Published on 21/10/2024
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni is scheduled to address members of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) tomorrow at State House, Uganda, to officially open their plenary session.
This was announced by Rt. Hon. Joseph Ntakirutimana, who informed journalists at Parliament that the session, which will last 21 days, will include discussions on the President’s address.

“We will spend three weeks in Uganda, which is ample time to further integrate with our East African counterparts. The President will address us tomorrow, and we will consider his speech as part of our business,” Ntakirutimana stated.
During the session, EALA will debate three key bills: the Finance Investments Bill, the Statistics Bill, and the Standardization, Accreditation, and Conformity Assessment Bill. Ntakirutimana highlighted that the Statistics Bill, initially introduced in Uganda in 2018, was not assented to, and hence, it is being reintroduced.

EALA’s Rotational Sitting
Ntakirutimana also pointed out that this is EALA’s first rotational sitting in Uganda since January 2018, during the 4th EALA Parliament, when the East African Community (EAC) had six partner states. The EAC now has eight members following the recent inclusion of Somalia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), although Somalia is yet to appoint its representatives to the Assembly.
He further explained, “In 2018, there were six partner states, but today, we have eight. Somalia is currently electing its representatives, who may join us during this plenary session in Uganda. EALA comprises 63 members, nine from each partner state, along with ex officio members, including seven Ministers in charge of EAC affairs, bringing the total to 72 members.”
Key Bills to be Debated
Several Private Members’ Bills will be presented during the Kampala session. Uganda’s Blacks Siranda is set to introduce the East African Youth Bill, while Jacqueline Amongin will table two Bills on climate change and the Anti-Female Genital Mutilation Bill. Other bills include the East African Community Investment Bank Bill and the Pharmaceutical Bill.
Ntakirutimana added that eight reports from various committees, including those on election management in the EAC and projects implemented by the Lake Victoria Basin Commission, will be debated. He also encouraged the Ugandan public to engage with EALA by submitting petitions on key issues.
“We will invite stakeholders and organized members of the public to address critical issues that they believe should be handled by the Assembly,” he noted.
Efforts to Resolve EAC Trade Barriers
Addressing concerns over trade disputes within the EAC, Suleiman Shahbal Said, Chairperson of the Communication, Trade, and Investment Committee at EALA, emphasized the progress made in removing non-tariff barriers. “There are many challenges, but we are focusing on the positives. We have already eliminated 590 non-tariff barriers, and we continue working to standardize regulations across the region,” he said.
Shahbal acknowledged that different countries have varying standards, which often create non-tariff barriers. However, EALA has been actively identifying and addressing these barriers through oversight visits to ports and borders.
Oversight Role of EALA
Ugandan MP George Odong emphasized EALA’s oversight role in ensuring accountability within the EAC. He highlighted the Assembly’s role in monitoring the implementation of the East African Treaty, rules, and regulations, as well as the budget. Odong noted that the Assembly regularly debates audit reports and presents resolutions based on its findings.
“There are problems that are resolved immediately at the borders, rather than allowing them to escalate. We are confident that the EAC is moving in the right direction,” Odong stated, while also referencing an ongoing investigation by the Committee of Legal, Rules, and Privileges into allegations of misuse of resources.
