EALA has today commended the Chair of the Summit of EAC Heads of State, President Yoweri Museveni for the insightful delivery of the State of EAC Address in Kigali, Rwanda, last month. The motion moved by the Chair of Council of Ministers, Hon Shem Bageine, noted that the Speech delivered on April 24, 2013 was concise and elaborated on key policy issues for the region.
The Chair of the Council of Ministers remarked that the speech had called for the full and systematic implementation of the pillars of integration. He remarked that the speech was timely, offered guidance and was of valuable use to the august House.
During debate, Hon Shyrose Bhanji termed the details in the speech enlightening, informative and educative. ‘President Museveni delivered insights on key issues and this was a wake-up call to all citizens’, she remarked. ‘We need to ensure that we influence policies to enable the region arrive at the world first order’ she remarked. If the modest goals and objectives of integration are achieved, we shall make good headway, she noted. ‘The United Republic of Tanzania for example has seen a number of industries collapse and there is urgent need to revive them and to use local expertise to enable the citizens of the region to benefit, she noted.
Hon Saoli Ole Nkanae paid glowing tribute to the Chair of the Summit and said it was important for the region to take into consideration the advice of the Chair of the Summit.
Hon Dan Kidega termed the speech eloquent and with the much needed depth. He maintained that integration went beyond commerce and trade. He said firm political will and leadership was vital. To achieve it, leaders must stand firm and speak firm since any form of rhetoric is in essence retrogressive, he added.
Hon Dora Byamukama remarked that the Head of State constantly offered guidance and that he spoke with much conviction. She added that President Museveni had in his speech advocated for strengthening of integration by addressing existing bottlenecks. She re-affirmed that Africa needed to rise up to the new order in order to develop. ‘We need an EAC ideological orientation as a matter of urgency’, the legislator noted.
In the Address last month, President Museveni reiterated the need for the region to resolve existing strategic bottlenecks if the EAC is to spur integration and to enable citizens enjoy the accrued benefits. The President maintained that it was time for the region to eye political unity as a stabilising factor to development and called on the East African Legislative Assembly to use its legislative agenda and mandate to support the same.
The President in essence, told the EAC to strive to solve what he called ‘the basic yet fundamental challenges’ dogging the bloc as it moves towards the tactical areas.
“There are a number of strategic bottlenecks which are hampering development in the region. However, two main issues are with regards to the existence of small markets and inadequate infrastructure, especially the energy issue’ President Museveni remarked.
The Head of State affirmed that during his tenure as the Chairperson of the Summit, he would prioritise on infrastructure development to enable the region take its flight to the next level. ‘I have recently visited Russia and held discussions with the President. I expect some investors to begin talking business with the EAC soon’, President Museveni said.
He also undertook to push for the amendments to the Treaty for the Establishment of the EAC in response to a request by the Speaker of EALA, Rt. Hon Dr. Margaret Nantongo Zziwa.
The Chair of the Summit noted that the EAC integration was the most progressive and with the brightest future since it aims for a key ultimate stage which is the political integration.
‘Though economic integration is good, there are certain crucial issues that it may fail to address – and which a Political Federation will cushion the region against’, President Museveni added. He stated that a formula was needed to work how to share benefits arising from the Common Market Protocol.
The President was categorical that such a move would ensure that Africa taps into further economic growth and enables a stronger voice in the international arena. In the regard, the Head of State cited the need to harness energy and electricity for development. He reminded the legislators that Africa’s Kilowatt per capita was extremely low.
The President’s speech delved into other strategic bottlenecks which he termed destructive to regional integration. He cited tribal, religious and gender ideological disorientations, lack of viable pillars in the judicial and defence sectors leading to collapse of state authority, attacks on the Private Sector initiatives and under-development of human resources and skills. Other challenges include an under-developed service sector, lack of industrialisation and lack of democracy.
The Chair of the Summit however noted that the region and Africa was on the path to recovery and had started correcting the wrongs.
The President tasked the EAC to address existing weaknesses as it explores the continental move. The President cited a number of challenges including the Non Tariff Barriers as contributing to the weakening of the integration process.
In his contribution today, Hon Peter Mathuki noted that the EAC was one of the most progressive blocs in the continent. ‘We must create a conducive environment for doing business. The roaming charges in the communication sector for example are uncalled for if really we are in one region. We should address this matter urgently and ensure ‘we walk the talk’ Hon Mathuki said.
On democracy, the legislator remarked that it was vital for the region to adhere to the basic tenets that promote democratic values. ‘The recent closure of the Monitor Publications here is a worrying trend – we wish to appeal to the authorities to re-consider the decision, he noted. Hon AbuBakr Ogle and Hon Mukasa Mbidde also supported the need to re-open the Media Group stating that its closure continued to present an affront to democracy.
On her part, Hon Isabelle Ndahayo maintained that the envisaged EALA Bill on Civic Education was an absolute necessity in the quest for unity while Hon Dr Kessy Nderakindo rallied for uptake of common identities such as language.
Hon Abubakar Zein Abubakar advocated for the strengthening of social structures of African people. ‘We need to keep to the traditions of enhancing unity in diversity when designing the architecture of our oneness’, the MP noted. He further called on EALA to push for the region to make Kiswahili the official language of the region in future.
Hon Pierre Celestin Rwigema lauded the President as a Pan-Africanist who had sacrificed a lot for the Republic of Uganda. The country is today peaceful and stable leading to progress. Others who contributed to the debate were Hon Mike Sebalu, Hon Mumbi Ngaru, Hon Christophe Bazivamo, Hon Susan Nakawuki.
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For more Information, contact: 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 Web: https://www.eala.org Arusha, Tanzania
