(Kampala) – Uganda’s Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among, has called on East African Community (EAC) member states to fully implement regional protocols to strengthen cohesion and foster development across the region.
Addressing the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) on October 29, 2024, Among stressed the importance of unity among EAC members, noting that cooperation on established protocols like the Common Market is essential for overcoming shared challenges. She pointed to the need for member states to adhere to decisions that eliminate tariff and non-tariff barriers, calling for practical action to turn agreements into reality.
Among highlighted how some member states have not upheld the Common Market Protocol’s goal of free movement, stating that consistent use of machine-readable national identity cards to cross borders should not be problematic if already agreed upon. “We should respect what we decide as institutions for the good of our countries,” she said.
The EALA session, chaired by Rt Hon. Joseph Ntakirutimana, marked the Third Session of its meeting in Kampala, with the Assembly currently deliberating on multiple legislative bills. Among praised progress in implementing the EAC’s Customs Union, Monetary Union, Common Market, and political federation pillars, adding that all EAC members need to work harder to dismantle the remaining barriers to integration. She encouraged open dialogue to address disagreements, noting that peace and security are fundamental for economic growth and unity.
She also emphasized the importance of acting on EALA’s decisions and passed bills to ensure effective governance. Among urged members to implement laws, such as the Standardization Bill, the Accreditation and Conformity Assessment Bill, and the Anti-Female Genital Mutilation Bill, which Hon. Jacqueline Amongin, Uganda’s EALA representative, is set to present.
| Key Bills for EALA Consideration | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Standardization Bill | Harmonize quality standards across EAC |
| Accreditation and Conformity Assessment Bill | Ensure uniformity in accreditation and product assessment across the region |
| Anti-Female Genital Mutilation Bill | Address and combat practices of FGM within EAC countries |
Speaker Among insisted that these laws should be “domesticated” and not simply approved at the assembly level but put into practice by each member state. “This action should be done by the ministers that represent the different East African states,” she urged.
EALA Speaker Rt Hon. Joseph Ntakirutimana, in turn, praised Uganda’s commitment to EAC integration and extended his gratitude to President Yoweri Museveni for his continued support for regional unity. Ntakirutimana acknowledged Uganda’s growing role in African parliamentary diplomacy, particularly noting Among’s recent election as Vice Chairperson of the Forum of African Speakers and President of Legislators in Accra, Ghana. He praised her election as an indication of Uganda’s influence in fostering sustainable development through active regional engagement.
