Among roots for a united East Africa as Parliament gears up to host EALA Sittings

Speaker of Parliament of Uganda Anita Among has called on Members of Parliament from the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) to advocate for a one and united East Africa as Uganda’s Parliament gears up to host sittings of the regional Assembly.

EALA will hold its plenary sittings in Uganda’s parliament from 20th October to 12th November 2024 as part of its legislative culture of holding sittings in different East African Community (EAC) member countries with the aim to strengthen regional ties, facilitate cooperation, and promote economic integration. President Yoweri Museveni is expected to officially open the EALA sittings on Tuesday, 22 October 2024.

Speaking at a harmonisation meeting with Uganda’s representatives to EALA on Friday, 18 October 2024 ahead of the sittings, Speaker Among urged the MPs to be champions of East African unity, and strive to eliminate trade and travel barriers within the Community.

“We want you to advocate for a one and united East Africa, free from any barriers where we can trade normally and move easily from one country to the other. It is also you to champion the unity of East African countries,” Among said. She underscored the need for the East African Parliament to prioritise legislations and policies that have a direct impact on the local people in facilitating cross-border trade and movements.

Among pledged parliament’s full support to enable the East African Parliament to conduct its duties and urged the EALA MPs to freely interact, and exchange knowledge with Uganda’s legislators for the betterment of the EAC.

Uganda’s representative to EALA, Hon. Jacqueline Amongin, who was the head of the delegation, said these regional sittings will provide an opportunity for Uganda’s MPs to interface with the regional MPs in open discussion meetings for reporting and feedback.

Hon. Gerald Siranda Blacks, who also represents Uganda in EALA, urged the public to bring their petitions which will be processed by different committees.

“This sitting is for us to speak to people and also seek their views on what they want the East African Parliament to address,” he said.

Kumi Municipality Member of Parliament, Hon. Silas Aogon tasked the regional legislators to use the upcoming sittings to address challenges of cross-border communication.

Hon. Paul Musamali, Uganda’s representative to EALA said EAC is implementing the One Network Area (ONA) that will effectively reduce the high cost of telecommunications in the region. According to Musamali, ONA has now expanded to six out of the eight EAC Partner States, with the exception of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Somalia.