East African Legislative Assembly, Arusha, January 22, 2018: The East African Legislative Assembly Sitting got underway in Kampala on Monday with an induction process for its new Members. Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda, Rt Hon Rebecca A. Kadaga opened the week-long induction exercise. In her remarks, Rt Hon Kadaga reiterated the importance of sensitizing citizens of the region and in the same vein hailed the principle of rotation which the regional Assembly embraces.
Rt Hon Kadaga further emphasized the need for full autonomy of the regional assembly.
“One of the causes of the collapse of the previous EAC (1967-77), was the low level of involvement of stakeholders in their activities. As legislators, through our collective action, we must direct our efforts towards a unified and empowered East African Community”, Rt Hon Kadaga remarked. “Autonomy for EALA is vital and Parliament of Uganda is so keen to see it fully operationalized”, she added.
Rt Hon Kadaga further called on the EALA Members to look beyond their national shoulders and to fully focus on its regional agenda.
“I therefore urge the Assembly to remain totally committed to the integration process. We need to look beyond nationalism to a regional mindset. Consensus and meeting of minds is key as you legislate, provide oversight and appropriate budget for the region”, the Speaker noted.
The Speaker of EALA, Rt Hon Ngoga Martin remarked the induction program presented an opportunity for the Members to build capacities on regional integration matters as they commence on the journey of the 4th Assembly. The EALA Speaker hailed Rt Hon Rebecca Kadaga and his predecessors, the Speakers Emeritus (former), Rt Hon Abdirahin Abdi and Rt Hon Damiel F. Kidega who were in attendance for their steadfast support to EALA.
“It is important to add here that the Assembly has come of age and rightfully so – effectively taking its place in the integration process. Again, I owe it to my predecessors whom have left behind a solid foundation. He said the Assembly which is the forth since its establishment in 2001 was keen to take the mantle to the next level. “This is what it means with continuity and facilitating growth. The critical mass we need to solidify our integration process is manifestly growing”, Rt Hon Ngoga said.
The induction process was addressed by the Director at the Centre for Regional Integration, Dr Wanyama Masinde who delivered a paper on Understanding regional integration while the Counsel to the Community made on the Salient features of the Treaty annexes.
The Speakers Emeritus of EALA, Rt Hon Abdirahin Abdi and the Rt Hon Daniel Fred Kidega as well as the former Principal Legislative Draftsman of the Community, Lawrence Kamugisha, are also expected to share their thoughts with EALA as the week progresses. The induction process undertaken whenever a new Assembly is installed, is geared at bringing the Members to speed on matters of integration as well as on Parliamentary procedures.
Meanwhile the Speaker of EALA, Rt Hon Ngoga Martin paid a courtesy call on the Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda, Rt Hon Rebecca Kadaga at the Speaker’s Chamber. The two Speaker held cordial talks of mutual interests to both institutions.
The President of the Republic of Uganda and the Chair of the Summit of EAC Heads of State, H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, is expected to deliver the State of EAC Address on Tuesday morning at the Parliament of Uganda Chambers.
-ENDS-
For more information, contact
Mr. Bobi Odiko,
Senior Public Relations Officer,
East African Legislative Assembly.
Tel: +255-27-2508240 Fax: +255-27-2503103, Cell: +255-787-870945 +254-733-718036
Email: BOdiko@eachq.org,
Web: https://www.eala.org
