East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, 8th March, 2019: The East African Community has joined the rest of the world in marking the 2019 International Women's Day under the theme, Think Equal, Build Smart, Innovate for Change. The 8th March 2019 event was held at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
As provided for in Articles 121 and 122 of the Treaty for the Establishment of the EAC, Partner States have undertaken various efforts to enhance the Role of Women in Business and Socio-Economic Development.
East African Legislative Assembly, Arusha, Tanzania: 8th March, 2019: EALA yesterday considered and approved supplementary budget estimates for the Financial Year ending June 2019, totaling $12,162,587. Subsequently, the House also passed the EAC Appropriation Bill 2019 to anchor the said budget and to avail the funds for additional expenditure of the Organs and Institutions of the Community.
The Deputy Minister of the EAC in the United Republic of Tanzania, Hon Dr Damas Ndumbaro acting on behalf of the Chairperson of the EAC Council of Ministers, presented the Budget Speech to an attentive House.
East African Legislative Assembly, Zanzibar, Tanzania: 8 March, 2019: The regional Assembly is urging Partner States to fully implement the Common Market Protocol to allow for free movement of persons, goods and services. In addition, there is need for enhanced visibility of the regional bloc and for all Partner States to harmonise their national laws to conform to that of the Community. EALA late yesterday afternoon adopted the report of the sensitization activities undertaken in the Partner States between February 1-6th, 2019, under the theme, “EAC Integration agenda: Accessing the Gains and Assessing the Challenges”. At the sensitization activities, the EALA Members met with representatives of the private sector, parliamentarians, civil society, the private sector and media among others. The objectives of the week-long activity among others, were to sensitize EAC citizens on the overall integration process and promote liaison with EAC National Assemblies and other key stakeholders.
Lake Victoria Basin Commission Secretariat, Kisumu, Kenya: Scientists from International Nitrogen Management Systems (INMS), Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA) University of Nairobi, Kenyatta University, and Makerere University in partnership with Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC) collectively reflected on strategies of harnessing Nitrogen for productivity in Lake Victoria Basin region.
East African Health Research Commission, 7th March 2019: Dar es Salaam: The Executive Secretary and CEO of the East African Health Research Commission, Prof. Gibson Sammy Kibiki, has disclosed that all is set for the 7th East African Health and Scientific Conference (EAHSC) due to take place on 27th to 29th March 2019 at the Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre (JNCC) in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Prof. Kibiki, who was addressing a Press Conference on the sidelines of the 2nd Meeting of the Regional Steering Committee of the 7th EAHSC taking place at the Tanzania’s National Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) in Dar es Salaam, confirmed that the Vice President of the United Republic of Tanzania, H.E. Samia Hassan Suluhu has confirmed gracing the official opening of the event.
The theme of the 7th East African Health and Scientific Conference (EAHSC) is Technology for health systems transformation and attainment of the UN-Sustainable Development Goals.
At the press conference, the Executive Secretary was flanked by Prof. Mohammed Bakari Kambi, the Chief Medical Officer in Tanzania’s Ministry of Health; Prof. Yunus Mgaya, the Director General of NIMR; and Prof. Eligius Lyamuya, the Chair of the 7th East African Health and Scientific Conference (EAHSC).
Prof. Kibiki informed the Journalists that the EAC Council of Ministers approved convening of the biannual event and hosted on a rotational basis by the EAC Partner States through their respective National Ministries responsible for EAC Affairs, Ministries responsible for Health, and other relevant organizations, and in close collaboration with regional and international health-related NGOs, civil society organizations, individuals, and stakeholders.
He noted that the EAHSC contributes towards strengthening regional cooperation in health in line with Article 118 of the Treaty for the Establishment of EAC as well as other relevant provisions of the EAC Common Market Protocol. “It enhances the ideals of the EAC, which is free movement of People, Services, and Goods”.
Prof. Kibiki informed the media that based on the Protocol establishing the East African Health Research Commission (EAHRC); the Commission is tasked with the responsibility of coordinating the East African Health and Scientific Conference & International Health Exhibition and Trade Fair.
The EAHSC will bring together stakeholders of the health sector from EAC (EAC Secretariat, East African Legislative Assembly, East African Court of Justice, members of the EAC Council of Ministers, members of the Summit, and EAC institutions, EAC Partner States that include Ministers of Health, Finance, Higher Education, Science and Technology, Members of Parliament from National Assemblies, government officials, researchers, scientists, practitioners, civil society, media, donors and development partners and the public at large.
As part of the pre-conference meetings, the East African Health Research Commission will organize the 1st East African Government Leaders, Legislators, and Legal Executives’ Forum (EAGLES’ Forum) on 26th March 2019 also in Dar es Salaam.
EAGLES’ Forum was approved by the 15th EAC Sectoral Council of Ministers of Health as one of the pre-conference meetings of the East African Health and Scientific Conference. It is a dialogue between Bureaucrats and Technocrats that brings together EAC government leaders, members of parliament, Officials from the judiciary system, health experts and the EAHRC to discuss health issues.
“Bringing together the three pillars of governance in the EAC and its Partner States, the forum allows for attaining consensus and collective position on pertinent health issues” noted Prof. Kibiki, adding that “the 1st EAGLES’ Forum will focus on the Digital Regional East African Community Health (REACH) Initiative Strategic Plan approved by the 17th Sectoral Council of Ministers”.
The dialogue will center on alignment of Digital REACH Initiative and Digital Health Initiatives in EAC Partner States; and on addressing issues of resources mobilization for the Digital REACH Initiative. Digital REACH Iniitative will be launched during the opening ceremony of the 7th EAHSC.
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For more information, contact:
Office of the Executive Secretary East African Health Research Commission (EAHRC) East African Community Quartier Kigobe, Avenue des Etats Unis, n°71 B.P. 350 Bujumbura, Burundi Mob: +25775568506 Tel: +(257) 22 27 99 80/1/2 Web: http://www.eac.int
About the East African Health Research Commossion:
The East African health Research Commission (EAHRC) is an Institution of the East African Community is a mechanism for making available to the Community, advice upon all matters of health and health-related research and findings necessary for knowledge generation, technological development, policy formulation and practice; and for related matters. It is the principal advisory institution to the EAC on health Research and Development (R&D).
East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania, 5th March, 2019: Above normal rainfall is expected in the East African region over the next few months, a scenario that could expose the region to increased risks of disease outbreaks.
This forecast is based on the regional climate outlook for the March to May 2019 long rainfall season provided by the Greater Horn of Africa Climate Outlook Forum held in Entebbe, Uganda.
East African Legislative Assembly, Nairobi, Kenya: 4th March, 2019: Regional Speakers have launched the East African Parliamentary Institute (EAPI) in Nairobi, with the training outfit expected to harness capacities and narrow the skills gap of Parliamentarians and staff in the quest to further strengthen the integration process.
Speaking at the official launch on Friday last week, EALA Speaker, Rt Hon Ngoga K Martin, underscored the importance of the institute’s presence in the region, to catapult the integration process and provide a valuable link between people within the EAC and beyond. He remarked that EAPI would provide an adequate base of knowledge on legislative matters to Members of Parliament and staff who at times come from different background when they join Parliaments.
Rt Hon Ngoga lauded the regional speakers for their contribution to the process. “The launch of the EAPI is definitely an indication of the total commitment accrued to the integration dispensation by Parliaments and by yourselves. It is only befitting to recognize each and every one of you for the support you have personally and/or collectively accorded and extended to the EAPI”, Rt Hon Ngoga said.
The launch of EAPI follows the enactment of the East African Parliamentary Institute Bill, 2011, which anchors and provides for the legal framework of its establishment. The EAPI Act inter alia establishes a mechanism for capacity and skills development to promote professionalism through establishment of the institute thus giving effect to article 5 (1) of the Treaty. The Speaker lauded the EAC Heads of State for assent to the Bill, whose operationalization, now sets basis for motion of the objectives of the Institute.
According to the Act, the regional Speakers form the Board of Trustees of the new Institution which shall be chaired by the EALA Speaker while the Clerk of the regional assembly shall oversee the activities of its Governing Council. At the recent 38th Meeting of the Council of Ministers, the matter of an institutional structure was discussed and according to Rt Hon Ngoga, the Board of Trustees shall promptly propel forward the administrative framework to make EAPI fully operational.
Present at the occasion were Speaker of the Kenya National Assembly, Rt Hon Justin Muturi, Rt Hon Kenneth Lusaka, Speaker of the Senate of Kenya, the Vice President of the Senate of Rwanda, Hon Gakuba Jean d’ Arc and the Chair of the EAC Committee in Parliament of Uganda, Hon Ouma George Abbott, who represented the Speaker. The Speaker Emeritus of EALA, Rt Hon Abdirahin H. Abdi, was also in attendance.
In his remarks, Speaker of Senate of Kenya, Rt Hon Kenneth Lusaka, rallied for capacity development of legislators saying in remained critical in ensuring effective service delivery to the Parliamentary leadership, legislators and the electorate. The Speaker called for collective effort on the part of parliaments and all other stakeholders towards offering sustained commitment and unity of purpose.
On his part, Speaker of the Kenya National Assembly, Rt Hon Justin Muturi, affirmed that EAPI would be a catalyst in guiding legislators to embrace evidence-based legislation which would play a key part in ensuring quality of legislation is improved. The Vice President of the Senate of Rwanda, Hon Gakuba Jean d’ Arc hailed the inception of the Institute as visionary and said the Parliament of Rwanda was committed to ensuring it is fully in operations. Hon George Ouma Abbot of Parliament of Uganda reiterated the need for strong institutions in the integration dispensation.
EAPI was initially mooted in 2001 as a joint venture between the State University of New York (SUNY), the National Assemblies of the Partner States and EALA as well as the United States International University (USIU). At that point, the FORD Foundation offered the initial seed fund.
A key conference, bringing together senior parliamentary staff from the region took place 3 years later (in 2004) and the occasion served as an avenue to share experiences with regards to implementing change and embracing modernization in the respective legislatures. Under the new arrangement, Parliaments of the region are to largely fund the institution, a move hailed as key in its long-term sustainability.
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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.
Lake Victoria Basin Commission Secretariat, Kisumu, Kenya: The 20th Nile Day Celebrations held on 22nd February 2019 in Kigali, Rwanda, featured interventions coordinated regionally by Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC) in the 5 Partner States of the East African Community (EAC).
Sectoral interventions emphasized in the 20th Nile Day Celebrations included, but not limited to water security, sanitation, hygiene, sustainable water management, climate change adaptions, among others.
To fit into such sectoral discussions in Nile Day Celebrations, participants from LVBC presented and exhibited the Commission’s contributions in sustainable management of a key global water resource—Lake Victoria and the Lake Victoria Basin through programmatic interventions in the 5 Partner States of East African Community.
The LVBC programmatic interventions are in line with 5 EAC development strategy which emphasized a people-centered drives towards regional integration.
Noting the complexity of managing trans-boundary resources in most basins, delegates in Kigali Nile Basin Initiative Conference underscored effective cooperation as one of the pathways for sustainable development in the wider water basins. Consensus and cooperation have been emphasized as critical success factors for nascent and thriving regional integration by inter-state and regional based organizations.
The 20th Anniversary, delegated observed reflected commendable commitments by NBI riparian countries some of which equally constitute members of the EAC Partner States—Rwanda, Burundi, the United Republic of Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda—the host of the Nile Basin Initiative Secretariat. River Nile and Lake Victoria are natural water resources, which demand high levels of hydro-diplomacy as a strategy for unlocking existing climate change, and water resources related development challenges in riparian countries.
Eng. Innocent Ntabana, Executive Director of Nile Basin Initiative (NBI) commended the existing strategic partnership between East African Community through Lake Victoria Basin Commission and Nile Basin Initiative. Touring and exploring LVBC Knowledge Products exhibited at the 20 Nile Exhibition Conference, NBI Executive Director also informed Ministers about sectoral synergies and LVBC-NBI cooperation anchored on Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two basin-based inter-governmental regional organizations.
Delegates to the Nile Day Conference an integral activity of 20th Nile Day Celebrations reiterated the importance of inter-state cooperation, collective sharing of resource benefits, dialogue and placing water security at the center of regional transformation and sustainable development of countries in the Nile Basin.
All the above points reflected the guiding theme of 20th Nile Day Celebrations—Stronger Together—a message emphasizing sustainable future through effective management of transboundary resources such as Lake Victoria and River Nile.
Representing the Executive Secretary of Lake Victoria Basin Commission, Isaac Nyarwaya, Principal Resource Officer handed-over Lake Victoria Bain Atlas to Ministers from Nile riparian countries and other participants.
The Lake Victoria Basin: Atlas of Our Changing Environment (2017) is a Knowledge Management Product aimed at guiding policy and decision-making within the Lake Victoria Basin while also showcasing the value of EAC regional integration.
Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Water & Sanitation, Republic of Kenya, Simon Kipromo Chelugui, commended policy formulation and strategic guidance aimed at bettering lives of people in the Nile Basin at the East African Community through Lake Victoria Basin Commission.
Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary highlighted harsh climatic extremes and their associated consequences in all riparian countries of Nile as a critical challenge still barring the actualizations of development aspirations for many countries. He also recommended countries to prioritize projects and programmes of regional significance for sustainable management of shared resources—Rivers Nile, Lake Victoria and Water Towers.
Dr.Vincent Biruta, Minister of Environment, Republic of Rwanda, the guest of honor of the Nile Day Celebrations reiterated the strategic value of partnership as one of the strategies for achieving regional agendas. He called for Nile Riparian Countries to acknowledge the existence of challenges and harness new technologies to improve water use and application of Integrated Water Management Approaches to reverse water scarcity challenges.
The guest of honor also applauded the spirit of cooperation, which characterized Nile riparian countries and recommended that it should be promoted for the sustainability of achieved successes in the 20 years of NBI’s existence.
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For more information, please contact:
Dr. Willy Mugenzi, PhD. (+254) 735 39 34 34 (Kenya) (+250) 788 35 12 89 (Rwanda) This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
About the Lake Victoria Basin Commission:
Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC) is a specialized institution of the East African Community (EAC) located in the City of Kisumu, Republic of Kenya and within the Lake Victoria Basin (LVB). The Commission is mandated to coordinate sustainable development and management of the Lake Victoria Basin in the 5 EAC Partner States.
Lake Victoria Basin Commission Secretariat, Kisumu, Kenya,1 March, 2019: The Republic of Uganda, which has been chairing the Joint Regional Policy Steering Committee Meetings (JRPSC) for Lake Victoria Basin, has handed over the chairmanship to the Republic of Rwanda on February, 28th 2019 in Kisumu, Kenya.
Handing the instruments of chairmanship, Alfred Okot Okidi the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Water and Environment, Republic of Uganda outlined to participating delegates to JRPSC, the key achievements registered during his chairmanship. These included, but not limited to, successful completion of two mega flagship projects—Lake Victoria Water Sanitation Project phase two (LVWATSAN II) and Lake Victoria Environmental Management Project (LVEMP II).
The two regional projects have been coordinated by Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC) and implemented by five East African Community Partner States. Reports from LVBC indicate that the two projects registered tangible outcomes at community levels through improved livelihoods and environmental conservation in East African Community Partner States.
Acknowledging challenges still hampering the Lake Victoria Basin, the outgoing chairperson of the JRPSC observed that consensus and moving forward with a purpose would contribute in advancing East Africa Community integration agenda through programmes and projects.
The incoming chairperson, Fatina Mukarubibi, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment Republic of Rwanda commended the good leadership of the outgoing chairperson and committed to keep the pace set by members of JRPSC and LVBC—the latter is the implementer of the decisions and directives of the former.
Mukarubibi called for adoption of innovation, effective regional coordination and working extra harder by EAC Partner States as a way of unlocking existent development challenges—climate change, water hyacinth, among others. “On climate change, we need to embrace climate adaptation measures in our long term development plans and work together,” Fatina Mukarubibi, the chairperson of RJPSC said.
LVBC Executive Secretary, Dr. Ally-Said Matano also applauded the able leadership of the outgoing chairperson and congratulated the in-coming chairperson for assuming new responsibilities of steering the policy-making forum (JRPSC) for programmes and projects in the Lake Victoria.
Dr. Matano expressed gratitude for the policy and strategic support from Principal and Permanent Secretaries and Ministers of the East Africa Community Partner States to the Lake Victoria Basin Commission. He lauded the ongoing support from development partners, specifically, World Bank, African Development Bank, KfW, EU, and USAID among others.
LVBC Executive Secretary cited Lake Victoria Bill as one of the legal and policy instruments which if enacted into law by the EALA Members of Parliament will reinforce LVBC’s resource mobilization efforts.
The host of JRPSC, Ali Noor, the Principal Secretary for Environment and Forestry, Republic of Kenya welcomed delegates to one of Kenya’s Lake Cities, Kisumu.
He commended LVBC’s use of common approaches in sustainable management of shared resources in the five EAC Partner States. He urged delegates to generate recommendations aimed at realizing the shared vision of Lake Victoria Basin.
The Kenya’s representative called for delegates to observe one minute of silence in remembrance of marine victims from two sister EAC countries—Republic of Uganda and the United Republic of Tanzania.
The 8th JRPSC considered, among other things, the status of implementation of the recommendations and decisions of the previous JRPSC for Lake Victoria Basin held in April 2018 in Entebbe Uganda and other subsequent policy related meetings.
The JRPSC meeting also considered the progress reports for projects and programmes. Other pertinent issues on agenda included, but are not limited to, LVBC Resource Mobilization Initiatives—Pipeline projects and programmes.
Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC) is a specialized institution of the East African Community (EAC) located in the City of Kisumu, Republic of Kenya and within the Lake Victoria Basin (LVB). The Commission is mandated to coordinate sustainable development and management of the Lake Victoria Basin in the 5 EAC Partner States.
East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania, 22nd February, 2019: The Meeting of the Chiefs/Directors of Health Services of the EAC Partner States’ Armed Forces concluded on Thursday 21st February 2019 at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
The meeting was convened in accordance with Article 2 of the EAC Protocol on Cooperation in Defence Affairs and pursuant to the EAC Defence Sector Calendar of Activities for the period January - June 2019.
Heads of Delegation are as follows:-
Maj (Dr) Desire Harumukiza lead the Burundi delegation, while Brig. GK Ng’ang’a was Kenya’s Head of Delegation. Rwanda was led by Col (Dr) Chryso Kagimbana, South Sudan by Maj Gen (Dr) Peter Ajak Bulen , United Republic of Tanzania by Maj Gen (Dr) Janga, and Uganda was by Maj Gen (Dr) Ambrose Musinguzi.
The meeting discussed and shared information on health matters and reviewed the status of implementation of previous decisions of the Sectoral Council on Cooperation in Defence in regard to the health sector.
Notes to Editors
After realizing the serious risk posed by HIV/AIDS and other health threats to the EAC Partner States’ Armed Forces, the Sectoral Council on Cooperation in Defence directed that the Armed Forces initiate co-operation in Health/Medical matters.
In that regard, an operational forum for the Chiefs and Directors of the Health Services of the EAC Partner States’ Armed Forces was established to draw strategies and measures to mitigate health threats to the EAC Partner States’ Armed Forces.
At its 29th Meeting held on 26th October 2018 in Arusha, Tanzania, the Sectoral Council on Cooperation in Defence made several Decision, among them were:-
(i) EAC Secretariat was directed to constitute a Defence Expert Working Group (DEWG) to study the offer, carry out assessment and evaluate the Medical Modelling and Simulation Centre in the Republic of Rwanda and come up with modalities for sharing the facility;
(ii) The Republic of Rwanda was urged to offer the Radiotherapy Centre at Rwanda Military Hospital for joint utilization; and
(iii) Rotational meetings of the Chiefs/Directors of Medical Services of the EAC Partner States are maintained.
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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.
