting with the Vice President Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi today observed that Uganda has moved ahead of the other member states in popularizing and implementing East African activities and programmes. 

A release from the VP’s office stated that Nusura Tiperu who led the group of EALA legislators currently on a campaign to sensitize the population about activities of the regional body cited the singing of the regional anthem at public functions and the implementation of the customs union among others ahead of the rest of the states. 

Tiperu also commended the Government of Uganda for the commitment to the EAC integration as manifested in the importance the Government attaches to the EAC activities and the clout accorded to the community by the high level persons appointed as Ministers responsible for the regional body. 

MPs however asked Government to equip the office of the Minister for EAC affairs with the relevant staff to be able perform its duties as coordination unit saying EAC issues are cross cutting involving all sectors and Ministries. 

They also called upon the population of the community to make use of instruments like free movement, tax free products produced or originating within the region and single tariff on goods entering the region. 

MPs also commended the leadership of Uganda for its support towards cultural integration, harmonising education fees for Government institution but asked Government support in fast tracking regional monetary union and single currency to facilitate more economic activities in the region and attract more investment. 

They also called for the harmonisation of telecom tariffs saying the current regime is exploitative and echoing President Yoweri Museveni’s concerns over telecom operations, called for new legislation paradigm to protect users against exploitative telecom operators. 

The Vice President assured the regional legislators of Uganda’s commitment in promoting and supporting the EAC efforts whose success he said will go a long way in providing a strong voice but also an extended market for the region. 

He however urged legislators to sensitise the population in the region to engage in value addition in their production if they are to be competitive even the regional market and also asked other Governments in the region to support value addition for their populations. 

He said this will facilitate economic empowerment for the region population as it moves towards political federation as a block economically, socially and politically and also pledged Government commitment in addressing the current crisis in Burundi.