Posted in Press Release
The Assembly has granted leave to two Members to introduce Private Members’ Bills pursuant to article 59(1) of the Treaty and Rule 64 of the Rules of Procedure.
Hon. Margaret Nantongo Zziwa will move the EAC Whistleblowers Protection Bill, 2015 while Hon. Frederic Ngenzebuhoro has been granted permission to introduce the EAC Retirement Benefits for Specified Heads of Organs Bill, 2015.
The object of the Whistleblowers Protection Bill, 2015 is to create an enabling environment for both the Partner States’ citizens and non-citizens to disclose freely, information on corrupt or improper conduct both in the public and private sectors in the Community.
The Bill is premised on Article 6 of the Treaty in which Partner States undertook to promote the principles of good governance including adherence to the principles of democracy, the rule of law, accountability, transparency, social justice and equal opportunities among others.
It hopes to provide for the protection from victimisation of whistleblowers as well as procedures for making disclosures.
In her justification, Hon. Zziwa decried the increasing reports of graft, corruption and public plunder of resources across board in the EAC region. The recent Papal visit according to Hon. Zziwa was in addition to seeking forgiveness, also an opportune moment to reflect on a number of issues.
“You will recall the Papal decried tribalism, sectarianism which has caused pain in Africa and called for forgiveness and love. He further urged leaders to desist from corruption likening it to the licking of sugar”, the legislator said.
“Corruption and graft has eaten on to the very fabric of our society and we must find ways out of the vice”, Hon. Zziwa said, adding that a number of stakeholders including Auditor Generals had shown support for the envisaged Bill.
The Bill will enhance accountability, social justice and ultimately, the rule of law.
Hon. Susan Nakawuki said it was time to put up a spirited fight to tame corruption. “To some extent even we as legislators sometimes receive anonymous letters from people who have information on matters under investigation. Such people are whistleblowers in their own rights and need to be protected. What is needed is a framework to protect them”, she said.
Hon. Martin Ngoga said though the envisaged Bill is self-sustaining, it was part and parcel of other bigger pieces of legislation that should be introduced in future to comprehensively tackle corruption.
A second Bill that shall be introduced to the House by Hon. Frederic Ngenzebuhoro is entitled The East African Community Retirement Benefits for Specified Heads of Organs Bill, 2015.
The Bill seeks to make provision for retirement benefits for specified leaders who have honourably served and completed their terms on the service of the Community.
It specifically provides retirement benefits for the former President of the East African Court of Justice, the former Speaker of the East African Legislative Assembly and the former Secretary General of the East African Community.
The mover said that the Heads of Organs of the Community are an embodiment of the Integration process.
“EAC should take care of their former leaders, since even in retirement, they are an embodiment of the EAC and a resource,” Hon. Ngenzebuhoro said.
The Bill is seconded by Hon. Dora Byamukama who says the practice of giving retirement benefits is not new to the Community.
“We are adopting best practices from some of the Partner States such as Uganda,” Hon. Byamukama said.
“It is from this House that we are also getting eminent persons who continue to be champions of integration and make a pool of resource for the Community”, she added.
Posted in Press Release
EALA has today debated and adopted the Report of the Committee on the Audited Accounts of the EAC for the Year ended 30th June 2014.
During debate, Members called for improvement on the financial performance of the Community, review of procurement procedures and adherence to the set regulations. They further want the absorption of funds by the Community enhanced and reimbursement of all unclaimed Value Added Tax followed.
The report presented to the House by the Chair of the Accounts Committee, Hon. Jeremie Ngendakumana, covers the Committees findings arising from the report of the Audit Commission and is divided into seven main parts. It includes the audit findings on the financial statements of the EAC Secretariat and its Organs and Institutions. They include the Lake Victoria Basin Commission, the Lake Victoria Fisheries Organisation and the Inter-University Council for East Africa. The Audited Financial Statements of the Civil Aviation Safety and Security Oversight Agency are also presented.
The recommendations state that all planned activities should ideally be carried out within the agreed timeframe and to avoid further delays in the implementation of planned activities. The Report further wants follow-up on disbursement of donor funds and calls on the EAC to comply with all requirements concerning funds in time and at all times.
On planning, the Committee is of the view that EAC experienced a slow start in implementing the planned activities during the year especially in the first quarter due to limited financial resources as the percentages of remittances by Partner States were low. As a result, a number of activities were not implemented in good time.
On Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) matters, the Committee urges the Council of Ministers to ensure the ICT Strategy is implemented at the EAC. It further wants the Assembly to direct the Council to hire additional staff in the ICT Sector to ensure financial information security of the Assembly. It also wants due diligence to be undertaken and that EAC adheres to all laid procurement Procedures.
In his contribution, Hon. Yves Nsabimana called for recruitment of staff to enable effective implementation of tasks. He further called for the implementation of the decisions and directives of the Council of Ministers. Hon. Nsabimana also cited the operationalisation of the Protocols as an area that can be better co-ordinated and said it was time for the EAC to inculcate a system that effectively ensures Protocols are enforced.
Hon. Pierre Celestin Rwigema said the Community generally was stable but added that deficiencies could be enhanced by better management of the institutions.
Hon. Abubakar Zein said all Organs and Institutions should have mechanisms for compliance to decisions once arrived at.
Others who supported the report were Hon. Isabelle Ndahayo, who said the EAC needs to bolster its Monitoring and Evaluation component. Hon. Adam Kimbisa, Hon. Martin Ngoga, Hon. Valerie Nyirahabineza and Hon. Emmanuel Nengo. Hon. Straton Ndikuryayo, Hon. Mariam Ussi and Hon. Susan Nakawuki also gave a nod to the Report.
Hon. Shyrose Bhanji said the report had revealed understaffing as a chronic problem. She cited lack of project reporting as inadequate. “We also need to abide by the Financial Rules and Regulations”, Hon. Bhanji said.
On the pending assent of 22 Bills, Hon. Bhanji said the Assembly had employed efforts in passage of the Bills. “The Council needs to tell us what the problem is”, she said.
Also, supporting the Report was Hon. Peter Mathuki who said social security of staff was necessary as a statutory deduction. He remarked that issue of staff privileges need to be harmonised in all institutions across the Partner States.
In his response, the Chair of the Council of Ministers, Hon. Shem Bageine reiterated the Institutional Review would be deliberated on and final submissions presented to the Summit when it sits possibly early next year.
“I assure the House, the next Council and subsequent Summit shall take a decision on the matter”, he said.
“It is an important review which will include elevating the status of the Secretariat and political presence in Arusha to finalise matters”, he added.
The Committee further wants the Council of Ministers to address issues of tax exemption within all Partner States. This is in line with Article 4 Section 1, Sub-section (d) of the EAC Headquarters Agreement with the United Republic of Tanzania which provides for exemption of all taxes.
Under the projects and programmes, the Committee urges the Council to implement the project activities in order to achieve the set goals within the planned period of the project. The projects should also achieve the goals within the planned period of the project.
All unrecovered imprests should also be recovered from the institutions of the Community while it also suggests that the Secretary General be given powers to sanction all staff who contravene staff rules.
The House also received the Annual Report of activities for the period 2013/2014 that was tabled by the Minister for EAC Affairs, Hon. Valentine Rugwabiza.