A one-day meeting between the East African Community (EAC) Secretariat and the United States Agency for Development (USAID) on the operationalization of the five-year Regional Development Objectives Grant Agreement (RDOAG) kicked off at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania today.

USAID granted EAC US$194 million under the RDOAG which was launched in November last year, monies that will be spent on shared development goals over the next five years.

Speaking during the opening session of the meeting, USAID Deputy Mission Director for Kenya and East Africa, Ms. Candace Buzzard, said the RDOAG provides for: changes in the way USAID will do its business; strengthen USAID-EAC Partnership; stronger collaboration, coordination and communication, and; institutional strengthening.

Ms. Buzzard said USAID will coordinate more closely with the EAC to ensure better delivery of project goals. In his remarks, EAC Secretary General Amb. Libérat Mfumukeko noted that USAID’s gesture had sent a strong signal of its desire to support the Community attain its goals.

Amb. Mfumukeko said the USAID contribution would enable the Community to achieve many things. Out of the US$194 million, about US$30 million will finance institutional strengthening within the EAC Secretariat while the remainder will support other development partners in their efforts to contribute to the EAC regional integration agenda.

Among the sectors to be funded under the RDOAG include health, environment and natural resources, climate change, trade, security of populations and energy.

The First Instance Division on Friday 3rd February 2017, will deliver a judgement in the case filed by Hon. Margaret Nantongo Zziwa versus the Secretary General of the East African Community. Hon. Zziwa’s case alleges that the process of her removal from the Office of EALA Speaker was illegal and an infringement of Articles 53 and 56 of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community. 

Hon. Zziwa was the then elected Speaker of the EALA, after her impeachment, the Assembly elected Hon. Daniel Kidega as the Speaker for  EALA up to date.

The Court heard the court oral evidence from witnesses for both parties’ witnesses (the Applicant and Respondent) from 26th to 29th July 2016. Also court heard oral highlights of written submissions by counsels for the parties on 21st November 2016 that concluded the hearing of the case. The judgement will be delivered by the Honourable Judges of the First Instance Division; these are; Lady Justice Monica Mugenyi (Principal Judge), Justice Isaac Lenaola (Deputy Principal Judge), Dr. Justice Faustin Ntezilyayo, Justice Fakihi A. Jundu and Justice Audace Ngiye.

On 15th February, the Appellate Division will also resume sessions which will go up to 28th February 2017. Only four appeals will come up before the Court for scheduling conferences and hearing. All appeals will be brought before the Honourable Judges of the Appellate Division; Dr. Justice Emmanuel Ugirashebuja (President), Justice Liboire Nkurunziza (Vice President), Justice Edward Rutakangwa, Justice Aaron Ringera, and Geoffrey Kiryabwire.

On 28th February the First Instance Division, will again continue with the sessions up to 30th March 2017. A number of cases will come up for hearing, scheduling conferences and delivery of rulings and Judgments. These include; 5 hearings, 4 scheduling conferences, 2 rulings, 1 Judgement and other 2 matters.

The Court seats for a month every quarter due to the ad-hoc nature service of the Judges. Currently the President and the Principal Judge of the court are the only resident Judges in Arusha, other Judges come only when there are sessions or other court business.

All matters will be in open Court 2nd Floor EACJ wing.