… pledges EALA’s full co-operation while welcoming new EALS PRESIDENT
East African Legislative Assembly, Arusha, Tanzania, January 21st, 2019:The EALA Speaker, Rt Hon Ngoga K Martin, has urged the regional legal fraternity to play a key role in sensitization on the integration process and to act as citizens’ point of checks and balances if the EAC is to make significant gains through a people-centred approach.
This morning, Rt Hon Ngoga met with the new President of the East Africa Law Society (EALS) Advocate (Mr) Willy Rubeya at the Speaker’s Chambers in Arusha. The EALA President was accompanied by the regional Law Society’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Hanningtone Amol.
The EALA Speaker urged the regional law society officials to take a lead role in bringing the legal fraternity and the civil society to speed on matters of regional integration. The Speaker further encouraged EALS to work with Partner States and various stakeholders to ensure speedy realization of approximation of national laws to the Community Acts.
“I see the EALS play a critical role in this aspect given that at minimum, about 600 pieces of Partner States’ acts in the region need to conform to regional legislations”, he added. The Speaker said EALS as an organized professional society was capable of ensuring compliance to the tenets of integration and termed the regional bar Association as a body that can institute checks and balances on the same for the citizens of the region.
Rt Hon Ngoga said the Assembly would cooperate with the EALS and enhance a symbiotic relationship that consults every so often on matters of legislation and pertinent integration areas to improve the lives of East Africans. In attendance was the EALA Senior Public Relations Officer, Bobi Odiko.
The EALS CEO, Hanningtone Amol, reiterated the regional law society had intensified its efforts in strengthening the integration process through advocacy around the EAC. He said the regional law society had been re-designed to make it more responsive to the region.
The EALS, Mr Amol noted, had finalized plans to launch an EAC Integration index, to be released twice a year giving the state of the EAC as well as an avenue and platform to enumerate policy matters. The Chief Executive Officer further remarked that EALS would ieobegntensify public interest litigation and other collaborative areas as part of its mandate to strengthen the institution and make it more robust.
Earlier in the day, the EALS delegation also paid a courtesy call on the President of the East African Court of Justice (EACJ), his Lordship Justice Dr Emmanuel Ugirashebuja and the Registrar of the Court, Hon Yufnalis Okubo.
EALS has in the recent past referenced a number of applications before the East African Court of Justice (EACJ). The past cases include Reference No. 1 of 2011 of The East Africa Law Society versus The Secretary General of the East African Community challenging certain provisions in the Common Market Protocol that according to EALS, purport to oust the jurisdiction of the EACJ.
Another case pits The East Africa Law Society versus The Attorney General of the Republic of Uganda and the Secretary General of the East African Community and concerns what the Society calls human rights violations in Uganda during the ‘Walk to Work’ processions. A third case relates to the rendition of Kenyan citizens to Uganda with a view to defining the legal environment for combating transboundary crimes.
The EALS headquartered in Arusha, is the largest organized professional/ civil society dual membership organization in the region with a strong mandate and interest in the professional development of its members. Its membership spans to over fifteen thousand members. The bar associations include the Burundi Bar Association (BBA), Kigali Bar Association (KBA), Law Society of Kenya (LSK), Tanganyika Law Society (TLS), Uganda Law Society (ULS), South Sudan Bar Association and the Zanzibar Law Society. EALS enjoys an observer status at the EAC.
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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 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 in 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.
CONDOLENCE MESSAGE ON THE TERRORIST ATTACK AT THE DUSIT D2 HOTEL AND OFFICE COMPLEX IN NAIROBI, KENYA
It is with great sadness and disbelief that I received the news of the terrorist attack at the Dusit D2 Hotel and office complex in the leafy Nairobi neighbourhood of Westlands on Tuesday 15th January 2019 in which 14 people have been confirmed dead.
On behalf of the East African Community (EAC) and on my own behalf, allow me to offer most profound condolences over the loss of innocent lives. It is hard to find words of comfort to those who lost their beloved ones.
Please convey to the bereaved families and friends our sincere sympathy and wishes for a speedy recovery of those injured.May I take this opportunity to express my strongest condemnation of these and all other terrorist attacks solely aimed at taking human life, creating chaos and dealing a blow to the civilizational values of the world today as well as to the right of every human being to live and express oneself freely.
The entire EAC and I share with the bereaved families, and the Government and people of Kenya, the feelings of great loss at this time of deep sorrow. May the Almighty God Rest their Souls in Eternal Peace.
East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania, 17th January, 2019:The planning meeting for the 12th EAC Armed Forces Command Post Exercise (CPX) USHIRIKIANO IMARA 2019, which is scheduled to take place in the Republic of Uganda towards the end of 2019 is on-going at the EAC headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
The 15th - 18th January 2019 meeting is taking place 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.
The meeting is expected to develop the methodology of the exercise and the distribution of various themes to Partner States ,come up with administrative and logistics plan as well as shared costs among the Partner States
Furthermore, the meeting is discussing Host Nation responsibilities, transport, accommodation, office expendables, feeding and messing, communication, medical, uniforms, ceremonies, maps and charts.
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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.
….Over USD 100 million mobilized from various Development Partners in2018
East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania, 15th January, 2019: The EAC Secretary General Amb Liberat Mfumukeko has said the region is without doubt, on the right track with significant achievements registered in 2018despite few challenges.
He said “The achievements of the EAC have earned us international recognition as the top performing REC on regional integration overall by internationally renowned institutions like the African Development Bank and the World Bank’’.
Delivering the Secretary General’s New Year Address 2019 to the staff of the EAC Organs and Institutions, Amb. Mfumukeko informed the staff that in 2018, the EAC set a record in resource mobilization. He disclosed to the staff that Over USD 100 million was mobilized from various Development Partners to support various projects and programmes in the Community.
In addition, the EAC and USAID signed a USD 20.5 million agreement for energy projects. This is in addition to the more than USD 200 million mobilized from USAID in the past two and a half years, added Amb Mfumukeko.
Furthermore, the Secretary General disclosed to the staff that the African Development Bank (AfDB) and African Development Fund (ADF) approved USD 2.5 Billion for the implementation of new and ongoing priority infrastructure projects in the EAC region.
The Secretary General outlined other sectorial achievements made in the EAC integration process in 2018 as follows:
In the Infrastructure Sector
The Secretary General said that Partner States continued implementing road and railway projects in the Central and Northern Corridors including the Arusha-Tengeru Dual Carriageway and Bypass Road. He said both roads are part of the Multinational Arusha - Holili/Taveta - Voi Road, which is a successor of the Arusha - Namanga - Athi River Road, both of which have been completed.
The upgrading of the 37 km Ntungamo to Mirama Hills Road to bitumen standard has significantly improved access and speed for freight and passenger services between Uganda and Rwanda, and lower transport costs on the Kampala-Kigali route.
Feasibility Studies and Detailed designs for two multinational road projects have been completed. (i) The first multinational road project will link Tanzania and Burundi through Nyakanazi –Kasulu /Rumonge – Bujumbura. EAC has recently mobilized over USD 340 million from the African Development Bank for construction of this road to be undertaken soon; and (ii) The second road links Tanzania and Rwanda through Lusahunga –Rusumo / Kayonza – Kigali.
In addition, the EAC has provided support to the successful implementation of the Lake Tanganyika Transport Programme which will yield numerous benefits for the riparian states and the communities around the lake.
He added that the EAC through its Institutions such as Lake Victoria Basin Commission(LVBC) and Lake Victoria Fisheries Organization(LVFO) is implementing numerous projects on Lake Victoria to improve port infrastructure, navigation safety, fisheries and to fight pollution of the Lake.
Customs
The Secretary General informed the staff that the region’s main priority was to attain the full roll-out of intra-trade and imports regime under the Single Customs Territory. A pilot roll-out of exports under the SCT was successfully implemented and 736 multi-level users trained in SCT processes. On One Stop Border Posts (OSBPs), Amb Mfumukeko stated that 13 One-Stop-Border Posts were operational in the region. The operationalization and training of personnel at the OSBPs has significantly reduced the time taken by travelers and trucks at the borders from several days to about 15 to 30 minutes on average.
In addition to further enhance trade in the region, the EAC Common External Tariff structure and rates were reviewed and aligned to the global changes of trade and current economic environment in the EAC. Up to 41 Non-Tariff Barriers were eliminated.
Health Sector
Amb Mfumukeko disclosed that in an effort to further improve the lives of the citizenry, the EAC has established Centers of Excellence for Higher Medical Education, Health Services and Research. These Centers of Excellence including;
The East Africa Kidney Institute in Kenya;
The East Africa Heart Institute in Tanzania;
The East Africa Cancer Institute in Uganda;
The East Africa Nutritional Sciences Institute in Burundi;
The East Africa Biomedical Engineering Institute in Rwanda; and
The EAC Regional Center of Excellence for Vaccines, Immunization and Health Supply Chain Management in Rwanda.
These Centers of Excellence contribute to the development of relevant and highly skilled workforce in biomedical sciences to meet the Community’s immediate labour market needs and support implementation of EAC’s ‘free’ labour market protocols.
Industries
The Secretary General informed the staff that the Secretariat commenced the process of launching an East Africa Automotive Industry platform as a way of implementing the EAC action plan for the automotive sector. The Secretariat has similarly developed draft strategies for cotton, textiles, and leather sectors that will serve as policy instruments to reverse dependency on export of raw cotton and hides and skins, and facilitate development of local supply base of clothing and footwear, and the creation of jobs and reduction of poverty in the region.
Energy
Amb Mfumukeko said that the implementation of projects under the East African Power Master Plan has shown a positive improvement on power supply. “All the Partner States’ electricity generation capacities exceeding their peak demands will raise to significant levels when committed generation projects in the Partner States are commissioned from about 555MW in 2017 to 1,083MW in 2018 and to about 7,480MW by 2022. In this sector, there has been an unprecedented level of resources mobilized”, noted the EAC Official.
Tourism
Amb Mfumukeko informed the Staff that the EAC Secretariat undertook joint tourism promotion at the major international tourism trade fairs in Berlin and London to increase the visibility of EAC as a single tourism destination, and to promote intra-regional tourism and enhance co-operation among tourism players within the region.
Furthermore, the review of Classification Criteria for Tourism Accommodation Establishments and Restaurants commenced in August 2018. The review aimed at taking into account the international tourism trends and best practices in order to ensure that the region enhances its competitiveness and position itself adequately in the global tourism market.
Agriculture
The Secretary General disclosed that the sector accounts for 25% - 40% of the EAC Partner States’ GDP and is a leading employer for over 80% of the population in the region. The EAC remains strongly committed to support implementation of the Malabo Declaration on Agriculture Growth and Transformation in Africa. In 2018, the Sectoral Council on Agriculture and Food Security adopted the EAC Regional Agriculture Investment Plan (RAIP), which is a key instrument in rallying financial and technical support to spur agricultural transformation in the region.
Furthermore, in 2018, EAC made headways in supporting entrepreneurship in the Agricultural sector. With support of FAO, a program was implemented to build capacity and provide financial support to young entrepreneurs in the agriculture sector. Also, in collaboration with the German Federation of Industries, GIZ and the East African Business Council, a program was initiated to mentor and help growth of small and medium enterprises especially in the field of Agro-processing.
Meanwhile, Amb Mfumukeko informed the staff that Auditors General from the EAC Partner States, reviewed and signed the Audited Financial Statements of the Organs and Institutions for the Financial Year 2017/2018.
The Audit Commission issued 18 signed certificates with UNQUALIFIED - CLEAN OPINION for 3 Organs, 8 Institutions and 7 Projects (a total of 18 EAC structures).
He thanked all staff, the Heads of Organs and Institutions, and Directors for the commitment, dedication and professionalism in achieving an Unqualified Audit for the entire Community.
The 2019 New Year’s Address to staff was also attended by the EAC Deputy Secretaries General in charge Planning and Infrastructure, Eng. Steven Mlote; Productive and Social Sector, Hon Christophe Bazivamo; and Political Federation, Mr. Charles Njoroge.
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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.
East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania, 21st December, 2018: The 20th Ordinary Meeting of the Summit of the East African Community Heads of State that was scheduled to take place on Thursday 27th December, 2018, at the Arusha International Conference Centre (AICC) in Arusha, Tanzania, has been postponed.
The Chair of the EAC Heads of State Summit is consulting with his fellow Heads of State on the exact date and the Secretariat will communicate in due course.
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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.
East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, 13th December, 2018: A first consultative meeting with financial institutions in the Republic of Uganda on the implementation of the 50 Million African Women Speak Networking Platform (50MWS) Project was held on 11th December, 2018 in Kampala, Uganda.
The objective of the meeting was to introduce the project to the financial institutions and to solicit their support as key stakeholders in the implementation of the project.
EAC Director of Social Sectors, Mary Makoffu, reiterated the critical role of financial institutions in the implementation and success of the project.
East African Health Research Commission (EAHRC) Headquarters, Kigobe, Bujumbura, Burundi, December, 2018: H.E. Gaston Sindimwo, the 1st Vice President of the Republic Burundi graced the official launch of the Headquarters of the East African Health Research Commission (EAHRC) located in Kigobe, Bujumbura City, Burundi that took place on 4th December 2018.
Also present were Hon. Isabelle Ndahayo, Minister to the Presidency in charge of EAC Affairs; Hon. Thadee Ndikumana, Minister of Health; Hon. Gaspard Banyankimbona, Minister of High Education; Hon. Freddy Mbonimpa, Mayor of Bujumbura; Hon. Jean Baptiste Nzorironkankuze, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health; and the Secretary General of the East African Community, Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko.
The launch also brought together other Government Officials from Burundi; Diplomatic Corps accredited to Bujumbura; EAC Secretariat and EAC Institutions Executives; Members of EAHRC Commissioners; Stakeholders and Staff.
The 1st Vice President commended the EAC Heads of State Summit for establishing the Institution and the EAC Council of Ministers for allocating Bujumbura City to be the Permanent Headquarters of the Commission. He pledged the Government of Burundi’s full support to the Institution including availing land for the construction of its Headquarter premises, as per the Headquarters Agreement.
Addressing the guests at the launch, the Secretary General of the East African Community, Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko said the operationalisation of the EAHRC commenced in July 2015 but due to various factors, the Commission was able to relocate to Bujumbura in January 2018.
He noted that the relocation was achieved through close collaboration between the East African Community Secretariat and the Government of the Republic of Burundi. The Secretary General commended the Government of Burundi for having facilitated the Commission to procure the headquarters and to relocate to Bujumbura. He urged the Republic of Burundi to fast track the process of granting land where to build the permanent headquarters of the EAHRC.
He also commended the Commission for achieving several milestones since its operationalisation and urged the staff to keep the speed and the commitment high.
Amb. Mfumukeko commended the EAHRC for developing a costed Digital Regional East African Community Health (Digital REACH) Strategic Plan 2019-2028, which will, among others, implement two (2) of the three (3) sub priorities under the priority of Strengthening of Health Research and Development as approved by the 19th Summit of the EAC Heads of States.
He said the Costed Digital Health Strategic Plan had been approved by the 17th Meeting of the EAC Sectoral Council on Health that directed the East African Health Research Commission Secretariat to mobilize resources to implement the strategy. In this context, the Secretary General called upon development partners to support the Community to implement the digital health strategic plan.
On his part, the EAHRC Executive Secretary, Prof Gibson Kibiki disclosed that the vision of the Commission is a healthy and prosperous community built on evidence-driven policy and practice, which emanate from high quality research.
The mission is to improve health and well-being of the citizens of the Community by generating, accessing, capturing, assessing, synthesizing, sharing, disseminating, and utilising health research and findings, as well as technological development that are suitable and relevant to the Community and its people.
He asserted that the broad objective of the Commission is to promote, facilitate, and coordinate the conduct and application of health research for the improvement of health and for the wellbeing of the people of East Africa.
In regard to Research environment in the EAC Partner States, Prof Kibiki disclosed that the Commission had carried out baseline assessments and needs on ethics review frameworks that revealed many gaps and challenges. In order to address those gaps and challenges, the Commission was developing a work plan with the aim of creating a good research environment for the development of Research and Development.
The Executive Secretary highlighted some of the significant achievements made by the Commission since its operationalisation in July 2015, which include, among others :-
The development of the EAHRC Strategic Plan 2016-2021 approved by EAC Council of Ministers and its operationalisation;
The development of the Digital Regional East African Community Health (Digital REACH) initiative which is a coordination mechanism that brings together stakeholders from the EAC region, development partners and other key players outside the region to improve health outcomes across the EAC. The initiative is a novel, and ground-breaking strategy to transform the health service delivery and health outcomes in the region through scaled uptake and utilisation of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT); Digital Health Technology is one of the Health Sector priorities approved by EAC Heads of States for the next 10 years;
Establishment of the Young East African Health Research Scientists’ (YEARS’) Forum which is an initiative aiming to empower East African Community (EAC) young researchers to be able to shape the future of research for health in the region, the initiative was approved by 15th meeting of EAC Council of Ministers;
Organization of the East African Health and Scientific Conference (EAHSC) which is an EAC biennial event convened in East Africa by the EAHRC in collaboration with a host EAC Partner State;
Establishment of One-Stop Center for Health Information in East Africa operational through the web portal (www.eahealth.org) which is the official comprehensive compendium of health information in East Africa;
Publishing EAHRC Scientific Journals that are contributing to share with the global scientific community the scientific work part of the EAC region; and
Participating in and facilitating a number of other regional programs and projects.
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For more information please 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 Tel: +(257) 22 27 99 80/1/2 Bujumbura, BURUNDI Web: http://www.eac.int
About EAHRC
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 Secretariat, Arusha, Tanzania, 13th December,2018: The Kingdom of Belgium has appointed, Ambassador Peter Van Acker to United Republic of Tanzania, to also serve as Belgium’s Permanent Representative to the East African Community as an observer.
Amb Van Acker presented his letter of credence to EAC Secretary General, Amb Liberat Mfumukeko, during a brief ceremony held at the EAC headquarters in Arusha.
Amb. Van Acker said that his appointment was out of his government’s commitment to deepen its cooperation with the EAC, noting that the significance of regional integration is not only for East Africans, but also an important source of growth for the continent as well.
The Belgium envoy expressed delight at the accreditation commenting that Belgium has very good relations with the EAC member states.
In his remarks, the EAC Secretary General, Amb Liberat Mfumukeko warmly welcomed the Belgium Envoy to the EAC and briefed him on the current achievements in the pillars of the regional integration and development process.
He noted that Belgium has an intimate knowledge of the region and added that the EAC is looking forward to scaling up cooperation with the country.
Meanwhile, the EAC Secretary-General Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko received the Mission Director for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Mr. Mark Meassick who paid a courtesy visit to him at the EAC Headquarters.
The Kenya and East Africa USAID Director was accompanied by Program Advisor ,Regional Intergovernmental Organization, Miss Mimi Steward.
In receiving the Mission Director, Amb Mfumukeko thanked USAID for its continued support and strong partnership. Reiterating on the importance of regional integration as a means to access regional markets and gain competition advantages in efficiency and productivity outputs.
“These elements can only be realised by having no restrictions on the movement of goods, services, labour and capital within the East Africa“noted Amb. Mfumukeko
Speaking during the discussion Director Meassick acknowledged the efforts that the Community has made to access trade, adding that “this has not only promoted prosperity in those regions, but has also delivered better livelihoods to their communities, thus putting EAC in the forefront as a model for Integration“.
The United States of America through USAID has been a key Development Partner of the EAC integration process to different Project and Programmes including; Assistance Agreement for Comprehensive Regional Development (AA-CRD) to the tune of $23,230,800 from Octo. 2011 to Sept. 2019 and Regional Development Objectives Grant Agreement (RDOAG) to the tune of $30,000,000 from Sept. 2016 to Sept. 2021.
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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.
East African Legislative Assembly, Arusha, December 13, 2018: The 3rd Meeting of the 2nd Session of the Assembly has commenced in Arusha. The session which commenced on December 11th, 2018 runs through to December 22nd, 2018.
Key reports to be brought to the House during the period include that of the Committee on Regional Affairs and Conflict Resolution on the status of the EAC Partner States refugees in Uganda. The Committee recently completed a tour of the camps in Kiryandongo Refugee Camp (Masindi District in Central Uganda) and at the Nakivaale Refugee Settlement Scheme in (Isingiro District in Western Uganda). The report of the EAC Audited Financial Statements for the FY ended 30th June 2017 is also returning to the House for debate and possible adoption. The report was not adopted by the House at its last sitting in Arusha with the House requesting the Committee on Accounts chaired by Hon Dr Ngwaru Maghembe, to revise the recommendations contained therein to make them more-timely bound and actionable. Another report coming forth is that of the oversight activity of the Committee on Communication, Trade and Investment (CTI) on the status of the EAC Customs Single Territory. The Committee recently concluded oversight work on the status of the single customs territory in the Partner States. The Assembly is now expected to receive and debate on the report.
The Sitting is also to be interspersed in Week 1 by rigorous Committee work. The six Committees are;
the Committee on Accounts, the Committee on Agriculture, Tourism and Natural Resources, the Committee on General Purpose, the Committee on Regional Affairs and Conflict Resolution, the Committee on Communication, Trade and Investment, the Committee on Legal Rules and Privileges.
The whole House shall also receive a presentation by the East African Civil Society Organizations’ Forum who in conjunction with the EAC Department of Political Federation met to discuss pertinent issues on the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance.
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 in 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 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 in 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.
East African Community Secretariat, Arusha, Tanzania, 11th December, 2018: Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in the East African Community have been advised to patent their products and innovations to prevent theft of the same by unscrupulous persons.
Uasin Gishu Senator, Professor Margaret Kamar, further said that it was only through patenting that East African products would not be misused and abused.
Prof. Kamar gave the example of the kiondo basket, which was a Kenyan innovation that had been patented in Japan, adding that any Kenyan who wanted to produce the same had to ask for permission from the patent owners.
Prof. Kamar said Kenya was one of the first countries in Africa to pass intellectual property laws and urged Kenyan innovators to take advantage of this law to protect their products and ideas against theft.
She said value addition to minerals and raw agricultural produce was a must if African countries were to reap maximum benefits from its exports their trading partners in Europe, North America and Asia.
Prof. Kamar called for the elimination of middlemen so that African products could directly access markets in Europe and the USA, adding that EAC governments should also promote African apparel and textiles by making it mandatory for employees to wear the same for at least three days of the week.
“Our future in EAC is to promote our own goods. The balance of trade with the outside world is still very huge and we need to bridge that gap,” said Prof. Kamar.
Senator Kamar was speaking at the Eldoret Sports Club grounds in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County, Kenya, when she presided over the official closing ceremony of the 19th EAC Annual Jua Kali/Nguvu Kazi Exhibition. The exhibition opened its doors on 2nd December, 2018 and drew more than 1,500 exhibitors from five EAC Partner States, namely Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda and Tanzania.
In her remarks, the Deputy Director of Trade in the Ministry of Trade, Industrialization and Cooperatives, Kenya, Ms Gladys Kinyua, called on EAC Partner States to establish One Stop Shops for MSMEs in the capital cities to enable them to move their products freely within the region.
Ms Kinyua, who represented the Principal Secretary in the Ministry, Dr. Chris Kiptoo, further urged the EAC Secretariat to create a website where MSMEs in the region could market their products to the world freely.
Speaking at the event, the Uasin Gishu County Executive Committee for Trade, Dr. Emily Kogos, urged EAC governments to support MSMEs saying that they were the foundation for industrialisation in East Africa.
The Director of Trade at the EAC Secretariat, Al Hajj Rashid Kibowa, described the 19th Exhibition as the best and biggest ever, adding that innovators had sold their products, struck deals and built networks with some procuring orders for delivery.
“We take MSMEs seriously because they will be the starting point for investment and industrialisation in the region,” said Al Hajj Kibowa.
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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.
