International Organization for Migration to work closely with EAC on regional migration issues

Posted in Press Release

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) will continue working closely with the East African Community (EAC) to address issues of migration within East Africa.

IOM’s Regional Director for East and the Horn of Africa, Mr. Jeffrey Labovitz, said that the collapse of commodity prices on the world market and inflation had badly affected economies in East Africa and neighbouring countries, adding that this coupled with ongoing conflict would necessitate migration within the region.

Mr. Labovitz said poorly performing economies would mean people having problems in accessing farming implements and inputs which in turn contribute to low agricultural yields.

Mr. Labovitz noted that EAC Partner States had been quite generous and humane in hosting refugees from neighbouring countries riven with conflict. The IOM official singled out the Ugandan model of refugee management whereby refugees are integrated into local communities and given land to farm rather than being put into refugee camps.

He said the United Republic of Tanzania, which hosts many refugees, was keen on learning from Uganda on how to handle refugees and urged other African countries to follow suit.

Mr. Labovitz was speaking when he paid a courtesy call on the EAC Secretary General, Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko, at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.

In response, Amb. Mfumukeko thanked IOM for its close cooperation with the EAC on matters of migration and refugees, adding that refugees need food, medical assistance and educational facilities for their children.

The Secretary General said that the Ugandan model of integrating refugees into host communities was good because it enabled refugees to stabilize and continue with their lives as they wait for normalcy to return to their countries of origin.

Some of the critical migration challenges facing the EAC include: the free movement of persons and labour; internally displaced persons, and; forced migration. The EAC has been working with IOM to address the free movement of persons and labour and in the collection of migration data.

During the function, Mr. Labovitz was accompanied by the IOM Chief of Mission in Tanzania, Dr. Qasim Sufi and the Head of Programmes at IOM Tanzania, Ms. Tamara Keating. Amb. Mfumukeko was flanked by the Director of Social Sectors, Ms. Mary Makoffu, and the Labour and Employment Officer, Mr. Stephen Niyonzima.

5th EAC University Students’ Debate on regional integration concluded at the Kigali Independent University

Posted in Press Release

The 5th EAC University students’ debate, themed “Youth Participation in Electoral Democracy”, has concluded at the prestigious Kigali Independent University (ULK), with the appointment of the new EAC Youth Ambassadors for next one year.

Addressing the students and guests at a colourful gala dinner and award ceremony, the Founder and President of Kigali Independent University, Prof. Dr. Rwigamba Balinda, reiterated that debates train students in critical thinking and creativity which are important for their success in the digital age as well as in knowledge acquisition and development.

Prof. Dr. Balinda said that debating enhances an individual’s communication skills and encourages research, adding that it also inculcates the culture of agreeing to disagree in addition to promoting tolerance and peaceful co-existence in the society.

“At national, regional and global levels, debating/communication skills are essential in negotiations and dialogues,” said the scholar.

The ULK President challenged the youth to play an active role in promoting the EAC integration agenda by mobilizing, sensitizing and advocating for fellow students and youth through the EAC Youth Ambassadors’ Platform.

“Our commitment and assurance as educators/higher learning institutions is that we shall continue providing you with a conducive environment, guidance and support to make your requisite contribution. We in Rwanda have established debating clubs in universities, secondary schools and held national inter-university and secondary school students’ debates on regional integration annually,” said Prof. Balinda.

Speaking during the same occasion, the EAC Deputy Secretary General (DSG) in charge of Political Federation, Mr. Charles Njoroge, said one of the cardinal objectives of the EAC University students’ debate is “building a critical mass of youths as drivers of the integration process” and to spread the gospel of integration among peers and build strong relationships and networks that will solidify the integration process.

The DSG urged Ministries responsible for EAC Affairs in the Partner States and political leaders to support the work of the EAC Youth Ambassadors, who have been selected this year, to effectively promote and implement their integration programmes.

These include but are not limited to mobilization, sensitization and information sharing with their peers,” said Mr. Njoroge.

He said the 5th Debate was a transition that marks the end of term for the EAC Youth Ambassadors for 2015/2016, but also ushers in the beginning of a new term for the new EAC Ambassadors for 2016/2017.

He urged the new and outgoing Ambassadors to continue being proactive and advocating for the EAC integration in whatever they do so as to sustain their slogan; “EAC Youth – We move it.”

At the end of the debate, Mr. Patrick Ssemwogerere, from the Uganda Christian University in Mukono, Uganda emerged the Best Male Debater, while the Best Female Debater was Ms. Munduru Lucy Mega, from the International University of East Africa in Kampala, Uganda.

The Best Debating Team was the Alternative Strategy Team that comprised Patrick Ssemwogerere from Uganda Christian University, Iribagiza Rose Kelly from National University of Rwanda’s College of Business and Economics, David Ndika from University of Dar es Salaam, and Muthuri Brian Kithinji from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology in Kenya.

The newly appointed EAC Youth Ambassadors and their Deputies for the period 2016/2017 are as follows:

• Rwanda: Ms. Iribagiza Rose Kelly from the National University of Rwanda (Ambassador) and her Deputy is Ms. Yves Rene Uwayo also from the National University of Rwanda
• United Republic of Tanzania: Yohana Mayenga from the University of Dar es salaam (Ambassador) and his Deputy is Ms. Suzane W Mollel from Makumira University in Arusha, Tanzania
• Kenya: Ms. Yvonne Anna Gathoni Muriithi Muthuri from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa in Nairobi (Ambassador) and her Deputy is Muthuri Brian Kithinji from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology
• Uganda: Muhumuza Umar from the Mbarara University of Science and Technology (Ambassador) and his Deputy is Ms. Naluyima Agwang Samantha from Makerere University in Kampala

University Students Debaters from the Republic of Burundi were expected but did not show up. The Republic of South Sudan that has just joined the Community is expected to participate in the 6th edition of the Students’ Debate.

The Secretariat organized a two-days Training of Trainer’s and an induction workshop for the newly appointed EAC Youth Ambassadors on EAC integration, structures and processes that took place from 2nd to 3rd November 2016, at the Kigali Independent University.