PARLIAMENTARIANS FROM UGANDA CALL ON THE EALA SPEAKER

The EALA Speaker, Rt. Hon. Dr Margaret Nantongo Zziwa yesterday met a delegation of Parliamentarians from Uganda on the sidelines of the EALA Sitting in Kigali, Rwanda.

The legislators who are Members of the Committee of the East African Community Affairs in the Parliament of Uganda, were in Kigali on a one week tour to familiarise themselves with the activities of EALA and on the oversight activities of the Committees of EALA.

In her remarks, the 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 regional integration matters in the House.

“I challenge Parliamentarians to go “regional in mind and thought”. In fact, they need not only debate more on the EAC, but likewise, they should lead the process of trickling the regional integration message to their constituents”, the Speaker noted.

At the same time, 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.

‘At the moment, only the Parliament of Uganda has a specific and stand-alone Committee on EAC matters while in other Assemblies, EAC matters are handled within other Committees.   I know other Partner States are cognisant of the need and I encourage them to move to create stand- alone Committees’ the Speaker reiterated.

On her part, the Chairperson of the EAC Committee, Hon Sarah Mwebaza hailed EALA for the progress it had realized and the process so far engaged in to enthuse integration. Hon Mwebaza urged the Partner States to harness their diversities and unlock the free spirit so that the region can integrate faster, noting that other parts of the Continent and the rest of the world were keen on developments happening in East Africa.

In attendance were Hon Auru Anne, Hon Ssali Baker, Hon Sseninde Nansubuga Rosemary, Hon Oulanya Gilbert and Principal Clerk Assistant, Martha Kaganzi.

The Committee also held discussions with the Secretary General of the EAC, Amb. Dr Richard Sezibera.   The deliberations delved on strengthening regional integration.  The Secretary General told the Parliamentarians the EAC remained committed to key priorities citing removal of NTBs, challenges of border communities and introduction of One-Stop Border Posts as areas that needed interventions.

EALA Member, Hon Mike Sebalu hailed the visit of the Members and noted that such tours would enhance linkages between EALA and the National Assemblies.  

He maintained that communications between National Assemblies and EALA was vital and provided for under the Treaty for the Establishment for the EAC. Article 65 of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community succinctly recognises the need to foster co-operation between the Assembly (EALA) and the National Assemblies of the Partner States.

 Rt. Hon Speaker, Dr. Margaret Nantongo Zziwa presents a copy of the EALA Newsletter to the Members of Parliament from Uganda