The President of Uganda, Gen. (RTD) Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, officially inaugurated the sessions of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) during a meeting at State House Entebbe, on October 22, 2024.
EALA Speaker Joseph Ntakirutimana is leading this special session of the August House, which is set to continue until November 12, 2024.
In his address to the assembly, President Museveni emphasized the vital role that Uganda and other East African Community (EAC) members play in the production and sale of goods and services, highlighting that active participation in production is key to the region’s prosperity.
“For the EAC and Africa to prosper, we must strive for unity through the establishment of a common African market, political integration, and the preservation of our heritage,” he noted.
He highlighted the core values of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), which include Patriotism, Pan-Africanism, Democracy, and Socio-Economic Transformation, all designed to foster prosperity for the people of East Africa.
The event was attended by the Speaker of Uganda Parliament, Anitah Among, Speaker of EAC Vijana Assembly (East Africa Youth Parliament Speaker) Belinda Amanya, Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja and the first Deputy Prime Minister of Uganda and Minister for East African Community Affairs, Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga among others.
Ntakirutimana shared with journalists at the Uganda Parliament on October 21, 2024 that the assembly will discuss reports related to election management, non-tariff barriers, and wildlife management in the region, among other topics.
EALA will conduct its plenary sessions in Uganda’s Parliament as part of its tradition of holding meetings in various East African Community (EAC) member states to enhance regional connections, encourage collaboration, and support economic integration.
“The last time we visited Uganda was in January 2018, and I hope our time here will allow for further integration. I also invite members of the media to cover these sessions,” Ntakirutimana remarked.
Some of the proposed Bills include the Statistics, Standardization, Accreditation and Conformity Assessment Bill, which was first introduced in 2018, and the Financial Services Bill.
Moreover, the legislative body will also review private members’ Bills such as the EAC Youth Bill by Gerald Siranda and the Anti-Female Genital Mutilation Bill by Jacqueline Amongin, both representing Uganda in EALA.
George Odongo, the leader of the EALA Uganda Chapter delegation, noted that there has been significant public interest in the assembly’s activities, highlighting the need for all stakeholders to work together.
Currently, the Arusha-based EALA has 63 members, with nine elected representatives from each of the eight EAC partner states: Rwanda, Burundi, Kenya, Tanzania, DR Congo, South Sudan, Uganda, and Somalia, along with nine ex officio members.
However, Somalia has yet to elect its representatives to the regional assembly.
