East African Legislative Assembly, Kampala, Uganda: August 1, 2016: EALA Speaker, Rt Hon Daniel F. Kidega is urging EAC youth to apprise themselves of the integration story, rally behind the process – and to take full advantage of the benefits it accrues.
This morning, the Speaker flagged off the 1st EAC Bicycle expedition dubbed the “Tour d’EAC” where he further urged youth to take up ownership and to participate as drivers of the integration process – saying it must be people-centred.
Joining the Speaker at the ceremony was the Minister for State without Portfoliio and the Chairman of the East African Bicycle Tour 2016 Organising Committee, AlHajj Abdul Naduli. Beginning August 1, 2016, and over 30 days, the team of fifteen shall cycle from Kampala, Uganda to the rest of the Partner States and back and in so doing, cover close to 3000 kilometres.
“I am delighted to note the cyclists shall meet East Africans of all walks of life as they traverse through Jinja, Busia, Kisumu, Mai Mahiu and Nairobi, before descending to Kajiado, Namanga and Arusha. While in Tanzania, they will turn west of the hinterland towards Singida, Kahama, Ngozi and make their way into Bujumbura. The next leg will see the cyclists pedal north towards Butare and traverse through Kigali, Mbarara and into Masaka, before they make the grand entry into Kampala” Speaker Kidega said.
The initiative by Campfire Logs Guild to ride around the region, is expected not only to benefit the individuals doing it, but the region at large as well.
In his remarks, Hon Al Hajj Abdul Naduli, the Minister for State without Portfolio and Chairman of the East African Bicycle Tour (EABT), lauded the youth for the decision to tour the region to create awareness.
“I hail the astute 15 young men and women who have decided to ride bikes across the Partner States not for any intentions than enhancing and empowering the unity of the people of East Africa, he said.
“Indeed, it is patriotism of a kind that shall accelerate more steady social security and economic development of East Africa,” the Minister added.
According to the Director of the Campfire Logs Guild, John Phyton Balongo, the cyclists will bond with locals and create awareness for the integration of East African Partner States, engage in activities that will help emphasize and support the theme; Enhancing the EAC. Mr Balongo says the cyclists will also discuss and interact with different communities about the benefits of regional integration as they ride through EAC.
The cyclists hope to make the tour an annual event.
“We chose peddling because we know it does not only provide an opportunity for people to rude together and experience the route or sight, but it is a powerful way to build a sense of Community and strengthen sociable networks within the EAC”, Balongo said.
The cyclists are expected to cross the Uganda-Kenya border at Busia in the next two days and venture into Nairobi on August 6th before arriving in Arusha on August 10th, 2016.
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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
