Press Release

Hon Susan Nakawuki contributes to the debate in the Assembly earlier today

EALA set to pick up pending work

Posted in Press Release

East African Legislative Assembly, Arusha, Tanzania: March 15th 2018:

The Assembly is set to pick up and finalise nine pending bills which were not completed as at time the 3rd Assembly wound its work in June 2018.

In order to set the ball rolling, the House late yesterday passed a Resolution to save, retain and continue in the Assembly, Bills that were introduced by the 3rd Assembly. The Motion moved by Hon Fatuma Ndangiza, Chair of the Legal Rules and Privileges Committee, names the subsequent Bills as follows:

  1. The East African Community Whistleblowers Bill, 2016
  2. The East African Community Retirement Benefits for Specified Heads of Organs Bill, 2016
  3. The East African Community Sexual and Reproductive Health, 2016
  4. The East African Community Competition (Amendment) Bill, 2014
  5. The East African Community Trade Negotiations (Repeal) Bill, 2014
  6. The East African Community Youth Council Bill, 2017
  7. The East African Community Cross Border Trade in Professional Services Bill, 2017
  8. The East African Community Mining Bill, 2016
  9. The East African Community Integration and Anti-Corruption Bill, 2016.

Hon Ndangiza reiterated that lapsing of business before a legislature at time of expiration is deeply embedded in the longstanding parliamentary principle that provides that one Parliament cannot bind another Parliament.  However, Rule 94 of the Rules of Procedure provides for any Bill, motion of resolution that is left pending as at time of dissolution of the House if may be retained if a resolution of the House so moved is passed.

Meanwhile, the House has granted leave of absence to Hon Chris Opoka-Okumu to introduce a Private Members Bill entitled the EAC Customs Management Act (Amendment) Bill, 2018. The amendment of the Bill seeks to enhance and streamline purchase and use of exempt vehicles under the EAC.

The Motion was widely debated and received varied views during the debate.

Hon Dennis Namaara said the Motion was anchored on the need to provide flexibility with regards to movement for legislators and said it would result in efficiency for legislators.

Hon Abdikadir Ogle supported the move and said previous Members of the House had made similar requests in the past and that the mover should be granted the said opportunity to amend the Bill.

Uganda’s 2nd Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for EAC Affairs, Hon Dr Kirunda Kivejinja remarked that further consultation was vital. “The mover ought to have consulted with the Council of Ministers in advance”, Hon Dr Kirunda Kivejinja said adding that it was necessary for the Community to check if there were any financial implications. “We must be clear on this aspect,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.

The Counsel to the Community, Hon Dr Anthony Kafumbe remarked there was need for the mover of the Bill to consult further saying any amends to the fifth schedule of the Customs Management Act should be a preserve of the Council of Ministers.

Hon Susan Nakawuki reiterated that the Assembly was the legislative arm of the Community and had the powers to enact legislation.  “Anything that needs legislation should pass through the legislature in order to embrace the doctrine of separation of powers”, she added.  The legislator affirmed EALA was not trying to usurp the mandate of the Council of Ministers.

Hon Dr Jumanne Maghembe while supporting the motion reiterated that issue of purchase of two vehicles per Member was tricky and said more consultation was vital.  “We must work closely with the Council of Ministers and Summit of Heads of State to pass bills that will see assent at the end of the day”, he reiterated.

Hon Mary Mugyenyi, Hon Dr Woda Odok Jeremiah, Hon Kim Gai and Hon Simon Mbugua said EALA was a House of making laws while Hon Noor Aden said the desire to amend the Bill was occurring as a result of convenience.  Hon George Odongo said the Executive and the Legislature need to be seen to be acting in the best interest of East Africans while Hon Rose Akol remarked that it was necessary for the House to grant leave to the Member to present the Bill before ensuing debate can proceed.

- ENDS -

For more information, please contact:

Bobi Odiko
Senior Public Relations Officer
East African Legislative Assembly
Arusha, Tanzania
Tel: +255-27-2508240
Fax: +255-27-2503103
Cell: +255-787-870945, +254-733-718036
Email: BOdiko [at] eachq.org
Web: www.eala.org

About the East African Legislative Assembly:

The East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) is the Legislative Organ of the Community and has a cardinal function to further EAC objectives, through its Legislative, Representative and Oversight mandate. It was established under Article 9 of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community.

The EALA Speaker with Members of the Committee on Commissions, Statutory Committees and Enterprises led by the Leader of the delegation, Hon Hood Katuramu

Commitees from Parliament of Kenya, Uganda in Arusha

Posted in Press Release

…Pay courtesy call on Speaker, various Committees

East African Legislative Assembly, Arusha, March 14, 2018:

Speaker of EALA, Rt Hon Martin Ngoga has pledged EALA’s continued collaboration with respective Partner States’ Parliaments to bring integration closer to the people. This, the Speaker says is not just an obligation as stipulated for under the Treaty for the Establishment of the EAC but a concomitant desire by the Assembly to ensure citizens fully embrace the economic bloc. To this extent, Rt Hon Ngoga says deeper and more frequent consultation with respective Partner States’ Parliamentary Committees is of the essence.

The Speaker made the remarks while meeting separately with two key Parliamentary Committees of the Parliament of Uganda and Parliament of Kenya respectively.

At the meeting with Uganda’s Parliamentary Committee on Commissions, Statutory Committees and Public Enterprises (COSASE), the Speaker reiterated the need for effective oversight of public enterprises and corporations saying such institutions contributed to the success or failure of governance and in the utilization of efficient public resources for economic prosperity.

The leader of the delegation, Hon Hood Katuramu reiterated the need for the pursuit of monetary policy in the region, and lauded EALA for the decision to table the East African Monetary Institute Bill, 2017 and the EAC Statistics Bureau Bill 2017, both of which sailed through the First Reading at the recent Sitting in Kampala (2nd Sitting of the 1st Session). Hon Katuramu further termed peace and security as the hallmark for progress saying it would enable the region to think about progress.   The Meeting was attended by eight Members of the Committee and two staff Members.

The Speaker also held consultation with the Select Committee of the Regional Integration Committee of the Kenya National Assembly. Senator Janet Ongera led the delegation.  The Speaker informed Members that EALA had continued in its quest to pass relevant legislation that strengthen the integration process and said the Parliaments were key stakeholders to be consulted at the public hearings and prior to enactment of Bills.

The Members of the Parliamentary Committees who are in Arusha to familiarize themselves with the work of EALA are also expected to meet with different EALA Committees. The Committee from the Parliament of Uganda has met with the EALA Accounts Committee and the Committee on General Purpose. The Committee from the Parliament of Kenya will also interface with the Committee on Regional Affairs and Conflict Resolution as well as consultation with the Deputy Secretary General, Political Federation.

Article 65 of the Treaty for the Establishment of the EAC espouses the enhanced relations between the Assembly and the National Parliaments of the Partner States.

The East African Legislative Assembly has legislative functions as well as oversight of all East African Community matters. The enactment of legislation of the Community is effected by means of Bills passed by the Assembly and assented to by the Heads of State, and every Bill that has been duly passed and assented to become an Act of the Community takes precedent over similar legislations in the Partner States. EALA has to date passed 79 pieces of legislation.

- ENDS -

For more information, please contact:

Bobi Odiko
Senior Public Relations Officer
East African Legislative Assembly
Arusha, Tanzania
Tel: +255-27-2508240
Fax: +255-27-2503103
Cell: +255-787-870945, +254-733-718036
Email: BOdiko [at] eachq.org
Web: www.eala.org

About the East African Legislative Assembly:

The East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) is the Legislative Organ of the Community and has a cardinal function to further EAC objectives, through its Legislative, Representative and Oversight mandate. It was established under Article 9 of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community.

The EALA Speaker, Hon Ngoga K. Martin congratulates Hon Peter Munya upon his swearing in as an ex-officio Member of EALA

EALA swears in Uganda’s Deputy Prime Minister and Kenya’s CS for EAC as ex-officio Members

Posted in Press Release

East African Legislative Assembly, Arusha, March 13, 2018:

Two senior Ministers in the region were this afternoon sworn in as ex-Officio Members of EALA. Uganda’s 2nd Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for EAC Affairs, Republic of Uganda, Rt Hon Dr Ali Kirunda Kivejinja and the Cabinet Secretary for EAC and Northern Corridor Development in Kenya, Hon Peter Gatirau Munya, took the oath administered by the Clerk of EALA, before the EALA Speaker, Rt. Hon Ngoga K.Martin.

The Oaths of Allegiance to the House were administered in accordance with Rule 5 of the Rules of Procedure of the Assembly. The Rules of Procedure say in part that: “No Member can sit or participate in the proceedings of the House until the Oath or Affirmation of Allegiance to the Treaty is taken”.

First to take the Oath of Allegiance was the Cabinet Secretary for East African Community and Northern Corridor Development in the Republic of Kenya, Hon Peter Gatirau Munya. The Cabinet Secretary was ushered into the House by Hon Mpuru Aburi and Hon Abdikadir Aden.

Hon Peter Gatirau Munya was sworn in as Cabinet Secretary for EAC and Northern Corridor in the Republic of Kenya on February 16th, 2018 following his appointment by H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta. Prior to his appointment as Cabinet Secretary, Hon Munya served as the first Governor of Meru County, where he was credited with many firsts among them, encouraging investment in sectors providing stable market to the local farming, creating employment and provision of vital services to the local business community.

As Governor, Hon Munya also served as the second Chairman of the Council of Governors. He previously served as a Member of Parliament for Tigania East Constituency in Meru County (2002-2007) and as Leader of the Party of National Unity (PNU). In December 2007 while serving in his second term as MP, Hon. Peter Gatirau Munya was appointed the Assistant Minister, East African Community, where he called for expansion of roads, improvement of existing harbours and building of new ports.

Hon Munya holds a Master’s Degree in International Law (International Economic Integration Law) obtained from University of Brussels in 1995 and a second Master’s Degree in Law (Public Law) obtained from the University of Georgia, USA. He is a holder of a Bachelor of Law degree (LLB Hons), from the University of Nairobi.

On his part, Hon Dr Ali Kirunda Kivejinja was led in by Hon George Odongo and Hon Rose Akol. He was appointed to cabinet by H.E. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni in November 2015 and then re-appointed in June 2016 following the elections in the country.

Rt Hon Kivejinja has served in several positions in the Government of the Republic of Uganda. In 1986, he was appointed Minister of Relief and Social Rehabilitation. He has also since served as Minister of Internal Affairs. Rt. Hon Dr Kivenjinja, who holds a MSc in Zoology has been Senior Presidential Advisor for Internal Affairs to President Museveni.
 
Rt Hon Dr Kivejinja, who has also served as the head of the Veterans’ League of the ruling NRM, is also author of Uganda: The Crisis of Confidence, a book about Uganda's political history. The Minister of State for EAC, Uganda, is Hon Julius Wandera who according to Article 48 of the Treaty may participate in the Sittings in absence of Rt. Hon Dr Kivejinja. 

EALA Speaker, Rt Hon Ngoga K. Martin, hailed the swearing in of both Ministers and said EALA and the region stood to benefit a great deal from their experiences.

The Sitting today was also attended by legislators from the Republic of Kenya and Uganda who are currently in Arusha familiarizing with the activities of EALA and deepening the relationship with the National Parliaments. Kenya’s Regional Integration Committee is headed by Senator Janet Ongera while Hon Hood Katuramu leads the Committee on Commission, Statutory Committees and Public Enterprises (COSASE) from Parliament of Uganda.

- ENDS -

For more information, please contact:

Bobi Odiko
Senior Public Relations Officer
East African Legislative Assembly
Arusha, Tanzania
Tel: +255-27-2508240
Fax: +255-27-2503103
Cell: +255-787-870945, +254-733-718036
Email: BOdiko [at] eachq.org
Web: www.eala.org

About the East African Legislative Assembly:

The East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) is the Legislative Organ of the Community and has a cardinal function to further EAC objectives, through its Legislative, Representative and Oversight mandate. It was established under Article 9 of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community.

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