The EALA Speaker, Rt. Hon. Abdirahin H. Abdi today met a delegation of Parliamentarians from Uganda. The seven Members from the Business Committee of the House were led by Hon. Rose Akol, MP and Chairperson of the Budget Committee. Talks delve on “ownership of the integration process” by the National Assemblies
The Rt. Hon Speaker called on the National Assemblies in the Partner States to work towards instituting mechanisms that shall see the respective Parliaments and Parliamentarians effectively debate on matters pertaining to the EAC regional integration in the House.
“Parliamentarians must find a way of debating EAC issues on the floor of the House to bring Members of the National Assemblies on board with EAC issues. In addition, they should lead the process of trickling down the integration message to their constituents”, the Speaker noted.
The Hon. Speaker urged National Assemblies to set up Parliamentary Committees charged with EAC affairs that shall scrutinize reports and keep their Assemblies abreast of the happenings in the region.
He said the Speakers’ Forum had been set up to among other things enable collaboration with National Assemblies as was the same case with the annual Inter-Parliamentary Relations Seminars, commonly referred to as the Nanyuki Series.
It was noted that the Partner States need to fully implement the Common Market Protocol which came in to operation on July 1, 2010. In the regard, Partner States were urged to speedily harmonise their laws with that of the Community.
”The citizens of the region were promised certain rights and freedoms with the entry of the Common Market Protocol and it is important that people begin to enjoy such benefits”, Members noted.
The Uganda Parliamentarians hailed EALA for the progress it had realized so far in its role of enacting legislation and in providing oversight functions to the Community which they noted, enhanced and enthused integration. The Parliamentarians said Uganda was fully committed to the integration process and that as politicians, they would continue to play their role in sensitizing the publics.
”We shall work together with all stakeholders including the Ministry of the East African Community Affairs (EAC) back home to sensitize the publics, she added, noting, that, it was important for the political divide to fully comprehend the Common Market Protocol as well.”
The delegation urged the Partner States to harness their diversities and unlock the free spirit so that the region can integrate faster, stating that other parts of the continent and the rest of the world were keen on developments happening in East Africa.
On the Monetary Union, it was stated that despite the complexities involved, the region was gearing to go. The Parliamentarians said the EAC could benefit by picking the best practices from the European Union. The Members hailed the decision by the Partner States to fast-track the harmonization of macro-economic and financial statistics ahead of next year’s launch of the EAC Monetary Union.
The delegation also toured the construction of the new EAC Headquarters and met with the EAC Deputy Secretary General (Political Federation), Hon Beatrice Kiraso. The Uganda Parliamentarians also paid a courtesy call at the East African Court of Justice (EACJ). Other organizations visited included the East Africa Law Society and the East African Business Council (EABC).
The Parliamentarians were touring the region to familiarise themselves with the roles of the Assembly and the EAC. In addition to Hon. Akol, the Members of the team in attendance were: Hon. Okello-Okello J.L, MP and Chief Whip of the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC), Hon. Badda Fred, MP, Chairman, Local Government Committee, Hon Mathias Kisamba, MP, Chairman, Defence Committee, Hon Frank Tumwebaze, MP, Chairman, Finance Committee, Hon Okumu Reagan, MP, Chairman of Statutory Enterprises & State Corporation and Parliamentary staff member, Mr. Manzi Victory.
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For More Information contact Bobi Odiko, Senior Public Relations Officer
East African Legislative Assembly. Cell: +255-787-870945 +254-733-718036
Email: BOdiko@eachq.org
