EALA urges Council of Ministers to expedite EAC Probe report to Summit of Heads of State

…further wants it presented to the House for deliberations 

East African Legislative Assembly, Arusha, Tanzania: 23 May, 2017: The House has called for urgent expedition to the Summit of EAC Heads of State, of a probe report by the eminent Permanent Secretaries of the Partner States responsible for EAC Affairs, about mismanagement and impropriety at the Executive level of the Community.

Similarly, the Assembly urged the Council to present the report to it for debate and scrutiny at the earliest opportunity. 

As the Assembly resumed today, Hon AbuBakr Ogle invoked Rule 30 (L) of the Rules of Procedure on the Motion of Public interest to adjourn debate on the Orders of the Day to bring to fore the matter it deems urgent and necessary for urgent address.  

The motion by Hon Ogle avers that the Council of Ministers received a formal complaint from a staff Member of the Community about cases of mismanagement at the Executive level.  The Council of Ministers therein instituted a Task Force comprising of Permanent Secretaries to investigate the alleged complaints.  The Taskforce, according to the State Minister for EAC, Uganda, Hon Julius Maganda has been completed but is yet to be presented formally, to the Council of Ministers.

The mover of the Motion says if left not addressed, the Community stands endangered. “The Community is standing on tenterhooks”, Hon Ogle who claimed to have a copy of the said report, added.

The Speaker of the Assembly, Rt Hon Daniel F. Kidega guided the House saying EALA could not debate on speculative, weighty matters but nevertheless added the issue was of public urgency and importance.  He therefore urged Members to restrict their contributions to key matters pertaining to issues of public interest without delving into the specifics of the report that is yet to be discussed (By the Council of Ministers).

Contributing to the debate, Hon Bernard Mulengani called on the Council of Ministers to expedite the discussions and to make their positions known on the issues contained in the report of Permanent Secretaries saying time was of the essence.  Hon Patricia Hajabakiga said the Assembly had a right to discuss the matter given that the Community was funded by tax-payers.

Hon Sarah Bonaya lamented that delay in salaries, and payment of outstanding dues for services rendered was worrying.  Hon Jean Marie Muhirwa called for thorough analysis by Council of Ministers in order to present a well-documented report.

Hon Nancy Abisai told the House it was necessary for the matter to be looked into in good faith. “Let it be addressed – if it has happened in the 3^rd EALA, it should not spill to the 4^th Assembly”, she remarked.

On her part, Hon Mumbi Ngaru lauded the mover of the Bill for taking courage in bringing the motion to the floor of the House

Hon Martn Ngoga wondered if the Council had in effect not received the report, or rather had received it but was yet to deliberate on it. Hon Dora Byamykama weighed in on the matter saying that more information was vital to enrich the debate.

Responding to the matter at hand Hon Julius Maganda said the Council would be seized of the matter once it receives the Report and take appropriate action deemed necessary. He remarked the Council of Ministers was keen to ensure good governance prevails and thanked the Assembly for its constant oversight on the EAC.

-Ends-

For more Information, contact:

Mr. Bobi Odiko,

Senior Public Relations Officer,

East African Legislative Assembly,

Tel: +255-27-2508240, Cell: +255 787 870945+254-733-718036;

Email: bodiko@eachq.org,

Arusha, Tanzania,

www.eala.org