Buveera to form highlight of EALA Kampala meeting
Mr Abdi (R), flanked by Mr Cherutich, addresses the press at Parliament on the EALA assembly yesterday. PHOTO BY GEOFFREY SSERUYANGE
The East African Parliament convenes in Kampala today with Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki, who arrived in the country yesterday morning, expected to deliver a keynote address on the State of the community tomorrow.
The Kenyan leader is also expected to receive an honorary Doctorate of Laws degree from Makerere University in recognition of his contribution to public service at national, regional and international levels. Mr Kibaki is the current chairperson of the EAC. According to Mr Abdirahin Abdi, Speaker of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), the speech of the EAC chairperson will focus on matters of importance to the community.
“It reflects on matters of general policies relating to developments the community is realizing while outlining the strategic challenges that require greater attention,” Mr Abdi said. The regional parliamentary sitting will officially be opened with an address by President Museveni this afternoon, in his capacity as host. Mr Kibaki will deliver his address a day later.
The South Sudan question
Responding to questions on the status of South Sudan’s admission to the regional body, the chairperson of Council of Ministers and Kenya’s Minister of the East African Community, Mr Musa Cherutich, said a position will be reached in two months.
“The ministers are going to visit South Sudan very soon,” he said. “If they meet the requirements we will give them an observer status and hopefully in two months before the end of my term we will be able to receive them.”
The Assembly, which is to be presided over by Speaker Abdi, will be the last meeting EALA will be holding in Kampala as the second assembly given that its term ends on June 4.
Museveni ambition
The MPs are expected to deliberate on important pieces of legislation, including the Inter-University Council of East Africa Bill, the EAC Trans-boundary Ecosystem Management Bill 2010 and the EAC Polythene Materials Control Bill.
The House will also receive and consider reports from various committees of the Assembly and also consider motions and questions brought before the House. Responding to queries from journalists on President Museveni’s quest for regional presidency and the impact on the political federation, of Uganda’s lack of term limits, Speaker Abdi said it is beyond EALA’s mandate to address politics of individual member countries.
“As politicians, everyone is ambitious. If Museveni wants to become president, it’s good for us as East Africans because of his experience. But he cannot choose himself or impose himself on us. We [East Africans] will vote and decide on who leads us,” he said.
According to a communique from the secretariat, the Assembly shall also hold briefing sessions on progress concerning political federation, the social sector, customs and trade, planning and infrastructure as well as finance and administration, among other areas. ”
The EALA is the legislative organ of the EAC. Its membership consists of a total of 52 legislators, of whom 45 are elected members (nine from each partner state) and seven ex-officio members (the ministers responsible for EAC affairs from the partner states), and the secretary-general of the community.
By ISAAC IMAKA & ABDU KIYAGA, Daily Monitor
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