EAC Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania, 30th May, 2018:
The stakeholders meeting for Risk and Crisis Communications (RCC) on Communicable and Non-communicable diseases organized by the East African Community Secretariat (EAC) and Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) through the support of Pandemic Preparedness in region (PanPrep) project has concluded in Nairobi, Kenya.
The objectives of the meeting was to broaden the range of awareness of experts involved in risk and crisis communication in the EAC region, facilitate a common understanding of the RCC, introduce the participants to the concept of risk and crisis communication in One Health context and extend Technical Working Group on RCC that will develop a regional RCC strategy and Standard Operating Procedures.
The meeting also explored the opportunities for collaboration and leveraging resources to implement risk and crisis communication within region and committed to support the development and implementation of the regional risk and crisis communication strategy.
Making his remarks during the official opening session on behalf of the EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Productive and Social Sector, Hon Christophe Bazivamo, the EAC Principal Health Officer, Dr. Stanley Sonoiya, expressed his sincere appreciation to the GIZ for supporting the stakeholders meeting.
He underscored the importance of the meeting, which build capacity as well as enable the participants to communicate better whenever there are outbreaks that affect both human beings and animals. Dr. Sonoiya said that medical experts have technical skills but noted that there was a missing gap in terms communication between them and the people at large.
On her part, the GIZ-EAC Project Manager of Pandemic Preparedness, Dr. Irene Lukassowitz highlighted the importance of the project, which is aimed at strengthening the EAC Secretariat in its regional pandemic preparedness support function following a One Health approach.
Note to Editors:
The 15th Ordinary Meeting of the EAC Sectoral Council of the Ministers of Health that took place from 13th to 7th November, 2017 approved the expansion o the EAC Technical Working Group on Communicable and Non-Communicable diseases to include Risk and Crisis Communication (RCC) experts. The EAC Partner States were notified of the decision and in line with the One Health approach requested to nominate a total of 7 RCC experts from different sector, namely from human health (South Sudan), animal health (Burundi), environment (Rwanda) agriculture and wildlife (Tanzania), trade (Kenya), One Health (Uganda) and tourism (Zanzibar). Nominated were experts from health, agriculture, trade, environment and communications.
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For more information, please contact:
Mr Owora Richard Othieno Head, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Department EAC Secretariat Arusha, Tanzania Tel: +255 784 835021 Email: OOthieno [at] eachq.org
About the East African Community Secretariat:
The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organisation of five Partner States, comprising Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda, with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
The East African Court of Justice, Arusha, Tanzania, 26th May, 2018.
The Appellate Division on Friday ruled in favour of Hon. Dr. Margaret Nantongo Zziwa (Appellant) and ordered that she be awarded compensation in the sum of US$114,000 with interest thereon at six (6) per cent per annum from 24th February, 2015 when she filed her Amended Reference till payment in full. This was a result of her illegal removal from the office of the Speaker of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) which the Court averred was an infringement of Articles 53 and 56 of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community.
The Appellate Court in its judgement set aside the findings by the Trial Court (First Instance Division) that it had no jurisdiction to grant the remedy of damages and substituted it with a finding that the Trial Court had the jurisdiction or mandate to grant that remedy. It also set aside the order on costs by the Trail Court and ordered that the Appellant be granted the costs of the Reference and of the Appeal, and that such costs are certified for two counsels.
This was an Appeal by Dr. Zziwa (“the Appellant”) against the Judgment of the First Instance Division of this Court (“the Trial Court”) dated 3rd February, 2017 whereby the Trial Court partially allowed the Amended Reference filed in the Trial Court on 24th February, 2015 and ordered each party to bear their own costs. The Appellant who was a member of the EALA from the Republic of Uganda was in June 2012 elected as the Speaker of EALA. On 24th February, 2015, the Appellant filed in the Trial Court an Amended Reference in which she contested the legality of her purported removal from office on 26th November, 2014.
“We are of the firm opinion that the full effectiveness of East African Community Laws including the Treaty and the protection of the rights granted by such laws requires the Court to grant effective relief by way of appropriate remedies in the event of breach of such laws,” said the Judges.
The Court added that the Trial Court having found that the proceedings for the removal of the Appellant as Speaker were null and void and that, accordingly, her removal was illegal and in breach of the Treaty, it followed, in their view, that in the eyes of the law she continued to hold the office of Speaker and the Court could not but order her reinstatement as part of its mandate to ensure adherence to the law and compliance with the Treaty.
In addition, the Appellate Court held that Articles 23(1) and 27(1) of the Treaty do not confine the Court’s mandate to mere interpretation of the Treaty and the making of declaratory orders but confer on the Court, being an international judicial body, as an aspect of its jurisdiction, the authority to grant appropriate remedies to ensure adherence to law and compliance with the Treaty.
The Court also found and held that the lamentation by the Trial Court that it had no power under the Treaty or the Rules to grant the remedy of reinstatement was without justification in the Treaty itself or in the law of responsibility of international organizations.
Furthermore, the Appellate Court rejected the submissions of the Respondent (the EAC Secretary General) that the prayer for the reinstatement of the Appellant was moot or overtaken by events as at the date of Judgment by the Trial Court. The Appellate Court noted that the record shows that the Appellant was suspended from office on 26th November 2014, she filed the Reference on 10th December, 2014, Hon Kidega was elected as Speaker to replace her on 19th December, 2014, the Amended Reference was filed on 24th February, 2015, the Judgment of the Trial Court was delivered on 23rd February, 2017, and the life of the Assembly ended in June 2017.
The Court added that, at the time of the Judgment appealed from, the life of EALA had not come to an end and, accordingly, an order for the Appellant’s reinstatement would not have been moot. However the Appellant’s prayer for reinstatement as the Speaker of the Assembly was declined.
On the question as to whether the remedy should have been refused in regard to the doctrine of separation of powers, the Court rejected the Trial Court’s holding to that effect, that EALA having violated Article 56 of the Treaty in removing the Appellant from office and that conduct being attributable to the Community in international law (as was determined by the Trial Court), the Community cannot invoke the doctrine of separation of powers to bar the Court from ordering her reinstatement on the basis that matters of election and removal of the Speaker are within one of its organ’s exclusive mandate.
Also, the Court added that it is in complete agreement with the jurisprudence from the superior courts of the Partner States cited, from which may be distilled the principle that the doctrine of separation of powers is only sacrosanct (untouchable) where the independent organs of the State concerned are acting within the law. That any State organ or institution that marches out of step with the law is liable to be brought in line by the courts with the sword of checks and balances. In the premise, the doctrine of separation of powers could not and cannot in either international law or internal law (which is not relevant in the case at hand) shield any Community organ or institution from judicial scrutiny for any transgression of the Treaty or other Community laws.
“It is clear to the Court that EALA’s removal of the Appellant as Speaker in contravention of the Treaty was an internationally wrongful act which is attributable to the Community and accordingly entails the Community’s international responsibility,” the Court said.
The Court was also persuaded that the Trial Court exercised its discretion improperly in denying the Appellant her costs. It observed that even the Trial Court itself was not certain that the Appellant’s conduct triggered the litigation. The Trial Court’s conclusion was that “quite possibly” such conduct “could have” triggered the unfortunate series of events the subject matter of the Reference. In the Appellate Court’s view, the Appellant’s alleged conduct was a red herring (information intended to be misleading). And that it was definitely not conduct in the Reference or conduct that gave rise to the Reference. In the premise, it was an irrelevant factor, and the Trial Court, in taking it into account in exercising its discretion, thus exercised such discretion improperly.
That it is also clear that the Appellant has substantially succeeded in this Appeal and the Court finds that the Appellant is entitled to her costs both in this Court and in the Trial Court
As regards certification for two Counsels, the Court said that the Appellant was represented by Counsel from two different law firms in Kampala, Uganda. In the result, “we would certify the case as appropriate for costs for two Counsels in this Court and below.” The Appellant is, in this Court, as she was in the Trial Court, represented by Mr. Justin Semuyaba, duly instructed by Semuyaba Iga & Co. Advocates of Kampala and Mr. Jet John Tumwebaze, duly instructed by the firm of Kampala Associated Advocates of Kampala. Both Counsel for the Appellant and herself Hon. Dr. Zziwa accompanied by Captain Francis Babu, were present in court to receive the Judgment. Dr Anthony Kafumbe Counsel to The Community and his Representative Ms Brenda Ntihinyurwa, for the Secretary General were also present in Court.
The Judgment which was delivered by Honourable Justices: Dr Emmanuel Ugirashebuja (President of the Court), Liboire Nkurunziza (Vice-President), Justice Edward Rutakangwa, Aaron Ringera and Geoffrey Kiryabwire.
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For more information, please contact:
Yufnalis Okubo Registrar East African Court of Justice Arusha, Tanzania Tel: +255 27 2162149 mail: Okubo [at] eachq.org www.eacj.org
About the East African Court of Justice:
The East African Court of Justice (EACJ or ‘the Court’), is one of the organs of the East African Community established under Article 9 of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community. Established in November 2001, the Court’s major responsibility is to ensure the adherence to law in the interpretation and application of and compliance with the EAC Treaty.
Arusha is the temporary seat of the Court until the Summit determines its permanent seat. The Court’s sub-registries are located in the respective National Courts in the Partner States.
East African Legislative Assembly, Arusha, May 26, 2018:
The East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) resumes its Sitting in Nairobi, Kenya, on Monday, May 28th, 2018. The Fifth Meeting of the First Session of the 4th Assembly, runs until June 15th, 2018 in the Kenyan capital.
Topping the packed agenda of the Assembly, is a Special Sitting expected to be addressed by H.E President Uhuru Kenyatta at a later date to be communicated.
Other key highlights of the Assembly, to be presided over by Speaker, Rt Hon Ngoga Karoli Martin, include the tabling of the EAC Budget Speech for the Financial Year 2018/19, the anticipated debate and enactment of three pieces of legislations and possible adoption of several reports. The Bills to be debated include the EAC Community Supplementary Appropriation Bill, 2018, the East African Community Appropriation Bill, 2018 and the Administration of the EALA (Amendment) Bill, 2018.
The EAC Budget speech is expected to be delivered on June 4th, 2018 by the Chair of the Council of Ministers. The Assembly is subsequently then expected as is part of its mandate to debate and to approve the contents of the Budget speech, which is a key activity of the EAC calendar.
Last year, (June 2017), EALA approved the bloc’s budget estimates for the Financial Year 2017/2018, totaling $110,130,183. The 2017/2018 Budget themed: “Accelerating Implementation of the EAC Integration Agenda” was a step-up from $101,374,589 presented to the House in the previous Financial Year (2016/17). The Budget speech (then) prioritized on the consolidation of the Single Customs Territory (SCT) to cover all imports and intra-EAC traded goods, infrastructure development in the region and further liberalization of free movement of skilled labour across the Partner States.
Other activities of the Assembly include debate on the Report of the Committee on Accounts on the EAC audited financial statements for the Financial Year ended 30th June, 2016 and the Report of the Committee on General Purpose on the EAC Budget for the FY 2018/2019. With regards to the anticipated Bills, the Administration of the East African Legislative Assembly (Amendment) Bill, 2018 moved by Hon. Susan Nakawuki Nsambu, aims to amend the Administration of the East African Legislative Assembly Act, 2012 to provide for the Assembly to be wholly responsible for its administrative and financial affairs, to streamline the functions of the Commission in order to support its financial and administrative autonomy and to provide for other related matters. According to the mover of the Bill, at the 33rd Meeting of the EAC Council of Ministers, the Council granted financial and administrative autonomy to the Assembly. However, the Administration of the EALA Act in its current form does not support implementation of financial and administrative autonomy of the Assembly, prompting Hon Nsambu to move the amendment to cure the lacuna.
Furthermore, over the three week-period, the Assembly will interact with various stakeholders and citizens in a calculated move to collect views to effectively undertake its mandate and enhance its representation mandate.
The interactions include sessions with the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) the International Committee on the Red Cross (ICRC) and engagements with the Civil Society Organisations within the agriculture sector as the 3rd EAC Agriculture Budget Summit, 2008 gets underway in Nairobi on May 31st, 2018.
The Plenary Sitting is being preceded by the EALA Commission which completes its two- day Meeting on Saturday, May 26th, 2018. The Committee on Accounts and the Committee on General Purpose have also been holding meetings in Nairobi to look at pertinent areas which shall then feed in to the forthcoming Parliamentary sessions.
NOTE TO EDITORS ABOUT EALA The East African Legislative Assembly is the Legislative Organ of the East African Community. Its Membership consists of a total of 62, of whom 54 are elected Members (9 from each Partner State) and eight ex-officio members (the Ministers responsible for EAC Affairs from the Partner States, the Secretary General of the Community and the Counsel to the Community).
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 put into effect 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 and takes precedent over similar legislations in the Partner States. EALA has to date passed 79 pieces of legislation.
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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.
EAC Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania, 23rd May 2018:
Today marked the launch of a two day workshop on regional aquaculture, under the title 'Stakeholders workshop on the EU-EAC TRUE-FISH Programme'.
The workshop is co-hosted by the East African Community (EAC), the Delegation of the European Union (EU) to Tanzania and to the EAC and the Lake Victoria Fisheries Organization (LVFO). It is also supported by two technical partners: the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) and WorldFish.
Addressing the media, EAC Secretary General Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko, said that despite efforts by riparian countries around Lake Victoria, measures to sustainably manage capture fisheries remained a big challenge with stocks of Nile Perch and Tilapia declining drastically.
“Notably, aquaculture in East Africa has not developed its potential and accounts for only 7-8% pf regional fish consumption. Overall demand for fish in the region is projected to rise substantially in the near future due to high growth, increasing incomes and urbanization. Developing aquaculture to meet the increasing demand for fish in East Africa is therefore crucial,” said Amb. Mfumukeko.
Amb. Mfumukeko disclosed that the five-year project would run from 2019 to 2024 with a budget of 10 million Euros from the European Development Fund, adding that this was a component of the 85 million Euros committed to EAC projects in agriculture, infrastructure, investment and private sector development by the EU.
Addressing the media, the Head of Delegation of the European Union to Tanzania and the EAC, H.E. Ambassador Roeland van de Geer reiterated the importance of fish farming having the potential to be a key driver for poverty eradication and sustainable development in the region: “Not only will fish farming help improve regional nutrition and food security. It will also provide new sources of rural income and contribute to contain pressure on the wild resources of the Lake Victoria”. He further stressed that the EU-EAC TRUE-FISH programme aims to tackle some of the key challenges as well as sustainability risks for the development of market-led, competitive and sustainable commercial aquaculture in the Lake Victoria basin.
The Country Director of WorldFish for Zambia and Tanzania, Mr Sloans Chimatiro, indicated that: “in the face of climate change, sustainable aquaculture practices offer water, energy and feed conversion efficiencies superior to any other domesticated animal food production system”.
The Executive Secretary of LVFO, Mr. Godfrey V. Monor, said that catches and biomass of fish in the lake and in particular Nile perch and Nile tilapia have declined and stressed that this has been accompanied by a corresponding reduction in per capita fish consumption. Consequently, he continued, “EAC Partner States are making efforts to put in place mechanisms to increase fish production through aquaculture. The LVFO, a specialized Institution of the EAC, coordinating the management and development of fisheries and aquaculture in the region, is spearheading this effort. LVFO has been instrumental in the development of the EAC Regional Strategy and Implementation Plan (2015–2020) for sustainable aquaculture and other documents providing inter alia for the establishment of harmonised legal frameworks. As well, it has been instrumental for the formulation of the EU-EAC TRUE-FISH Programme”.
The FAO Representative in Tanzania, Mr Fred Kafeero, stated that FAO has a long history in East Africa, particularly in fisheries and aquaculture on the Great Lakes. He said "Through its Sub-Committee for the Management of Lake Victoria, the Lake Victoria Fisheries Organization was established and inaugurated. As such the link between FAO and LVFO is a lasting one. Likewise FAO has strong links with WorldFish and has benefited from a long-standing relationship with the EU not only in fisheries and aquaculture, but in all aspects of food and agriculture-related aspects in rural development and beyond. All the right elements are there for a successful programme".
The main objectives of the workshop are to present and discuss the final design of the EU funded programme to the key stakeholders, place the programme in the context of wider fisheries and aquaculture topics of interest for the region, including on gender, and hold thematic working sessions to kick-off consultations for the preparation of implementing projects.
The workshop will be combined with Europe Day celebrations under the theme 'Gender and aquaculture'. Similar celebrations were marked on 9 May in Dar es Salaam and 17 May in Dodoma under the theme 'Gender and Agriculture. Europe Day commemorates the 'Shuman declaration' in 1950 when French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman set out his idea for a new form of economic, and political cooperation in Europe, which led in 1957 to the Treaty of Rome. The Treaty of Rome is one of the constitutional basis of the European Union and a pillar of peace and prosperity in the region.
NOTES TO EDITORS
The TRUE-FISH programme has a total estimated cost of EUR 10.15 million (Approximately TZS 28 billion) and a total amount of European Development Fund contribution of EUR 10 million (Approximately TZS 27. 6 billion) over the period of 5 years (2019-2024).
The programme aims to contribute in developing competitive, gender equitable and sustainable commercial aquaculture in the Lake Victoria basin. It has three specific objectives: 1) BUSINESS: to improve access to commercial networks for aquaculture-related businesses 2) SKILLS: to increase availability and quality of local skilled workers for the development of aquaculture-related businesses 3) SUSTAINABILITY: to improve sustainability and bio-security of regional aquaculture production systems
Activities associated with the first specific objective include the establishment of a regular East African Aquaculture Exhibition and Conference, strengthening business linkages with the Egyptian and West African aquaculture sectors; and research and packaging of industry information.
The second specific objective covers the upgrading of practical training delivery by three Technical Vocational and Educational Training institutions (RIAT in Kisumu, FTI in Entebbe, and the FETA-NFFI in Nyegezi, Mwanza), and strengthening linkages between the training institutions, and with aquaculture business operators.
The third specific objective will work in areas related to strengthening aquatic animal health conditions, zoning of Lake Victoria, and protection of biodiversity. Geographical scope: the programme focuses mainly on Lake Victoria and other lakes within its basin (Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania); components on aquatic animal health can be extended to other EAC Member States.
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For more information, please contact:
Mr Owora Richard Othieno, Head of Department; Corporate Communications and Public Affairs, East African Community Secretariat Direct Line: +255 784 835021 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Website: http://www.eac.int
Dr. Robert Kayanda, Director of Fisheries Resources Monitoring and Research, Lake Victoria Fisheries Organisation E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Website: http://www.lvfo.org
Ms Susanne Mbise, Press & Information Officer, Delegation of the European Union to Tanzania and to the EAC Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Website: http://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/tanzania/
East African Community Secretariat, Arusha, Tanzania, 21st May, 2018:
The Secretary General of the East African Community (EAC), Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko, concluded the first phase of visits to the EAC Institutions in Kenya and Uganda over the weekend.
The visits, which started on the 16th May, 2018, covered the Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC) located in Kisumu, Kenya; the Lake Victoria Fisheries Organization (LVFO) in Jinja, Uganda; the Inter University Council of East Africa (IUCEA) in Kampala; and the Civil Aviation Safety and Security Oversight Agency (CASSOA) in Entebbe, Uganda on 19th May, 2018.
The purpose of the visits is for the Secretary General to familiarize himself with the institutions and to understand their contribution to the integration process and the challenges they face in the discharge of their mandates.
The second phase of the visit will be conducted in June 2018, and will see Amb. Mfumukeko visit the East African Kiswahili Commission (EAKC) based in Zanzibar; the East African Science and Technology Commission (EASTECO) in Kigali, Rwanda; and the East African Health Research Commission (EAHRC) which is based in Bujumbura, Burundi.
At the LVBC headquarters in Kisumu, Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko met the Executive Secretary, Dr. Ali Said Matano and his staff and got briefs from the Heads of Departments on the key achievements and challenges of the Institution.
During his visits to Kisumu, the Secretary General paid a courtesy call to the Governor of Kisumu County, H.E. Peter Anyang' Nyong'o, who expressed the need for LVBC to work together with the County Government of Kisumu and urged LVBC to create more awareness on their activities to the residents of Kisumu County.
The Secretary General toured the Lake Victoria Water and Sanitation (LVWATSAN) 11 project site infrastructures located in Keroka, in Nyamira County.
At the Lake Victoria Fisheries Organization (LVFO) in Jinja, Uganda, the Secretary General met the Executive Secretary, Godfrey Monor and got briefs from the Heads of Departments on the key achievements and challenges of the Institution. Amb. Mfumukeko later on toured the Source of the Nile (SON) Fish Factory and Farm.
Established in 2005, SON has breeding and juvenile ponds at Bugungu Farm near Jinja, small fish cages in Lake Victoria in addition to manufacturing its own feed on site. The factory harvests 10,000 tonnes of tilapia per annum and has a strong emphasis on health and safety, sustainability and community projects.
At IUCEA, the Secretary General met the Executive Secretary, Prof. Alexandre Lyambabaje, and got briefs from the Heads of Departments on the key achievements and challenges of the Institution.IUCEA intends to construct the second phase of its headquarters to accommodate all staff, Archives and Conference Halls.
Amb. Mfumukeko concluded his tour by visiting the CASSOA headquarters. The Ag. Executive Director, Mr Emile Nguza Arao, briefed the Secretary General on the Institution and informed him that CASSOA was voted by International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) as the second best safety and security agency in the world out of 17 organizations.
During the visits, the Secretary General emphasized to all institutions the need to focus on implementing their priorities as set out in the EAC’s 5th Development Strategy. He urged all the Heads of Instructions to implement reforms geared at cutting costs and ensuring frugal use and accountability of EAC resources, and endeavour to build synergy with other EAC Organs and Institutions.
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For more information, please contact:
Mr Owora Richard Othieno Head, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Department EAC Secretariat Arusha, Tanzania Tel: +255 784 835021 Email: OOthieno [at] eachq.org
About the East African Community Secretariat:
The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organisation of five Partner States, comprising Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda, with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
19th May, 2018, Kigali Conference and Exhibition Village, Kigali, Republic of Rwanda:
The East African Science and Technology Commission (EASTECO) in collaboration with the East African Regional Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Engineering and e-Health at the University of Rwanda, the EAC Secretariat and Partner States convened the 2nd EAC Regional e-Health and Telemedicine Ministerial Conference and International Trade Exhibition at the Kigali Conference and Exhibition Village, Kigali, Rwanda on 17th May, 2018.
The Ministerial Conference considered the report and recommendations of the 2nd EAC Regional e-Health and Telemedicine Workshop that was held from 15th to 16th May, 2018 at the same venue.
The theme of the Conference was “harnessing science, technology and innovation to transform healthcare delivery and accelerate the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals in East Africa.”
The meeting was attended by the Rt. Hon. Dr. Ali H. Kirunda Kivejinja, Second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of EAC Affairs, Uganda and Chairperson of the EAC Council of Ministers; Hon. Sarah Achieng Opendi, Minister of State for Health, Uganda; Hon. Dr. Patrick Ndimubandi, the State Minister for Public and Primary Health, Rwanda. Kenya was represented by Hon. Dr. Rashid Aman, Chief Administrative Secretary, Ministry of Health, and Hon. Ken Obura, Chief Administrative Secretary, Ministry of EAC and Northern Corridor Development. Hon. Ummy Mwalimu, Minister of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children was represented by Mr. Toritoi Ngosayon Bunto, the Acting High Commissioner of Tanzania in Rwanda. The Ministerial Conference brought together 120 participants from the EAC region and beyond.
In his opening remarks, the Chief Guest, Rt. Hon. Dr. Kivejinja, Chairperson of the EAC Council of Ministers underscored the “importance of the conference in bringing together public and private policymakers, technologists, academia, researchers, medical professionals, NGOs and development partners to discuss how technology can be used to enhance healthcare delivery, brainstorm on eHealth policies and regulations and showcase eHealth solutions.”
Hon. Kivejinja called for a “continuous cooperation of EAC Partner States in developing relevant policies and adopting new technologies to enhance healthcare delivery through the use of information technology and communications systems with ultimate goal of improving the standards of living and increasing life expectancy of East Africans.”
In their deliberations, the Ministers noted that the 2nd eHealth conference built on the 1st conference that was convened by the EAC Secretariat in Kigali, Rwanda in 2010, in collaboration with Partner States. The meeting recalled that the regional agenda to invest in e-Government, which incorporates e-Health, was approved by the 13th Ordinary Summit of the EAC Heads of State that was held in 2006. The Ministers further recalled that the 19th Ordinary Summit of the EAC Heads of State held in Kampala, Uganda on 23rd February, 2018 approved nine health sector investment priorities for the period 2018 to 2028 and that one of the priority areas was Investment in e-Health and that most of the other eight priorities heavily incorporate aspects of e-Health.
The 2nd EAC Regional e-Health and Telemedicine Ministerial Conference:
a) urged the EAC Partner States that do not have a National e-Health Strategy develop it in line with the WHO - ITU National e-Health Strategy Toolkit by 2020;
b) directed EASTECO to conduct an EAC regional e-Health readiness assessment incorporating aspects of systems interoperability, costs and benefits of investing in e-Health by 30th December 2019 in collaboration with the EAC Secretariat, East African Health Research Commission, Partner States’ National Science and Technology Commissions/Councils and Partners;
c) directed EASTECO to promote incubation of local digital health solutions in collaboration with the EAC Secretariat and the Partner States’ Ministries and Agencies responsible for ICT, Science, Technology and Innovation and submit progress reports to relevant Sectoral Councils and the Council of Ministers every two years;
d) urged the Sectoral Council on Health to coordinate the development of regional policies, laws, regulations, guidelines, standards, on health facility/patient safety, data sharing, data security and privacy to facilitate e-health enabled in country and cross border patient referrals within the EAC Partner States by 30th June 2020
e) directed the EAC Regional Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Engineering and eHealth to conduct a study in the application of eLearning systems for training Health Professional in the Region and IUCEA to develop a regional framework to enhance regional and south-south collaboration in capacity building for e-Health by Jan 2020;
f) directed EASTECO to take leadership in convening the EAC regional e-health and telemedicine workshops, ministerial conferences and international exhibitions every two years on a rotational basis among the Partner States in last week of October as part of the meetings of the EAC Sectoral Council of Ministers responsible for Health in collaboration with the EAC Secretariat, the EAHRC and the EAC Regional Center for Excellence for Biomedical Engineering and e-Health; and
g) approved hosting of the 3rd EAC regional e-health and telemedicine workshops, ministerial conferences and international exhibitions by the Republic of Uganda from 28th to 30th October 2020 as approved by the 16th Ordinary Meeting of the EAC Sectoral Council of Ministers of Health.
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For more information, please contact:
Richard Irakoze Communication Assistant The East African Science and Technology Commission (EASTECO), 2nd Floor Telecom House, Kacyiru, Kigali, Rwanda Mobile: +250 783047164 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; C.C. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
About EASTECO
The East African Science and Technology Commission (EASTECO) was established as an institution of the EAC, with an overall objective of “promoting and coordinating the development, management and application of Science and Technology in Partner States” composed with the Republics of Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, the United Republic of Tanzania and the Republic of Uganda.
It is a semi-autonomous institution of the EAC established by the 5th Extra-ordinary Summit of the EAC Heads of State held on 18th June 2007,in accordance with Chapter 16, Article 103 (a) of the Treaty on the Establishment of the East African Community, where the Partner States undertook to promote cooperation in the development of Science & Technology within the Community.
EASTECO Headquarters are in Kigali, Rwanda, 2nd Floor Telecom House, Kacyiru.
East African Community Secretariat, Arusha, Tanzania, 19th May, 2018:
On 8 May, 2018, the Ministry of Health of the Democratic Republic Congo (DRC) declared an outbreak of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in the Bikoro Health Zone, Equateur Province in the Western part of the country.
By 15 May, 2018 a total of 44 EVD cases (3 confirmed) had been reported with 19 deaths, including three health care workers. As of 16 May, 393 contacts had been identified and are being followed. A new confirmed case in the 1.2 million people town of Mbandaka, some 150 km away from Bikoro, increases the risk of spreading the disease.
The World Health Organization (WHO), Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), the International Committee of the Red Cross and other international organization are on site and supporting the DRC in the fight against the outbreak, the ninth that has occurred in the country.
Ebola is a zoonotic virus disease that is transmitted from animals to humans. Experts believe that bats are the reservoir for the pathogen. While they do not get sick, the Ebola virus causes a severe, often fatal illness in humans. It spreads in the human population through human-to-human transmission, via direct contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected people and through contaminated surfaces and materials, such as bedding or clothing. There is no therapy yet for EVD and about 50% of people infected with the virus may die. Health workers have an increased risk due to the nature of their work that exposes them to infected people.
Five out of six EAC Partner States share borders with the DRC, and all of them maintain close trade relations with high border traffic. There are also direct flights between the DRC and individual East African Partner States. These factors have caused the EAC to be on high alert. Partner States have put safety measures in place that range from screening people arriving from DRC at the border posts for signs of the disease to alerting health personnel; enhancing diagnostic capacities at major research centres; and informing citizens of the risk and of preventive measures. To date, no cases of Ebola have been detected in the EAC region.
The EAC region has experienced a number of Ebola outbreaks in the past, and some 500 East African experts assisted in the fight against Ebola in West Africa in 2014-2016, when the disease killed more than 11,000 out of almost 30,000 infected people. These experts represent a unique pool of professionals from different disciplines, all with hands-on experience in responding to EVD outbreaks. They can be mobilised at short notice to join the common effort of preventing the disease to spread into the EAC.
Still, the EAC Secretariat encourages the public to be vigilant and alert. People should seek medical attention when the following symptoms are observed: a sudden onset of fever, fatigue, muscle pain, headache and sore throat. This is often followed by vomiting, diarrhoea, and a skin rash. It can be accompanied by internal and external bleeding (e.g. oozing from the gums, blood in the stools). The public is also urged to continue cooperating with the health workers of their nearest health facilities by availing themselves of information about EVD.
The EAC Secretariat commends the Partner States for their vigilance and quick and prudent response across disciplines as reflected in the One Health approach. The Secretariat will continue to monitor the situation together with the EAC Partner States to detect any occurrence of EVD in the region at the earliest possible time.
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For more information, please contact:
Mr Owora Richard Othieno Head, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Department EAC Secretariat Arusha, Tanzania Tel: +255 784 835021 Email: OOthieno [at] eachq.org
About the East African Community Secretariat:
The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organisation of five Partner States, comprising Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda, with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
COMESA has handed over Information and Communications Technology (ICT) equipment and analytical software worth over US$ 110,000 to the Djibouti Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU). The tools were procured through COMESA Regional Maritime Security (MASE) programme, which is funded by the European Union.
The equipment is intended to enhance the efficiency of the analytical work done by the FIU Unit as well as the quality of the intelligence disseminated to Law Enforcement Agencies and other relevant stakeholders, supporting the country’s daily efforts to fight money laundering and financial crimes.
Receiving the equipment on behalf of the government, Central Bank of Djibouti Governor Mr Ahmed Osman Ali said the fight against financial crime needs concerted efforts. “This handover we are witnessing today is very important for Djibouti and it will greatly booster our efforts in tackling the different forms of financial crime in this region.
He commended COMESA and the EU for providing the equipment and added that the Central Bank is more than ready to use it effectively and achieve the desired results.
Apart from strengthening the IT capacity of its FIU, COMESA has also assisted Djibouti in translating its anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) Laws into Arabic, an important step in the country’s endeavor to align its policies to international standards and become a member of the Middle East and North Africa Financial Action Task Force (MENAFATF).
Representative of COMESA Secretary General, Ms. Elizabeth Mutunga, said the root factor that is of concern for COMESA within the MASE programme has been to strengthen the fight against money laundering. Adding that piracy, or any other crime is motivated and propagated by money.
“If therefore, the ability for criminals to access their illicit funds arising from criminal activities is made more difficult, then we can expect that the crime will also be reduced and hopefully ultimately eradicated,”. She said.
EU Resident Representative in Djibouti Ambassador Adam Kulach said the fight against money laundering in the region will only succeed if key institutions such as Central Banks are strengthened. He reiterated the EU’s commitment to support the region and urged the Central Bank to put the equipment to good use.
Three other Regional Economic Communities (RECs) are implementing the MASE programme addressing different components of maritime security and the fight against maritime crimes. The RECs are the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the East African Community (EAC) and the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC).
The COMESA component of the programme is implemented in partnership with Interpol, focusing on building capacity in the ESA-IO region to disrupt financial network of pirates and their financiers. COMESA strives to strengthen Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) chain, from improving the legal environment to strengthening the capacity of law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute financial crimes.
NOTE TO THE EDITORS
About MASE Programme MASE is a € 37.5 million EU-funded Programme for the period 2013-2020. It is implemented by Eastern and Southern Africa and Indian Ocean Regional Organizations namely IGAD (overall coordinator), EAC, COMESA and IOC. Other partners include European missions, UN Agencies (UNODC, FAO), Interpol. The Programme comprises five result areas. COMESA’s result area is: Dismantling financial networks linked to maritime crimes and minimizing their economic impact.
About COMESA COMESA is a regional economic community established by Treaty in 1994. It brings together 19 Member States with a population of over 500 million into a cooperative framework for sustainable economic growth and prosperity through regional integration.
Contact Details Ms. Dalisto Bonongwe, MASE Coordinator. Email: dbonongwe[at]comesa.int
East African Court of Justice Arusha, 11th May 2018:
The Appellate Division allowed the Secretary General’s Application between him and Angella Amudo. The Application (1st matter heard) was seeking the Court to expunge the initial Affidavit (sworn statement) filed on 2nd December 2016 in reply to her case (Taxation Reference No. 1 of 2016).
The Court ruled that the said Affidavit be replaced with the one sworn on 19th July 2017 by Honourable Jesca Eriyo. The Court further said that, the Respondent (Angella) was duly served, she has not appeared and there are no grounds of opposition on the affidavit and in the circumstances the Application was not opposed.
Later on, the Court in the interest of Justice, under Rule 1(2) of the Court Rules on the inherent powers of the Court, decided to dismiss the other two matters (the Application No. 1 of 2017 and the Taxation Reference mentioned above) because the Applicant (Angella Amudo) did not appear in Court and also she did not appear in the previous case.
The 2nd matter (Application No. 1 of 2017) she was challenging a bill of cost in Taxation cause No.1 of 2015 lodged by the Secretary General of the East African Community, that the bill of cost does not bear the signature of the taxing officer (Registrar of the Court) at that time and that the same was not served upon her within the prescribed time. She therefore objects the hearing of the taxation matter for the allegation of being lodged contrary to Rules of the Court. Rule 113(3) of the Court Rules which provides that:
In the 3rd matter (Taxation Reference), Angella Amudo was seeking for court orders to set aside a taxation award of a sum of two thousand and ten dollars (2010 USD) granted to the Secretary General of the EAC as cost for perusals, drawing, filing documents in Court and service to the parties in the matter.
Present in Court was Ms Brenda Ntihinyurwa, Legal Expert from the Office of the Counsel to the Community representing the Secretary General.
The orders of the Court was delivered by Honourable Justices: Liboire Nkurunziza (Vice President), Edward Rutakangwa and Aaron Ringera with of the Appellate Division in open Court.
Notes for editors:
Rule 1 .(2) provides that: Nothing in these Rules shall be deemed to limit or otherwise affect the inherent power of the Court to make such orders as may be necessary for the ends of justice or to prevent abuse of the process of the Court.
Rule 113 (3) (2) and (1): provides that: (1) The Registrar shall be a taxing officer with power to tax the costs of or arising out of any claim or reference as between parties.
(2) The remuneration of an advocate by the client shall be by agreement between them. Where there is no such agreement either of the parties may refer the matter to the Registrar for taxation.
(3) The costs shall be taxed in accordance with the Rules and scale set out in the Third Schedule for the First Instance Division and Eighth Schedule for the Appellate Division”.
ENDS
For more information, please contact:
Yufnalis Okubo Registrar East African Court of Justice Arusha, Tanzania Tel: +255 27 2162149 mail: Okubo [at] eachq.org www.eacj.org
About the East African Court of Justice:
The East African Court of Justice (EACJ or ‘the Court’), is one of the organs of the East African Community established under Article 9 of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community. Established in November 2001, the Court’s major responsibility is to ensure the adherence to law in the interpretation and application of and compliance with the EAC Treaty.
Arusha is the temporary seat of the Court until the Summit determines its permanent seat. The Court’s sub-registries are located in the respective National Courts in the Partner States.
