The Summit of the East African Heads of State meeting in Arusha on 4 April 2006 appointed Ms Beatrice Birungi Kiraso Deputy Secretary General (Political Federation) of the East African Community.

Ms Kiraso, 45, a former Member of Parliament  in the Uganda National Assembly, holds a  Masters Degree  in Public Administration (Public  Policy Management) from Harvard University, USA (2004 ) and Bachelor of Arts  degree  from Makerere  University, Kampala  ( 1984). 

Before venturing into politics, Ms Kiraso  worked  in the private sector as Data Manager  of the agro-business consultancy firm, SEREF ACO Consultants (1985-1987); joining the public service as  Finance Officer in the Uganda Ministry  of  Finance, Planning and Economic Development  in 1987, and  Procurement Manager in the Uganda Government Central  Purchasing Corporation (1990-1996).

During her parliamentary career, Ms Kiraso  served variously  as Uganda  Representative to the ACP/EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly and Chairperson  of its Committee  for setting up  the ACP Consultative Assembly; Member  of the Select Committee  to investigate  the Privatization Process in Uganda; Member, Select Committee on the Operations of the Uganda Railways Corporation; Member  of the  Committee  on  Corporations, State Enterprises and Statutory Corporations; and Chairperson of the Committee on Finance, Planning and Economic Development (1998-2001).