Tofali za tope biashara kubwa vijiji vya Kenya

Utengenezaji na uuzaji wa tofali za udongo umejitokeza kuwa mkombozi wa wakazi wa maeneo ya vijijini nchini Kenya, wanaozitumia kwaajili ya kujiingizia kipato, na zinasaidia pia kudhibiti hali ya hewa ndani ya nyumba.

Katika kijiji cha Kivoo mashariki mwa Kenya, Erastus Njiru hutumia njia ya uvuvi wa matope kutengeneza matofali. "Ninaweza kuuza hadi matofali elfu thelathini kwa siku”. Alisema Erastus Njiru mwenye umri wa miaka 34, wakati akisafisha mikono yake iliyokuwa na tope na baadaye kuikausha kwa kutumia taulo.
Wakati akizungumza na waandishi wa habari wa shirika la habari la Reuters Erastus anasema, tofali moja linauzwa kwa shilingi nane za Kenya na kama biashara ikiwa nzuri anaweza kupata shilingi elfu ishirini na nne za Kenya kwa juma moja.
Erastus Njiru ni miongoni mwa wakenya wengi wanaouza na kununua matofali ya tope kwa ajili ya kujengea nyumba ambazo ni za gharama nafuu na zinazoendana na mazingira ikilinganishwa na nyumba zinazojengwa kwa mawe au matofali ya saruji.

Nyumba za tofali za tope zinadhibiti baridi na joto ndani ya nyumba.

Nyumba zaidi zajengwa kwa tofali za udongo
Takribani asilimia 15 ya nyumba mpya kwa sasa zimejengwa na matofali ya tope, ikilinganishwa na asilimia moja ya mwaka 2010 na hiyo ni sawa na kusema kuna ongezeko la asilimia kumi na nne ya nyumba za matofali ya udongo kwa kipindi cha miaka minane tangu mwaka 2010, na hiyo ni kwa mujibu wa afisa mkuu katika wizara ya ardhi, nyumba na maendeleo ya mijini, Aidah Munano.
Mahitaji ya matofali ya tope kwa Kenya yapo katika maeneo ya vijijini zaidi kwa sababu nyumba zilizojengwa kwa matofali hayo zinaweza kutoa baridi wakati wa joto na kutoa joto wakati wa usiku, na gharama yake ni nusu ya ile ya matofali yaliyotengenezwa kwa saruji au mawe. Hiyo ni kwa mujibu wa Gitonga Murungi, muhifadhi kutoka Kenya.
Inaelezwa kuwa watu wa maeneo hasa ya vijijini nchini Kenya wanaogopa kujenga nyumba zao kwa kutumia mawe kwa gharama kubwa ikilinganishwa na matofali ya tope.

Utengenezaji wa tofali za tope umekuwa chanzo cha mapato kwa Wakenya wengi waishio katika maeneo ya vijini.

Chanzo cha ada ya watoto
Mmoja kati ya wakulima wa zamani nchini Kenya anasema kuwa yeye hakupata nafasi ya kumaliza masomo yake ya shule ya sekondari kwa sababu ya kukosekana kwa pesa za kulipa ada ya shule, lakini kwa sasa yeye anaweza kumudu gharama za kuwasomesha watoto wake mpaka chuo kikuu kwa biashara hiyo ya kuuza matofali ya tope.
Ayubu Shaka, mkurugenzi msaidizi wa idara ya hali ya hewa Kenya amesema kuwa upepo mkali sana katika nchi ya Kenya ni kitisho kwa raia kwa sababu mazao na mifugo wanapotea kwa kukosekana kwa maji.
Kuongezeka kwa joto kumemsababisha Milka Njeri mkulima wa mtama nchini humo kuzingatia utengenezaji wa matofali kama chanzo kingine cha mapato ya ziada. Anasema hapati pesa nyingi lakini si haba kwani anaweza kupata shilingi 2000 za Kenya kwa juma moja.
Watengenezaji wa matofali ya tope wanashauriwa kuhakikisha kuwa kazi yao haiharibu mazingira alisema Violet Matiru mhifadhi katik ashirika la misaada linalojihusisha na kutoa eleimu kuhusu masuala ya mazingira.

FOUR KEY BILLS SAIL THROUGH THE FIRST READING

East African Legislative Assembly

PRESS RELEASE

FOUR KEY BILLS SAIL THROUGH THE FIRST READING

East African Legislative Assembly, Arusha, Tanzania: May 31, 2017: Four crucial Bills sailed through the First Reading in the House yesterday.

The EAC Youth Council Bill, 2017, the EAC Mining Bill 2017, the EAC Appropriation Bill 2017  and the EAC Cross Border Trade in Professional Services Bill, 2017, were read for the first time yesterday and committed to the relevant committees.

The EAC Cross Border Trade in Professional Services Bill, 2017, which is expected to be a boost to the Common Market Protocol, is moved by Hon Fred Mukasa Mbidde. The Bill hopes to provide for the conduct and regulation of Cross Border Trade in Professional Services in the Community and to make provisions for purposes connected to the practice of professions through borders of the Community.

The Bill is premised on Article 104 of the Treaty for the Establishment of the EAC under which the Partner States undertook to adopt measures to achieve free movement of persons, labour and services and to ensure the enjoyment of the right of establishment and residence of the citizens within the Community. 

At the same time, the Bill should see the operationalisation of Article 76 of the Treaty which provides for free movement of labour, goods, services, capital and the rights of establishment.    In the same regard, it takes into account the provisions of article 10 on free movement of workers and Article 11 on harmonisation and mutual recognition of academic and professional qualifications.

The EAC Mining Bill 2017, moved by Hon Chris Opoka-Okumu hopes to provide legal framework for the regulation of mining operations in the Community.  It seeks to implement the EAC Vision 2050 and specifically to operationalise Article 114(2) (c ) (iv) of the EAC Treaty which calls for harmonisation of mining regulations to ensure environmentally friendly and sound mining practices.

The Bill further provides for a transparent and accountable mechanism for the reporting of mining and mineral related activities in the Community. It is to ultimately reduce the differences in the operating environment for the mining sector.

Not to be left behind are the youth who make a significant percentage of the EAC populace following the introduction of the EAC Youth Council Bill, 2017.  The Bill moved by Hon Susan Nakawuki, is premised on Article 120 of the EAC Treaty and seeks to implement the EAC Youth Policy 2014 which is an integral part of the 4^th EAC Development Strategy 2011/2012 – 2015/2016.   The Bill recognises that Partner States have diverse laws and policies regarding the youth in their territories.  The Bill therefore attempts to uniformalise the laws and regulations pertaining to youth in the Community.

The Appropriation Bill, 2017 on its part, makes provision for appropriation out of the budget of EAC for specified amounts of money for the services and purposes of the Community for the Financial Year ending 30^th June 2018.

Parliament meets for the entire day on Wednesday, 31^st May, 2017.

JAMBAZI MREMBO AUWAWA KWA KUPIGWA RISASI NA POLISI KENYA

Jeshi la polisi Kenya limewauwa kwa kuwapiga risasi majambazi wawili mmoja wao akiwa ni jambazi wa kike anayesemekana kuwa ni jambazi mrembo pengine kuliko wote.

Majambazi hao waliuwawa wakiwa katika eneo la Chokaa Jijini Nairobi walipopambana na polisi kwa kufyatuliana risasi, huku wenzao wawili wakifanikiwa kutoroka.

Mitandao ya jamii imemtambua jambazi huyo mwanamke kwa jina la Claire Mwaniki, ambaye alikufa mkononi akiwa ameshikilia bastola aina ya Baretta ikiwa na risasi sita.

Kamanda wa Polisi Jijini Nairobi, Japheth Koome, amesema kuwa wahalifu wengi nchini humo wanakuwa na wanawake wanaofanyanao ujambazi.

MVUA ZINAZONYESHA KENYA ZALETA MAAFA NA KUATHIRI MAJENGO

Majengo ambayo thamani yake haijajulikana yameharibika nchini Kenya kutokana na mvua kubwa inayoendelea kunyesha kwenye kaunti kadhaa za nchi hiyo.

Pia kumekuwepo na hofu ya kutokea maporomoko ya ardhi na tayari wakazi wa maeneo yenye maporomoko wamehamishiwa mahala salama.

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Wakazi wa maeneo ya milimani ya Pokoti Kusini, wametakiwa kuwa waangalifu juu ya uwezekano wa kutokea mafuriko na maporomoko.

VYOMBO VYA HABARI KENYA KUENDESHA MIDAHALO MITATU YA WAGOMBEA URAIS

Vyombo vya habari nchini Kenya vitaendesha midahalo mitatu ya wagombea urais mwezi mmoja kabla ya Uchaguzi Mkuu utakaofanyika Agosti mwaka huu.

Midahalo hiyo ya urais itafanyika katika tarehe tofauti mwezi Julai, huku mdahalo wa kwanza wa marais ukipangwa kufanyika Julai 10.

Mdahalo wa wagombea mwenza utafuatia Julai 17 na kisha mdahalo wa mwisho wa wagombea urais Kenya kufanyika Julai 24.

Midahalo hiyo yote itafanyika kwenye chuo cha Catholic University of Eastern Africa saa moja na nusu usiku na kurushwa kwenye runinga na redioni.

SHYROSE AWASILISHA MUSWADA BINAFSI KUSAIDIA WENYE ULEMAVU

Muswada binafsi wenye lengo la kutungwa kwa sheria ya kuwalinda albino umewasilishwa kwenye kikao kinachoendelea mjini Kigali, Rwanda.Muswada huo umewasilishwa bungeni na Mheshimiwa Shyrose Bhanji, mbunge wa Tanzania.

Katika muswada huo, Bhanji ameelekeza haki za msingi zinazopaswa kutolewa kwa walemavu hao kutoka Serikalini, Taasisi binafsi na kwenye jamii zetu.

Muswada huo kama utapitishwa na Bunge na hatimaye kukubalika na Marais wa Afrika Mashariki, utatumika kwa nchi zote za Afrika Mashariki na utakuwa umesaidia watu wenye Ualbino.

                                                                                 Mheshimiwa Shyrose Bhanji

“Ninamshukuru Mungu kwa fursa hii, ” anasema Bhanji huku akisema kwamba kwake yeye jana ilikuwa ni siku ya furaha kubwa kwani hatimaye aliweza kuwasilisha bungeni muswada huo binafsi ambao unaoitwa The EAC Protection Of People with Albinism Bill 2017.

Mwanamuziki mahiri nchini Chege Chigunda aliandika katika page yake ya Instagram ambapo alimpongeza mbunge huyo kwa namna anavyofikiri na kutetea walemavu aliandika:

“Hongera sana Mbunge wetu wa Afrika Mashariki Mhe. ShyRose Bhanji @shyrosebhanji kwa kupigania haki za ndugu zetu wenye ualbino. Hakika umeacha alama kubwa ya uwakilishi wako Tanzania na Afrika Mashariki. Tunajivunia.”

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

East African Community

MEDIA ALERT

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

Dear members of media

International Women’s Day is annually held on March 8 to celebrate women’s achievements throughout history and across nations. It is also known as the United Nations (UN) Day for Women’s Rights and International Peace. The UN drew global attention to women's concerns in 1975 by calling for an International Women's Year. It also convened the First World Conference on women in Mexico City that year. The UN General Assembly then invited member states to proclaim March 8 as the UN Day for Women's Rights.

The United Nations theme for International Women’s Day, 2017, focuses on “Women in the Changing World of Work: Planet 50-50 by 2030”.

The EAC Partner States recognise that women make a significant contribution towards the process of economic transformation and sustainable growth and that it is impossible to implement effective programs for the economic and social development of the Partner States without the full participation of women.

To this end, the EAC has put the inclusion of women and girls at the centre of the development programmes with Partner States ensuring affirmative action, constitutional and legal reforms, development of national gender policies; institutional mechanisms for implementation and accountability; economic empowerment measures; and sector-specific policies.

The EAC Secretariat is therefore committed to ‘Be Bold for Change’ to ensure an East African Community where women can participate as equal partners, decision makers, and beneficiaries of the sustainable development of their societies.

To mark International Women’s Day, tomorrow 8, March 2017, EAC Secretariat has organized a special events  to celebrate the International Women’s Day as follows;

Events

1.     Walk and trees planting

·         Together with the Arusha City Council, Women Organizations’, East African Women in Business Platform, Staff of the EAC Secretariat and other guests, the Secretary General will lead all women and men in a ‘walk for gender equality’.

2.     Presentations:

·         By Women Leaders in the EAC – Topic: Be Bold for Change

·         On Opportunities for Women in Business in the EAC

·         Presentations from the IIDEA projects that focus on women

·         Moderated interactive session.

3.     EAC and East African Women in Business Platform (EAWiBP) MOU signing.

4.     Launch of the Simplified Guide for Micro and Small Scale Women Cross Border Traders and Service Providers within the East African Community (EAC).

Attached is draft program for your information

You are kindly invited to attend  this event. Please confirm your participation for this event latest by  4pm Today

MEETING OF THE SECTORAL COUNCIL ON TRADE, INDUSTRY, FINANCE AND INVESTMENT STARTS IN ARUSHA

A section of participants at the opening session of the meeting of the Sectoral Council on Trade, Industry, Finance and Investment at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.

The meeting of the East African Community Sectoral Council on Trade, Industry, Finance and Investment (SCTIFI) kicked off at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania today.

The SCTIFI meeting which will run from 30th January to 3rd February, 2017 has drawn participants from all EAC Partner States namely Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda.

The five-day meeting which began with the Session of Senior Officials will also include the Session of the Coordination Committee (comprising Permanent/Principal Secretaries) and culminate with the Session of Ministers.

High on the agenda of the meeting are the consideration of Progress Reports on: the EAC Single Customs Territory; the Development of a Framework for the EAC Customs Bond, and; the Development of the Customs Valuation and Risk Management System.

The meeting will also consider: Proposed EAC Information System for Customs and Trade; Report of Experts on Chapter 15 of the Revised EAC Rules of Origin; Development of Product Identification Bulletins; Progress Report on the Comprehensive Review of the EAC Common External Tariff and EAC Rules of Origin, and; Draft Regulations on Motor Vehicle Assembly within the region.

HOUSE ADOPTS REGIONAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE REPORT ON PUBLIC HEARINGS OVER EAC-APSA STAFF COMPLAINTS

           Hon Bernard Mulengani makes his contribution on the floor of the House

The Secretary General of the EAC, Amb Liberat Mfumukeko contributes to the debate

CHAIRof the Council of Ministers, Hon Dr Susan A. Kolimba addresses the House

EALA is calling for the completion of the ratification process of the EAC Peace and Security Protocol and its full implementation including the setting up of the EAC Security Council, the stand-by force, the Panel of the Wise and related institutional capacities and structures. 

Consequently, the Assembly is recommending to the EAC Council of Ministers to ensure the operationalization of its (Council of Ministers) previous decisions including re-instating and directing that staff of the East African Community – African Peace and Security Architecture (EAC-APSA) structures are mainstreamed on the EAC Structures and payroll thereof.

The House also further recommends that the EAC Secretary General works closely with the African Union Structures to strengthen the EAC-APSA structures. It calls for the Secretary General to adopt a consultative leadership style and team work guided by principles of good governance within the Community. With that, the operationalization of the East African Parliamentary Institute is deemed to be of absolute necessity. Specifically, work to establish the East African Parliamentary Centre for peace and security as part of the institutional framework under EAPI is also vital.

The Assembly adopted the report of the Committee on Regional Affairs and Conflict Resolution on the Public hearings on the complaints raised in a motion for the Peace and Security Department at the EAC Secretariat under the African Peace and Security Architecture. The report was presented to the House by Hon Mike Sebalu on behalf of the substantiveCHAIR, Hon Abdullah Mwinyi.

The report follows the adoption of a resolution on August 23rd, 2016, at its 136th Sitting in Arusha that required investigations on allegations of bad governance at the EAC Secretariat with reference inter alia to attempts to terminate the contracts of staff of the EAC APSA Programme. To this effect,THE SPEAKER of EALA referred the matter to the Committee on Regional and Conflict Resolution to investigate the allegations and report back expeditiously to the House.

The EAC-APSA structures according to the Report are part and parcel of the African Union Peace and Security Frameworks, a Standing Organ of the African Union. Essentially, APSA encourages all the eight RECs to have Peace and Security Councils. At the moment only the SADC and ECOWAS blocs have the Peace and Security Councils with the other blocs (EAC included) having the dockets.

According to the report, APSA has a roadmap with three phases (2008-2010 which concentrates efforts on capacity building, phase 2 (2011 – 2013), on operationalization of the pillars and 2016 – 2018).

In June 2016, the Report states, the Secretary General gave instructions to the Director of Human Resources and Administration to terminate the contracts of APSA staff due to lack of funds to sustain their continued employment, the matter of which primarily led to the public hearing. 

Hon Sebalu informed the House the Committee served notices to 22 persons comprising of theCHAIR, Council of Ministers, EAC Secretary General, Executives of the EAC and the affected staff.

The Committee further observed that APSA is anIMPORTANT institutional framework, critical to peace, security and stability in Africa and globally. It therefore stated the decision making of the Secretary General on the matter of termination of APSA staff were not done in accordance with the Rules and regulations of the EAC staff and by extension, the shut-down of the EAC-APSA structures was down without required procedures of termination.

The House was informed some of the aggrieved staff headed to the East African Court of Justice to seek redress in the matter which further complicated the matter for the Counsel to the Community. The Council of Ministers however, intervened and pronounced itself on the matter directing the Secretary General of the Community to rescind the decision and to amicably settle the matter out of Court.

The Committee in its findings reiterated a number of negative impacts premised on the decision to terminate the EAC APSA staff. Such include; immobilizing the Conflict Early Warning system that us design to aid the Community to progressively address situations that can lead to timely intervention to peace and compromising the competencies, nurtured and built over years on matters of peace and security.

During debate, Hon Francois Kalinda reiterated that the procedure of termination of staff was not followed. “The Secretary General needs to recommend to the Council based on the Human Resources Advisory Committee which was not done”

Hon Bernard Mulengani stated that decisions of the Council of Ministers need to be adhered to by the Secretary General who is the Chief Executive of the Community. The Executive should also listen to the advice of the Counsel to the Community who is the legal Advisor of the Community. The legislator demanded to know why the staff of the APSA Programme were yet to be mainstreamed in to the structure of the EAC.

He called for the amendment of the Treaty by the Summit of EAC Heads of State to vet the political appointees.Hon Dora Byamukama termed peace and security as a key component of the Community and such architecture feeds into the continental level. “We must take this aspect very seriously”, she said, adding the handling of the termination was perturbing.

The Council of Ministers need to tell us the action so far taken in terms of ensuring the security of the staff of APSA and the withdrawal of the case. She said funding wasIMPORTANT for the Programme and requested to know if the EU funding was sustainable. “At ECOWAS, the APSA Programme is fully funded by the regional bloc. I think it is high time we took up the structure as part of the EAC funding”, she said.

Hon Emmanuel Nengo said liquidity issues continued to hamper the activities of the Community. “I think the exercise we have gone through shall help the Executive to improve work”, he said. The Legislator further said the open source (form of acquiring information) at the Early Warning Systems at the EAC may not be objective at all times and asked for Offices to be opened in each Partner State.

HonJEAN Marie Muhirwa said Peace and security were vital for progress in the region. He said funding and staffing were key to ensure sustenance of the programme. “Funding needs to be secured”, he said.

On his part, Hon Abubakar Zein noted that the Chairperson of Summit on the EAC Heads of State was clear that issues of governance must be upheld while Hon Martin Ngoga said scrutiny was now a way of life in the Community. “We must not allow anyone to act as they wish, otherwise it would disintegrate the Community”, he said.

He said it was necessary for the Assembly to remain objective in line with the Rules and Procedures if it is to be of service to the Community.Hon Angela Kizigha said the Community is rule based in line with Article 6 of the Treaty for the Establishment of the EAC. “The decision by the Secretary General contravened the Rules and regulations of the Community. All decisions taken must be in line with Article 6”, she added.

Hon AbuBakr Ogle stated that Members had taken an Oath to serve the Community and the interests of the bloc should take precedence over all matters. He reiterated the need for the Executive to engage in consultative leadership

“At the moment, there is litigation in the matter pending before the East African Court of Justice and is expected to resume in March 2017” the Counsel to the Community, Hon Dr Anthony Kafumbe said. “I am confident that the matter shall be settled amicably and come to some settlement before then”, he added.

The Secretary General of the EAC, Amb Liberat Mfumukeko, said his action was done in good faith, adding that funding was indeed a challenge for the Community. He said the APSA Project as at April 2016, had a deficit of over USD 300,000 and the Community was indeed giving money to the project at that time.

He said the Executives, heads of Institutions and staff had been consulted during a consultative meeting in May 2016. “Further to that, under staff Rules 37, the Secretary General is advised by a Committee that includes the Deputy Secretary General, the Counsel to the Community and the Directors of Finance and Administration and Human Resources among others” he stated.

He remarked that letters of rescinding their termination were however written on the recommendations of the Council and said the contracts were furtherRENEWED in December 2016 until the end of the Financial Year (2016/17).

Others who supported the report were Hon Pierre Celestin Rwigema and Hon Sarah Bonaya.TheCHAIR of the Council of Ministers, Hon Dr Susan A. Kolimba assured the House the Secretariat follows the Rules and Regulations of the Community as laid down. We undertake to assist the Secretary General and the Secretariat in ensuring the rules and regulations are done.

She remarked that the Council was also making follow-up to ensure the remaining two Partner States duly ratify the Peace and Security Protocol.

HOUSE ENACTS TWO KEY BILLS AS IT ADJOURNS

Hon Martin Ngoga, presents the Report of the Committee on Legal Rules and Privileges

 Hon Susan Nakawuki makes her contribution to the Administration of the EACJ Bill, 2016

Hon Dora Byamukama, Mover of the EAC Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation Bill on the floor of the House

EALA has enacted two pieces of legislation. The EAC Prohibition of FGM Bill, 2016 and the Administration of the East African Court of Justice Bill, 2016, sailed through as the House adjourned.

The EAC Prohibition of FGM Bill, 2016, moved by Hon Dora Byamukama, is seen as critical in outlawing the cultural practice. The Bill states that the culture of FGM brings with it a number of complications including early child marriage and defilement and health complications that sometimes lead to transmission of HIV and AIDS, death and injuries to those who bear the practice.

The enactment of the Bill was preceded by the adoption of the Report of the Committee on Legal, Rules and Privileges on the Bill. The Report was presented by Hon Martin Ngoga on behalf of the substantiveCHAIR, Hon Peter Mathuki.

The Committee noted in its findings that the practice of Female Genital Mutilation persists in some communities such as the Kadama and Tepeth of Uganda, the Pokot and Mount Elgon Maasai (Sebeny and Kalenjin) of both Kenya and Uganda, the Maasai from Tanzania, as well as the immigrants including the Somali and Ethiopian Communities.

Hon Martin Ngoga, presents the Report of the Committee on Legal Rules and Privileges

 Hon Susan Nakawuki makes her contribution to the Administration of the EACJ Bill, 2016

Hon Dora Byamukama, Mover of the EAC Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation Bill on the floor of the House

EALA has enacted two pieces of legislation. The EAC Prohibition of FGM Bill, 2016 and the Administration of the East African Court of Justice Bill, 2016, sailed through as the House adjourned.

The EAC Prohibition of FGM Bill, 2016, moved by Hon Dora Byamukama, is seen as critical in outlawing the cultural practice. The Bill states that the culture of FGM brings with it a number of complications including early child marriage and defilement and health complications that sometimes lead to transmission of HIV and AIDS, death and injuries to those who bear the practice.

The enactment of the Bill was preceded by the adoption of the Report of the Committee on Legal, Rules and Privileges on the Bill. The Report was presented by Hon Martin Ngoga on behalf of the substantiveCHAIR, Hon Peter Mathuki.

The Committee noted in its findings that the practice of Female Genital Mutilation persists in some communities such as the Kadama and Tepeth of Uganda, the Pokot and Mount Elgon Maasai (Sebeny and Kalenjin) of both Kenya and Uganda, the Maasai from Tanzania, as well as the immigrants including the Somali and Ethiopian Communities.

The Committee further observed that the practice of FGM is a cross-border practice which requires co-operation and collaboration of EAC Partner States in order to effectively implement the law and eventually eliminate it.

In its methodology, the Committee reviewed literature relating to FGM on the one side and considered stakeholders’ views from the Consultative meetings on the Bill held during the 3rd Sensitisation program held in the Partner States from 27th October to 7th November, 2016.

The Report was supported by Hon Dr Martin Nduwimana, Hon Susan Nakawuki, Hon Shyrose Bhanji and Hon Tiperu Nusura.While addressing EALA at A Special Sitting on January 17th, 2017, H.E. Yoweri Museveni castigated those who practice FGM terming it as an outdated cultural practice.

The second Bill, the Administration of the East African Court of Justice (EACJ) Bill, 2016 also sailed through. The Bill moved by Hon Chris Opoka seeks to operationalize the provisions of the Treaty relating to the EACJ, to strengthen its judicial independence, establish structures of administration and provide for employment and disciplinary control of the Court’s employees and other matters incidental to the Court.

The Legal and Privileges Committee reviewed literature related to the Court and held interactive discussions with the mover and the Registrar of the EACJ, His Worship, Yufnalis Okubo.

The Committee observed that the Bill would strengthen judicial independence of the EAC and promote the separation of powers within the EAC.

Judicial independence is one of the fundamental elements of a successful democracy and cannot be achievable if the independence is undermined.The Council of Ministers did grant financial and administrative autonomy to the Court and the Assembly therefore a Bill of thisNATURE would enable the Court to attain autonomy.
Supporting the Motion were Hon Abubakar Zein and Hon Taslima Twaha.The Committee further observed that the practice of FGM is a cross-border practice which requires co-operation and collaboration of EAC Partner States in order to effectively implement the law and eventually eliminate it.

In its methodology, the Committee reviewed literature relating to FGM on the one side and considered stakeholders’ views from the Consultative meetings on the Bill held during the 3rd Sensitisation program held in the Partner States from 27th October to 7th November, 2016.

The Report was supported by Hon Dr Martin Nduwimana, Hon Susan Nakawuki, Hon Shyrose Bhanji and Hon Tiperu Nusura.While addressing EALA at A Special Sitting on January 17th, 2017, H.E. Yoweri Museveni castigated those who practice FGM terming it as an outdated cultural practice.

The second Bill, the Administration of the East African Court of Justice (EACJ) Bill, 2016 also sailed through. The Bill moved by Hon Chris Opoka seeks to operationalize the provisions of the Treaty relating to the EACJ, to strengthen its judicial independence, establish structures of administration and provide for employment and disciplinary control of the Court’s employees and other matters incidental to the Court.

The Legal and Privileges Committee reviewed literature related to the Court and held interactive discussions with the mover and the Registrar of the EACJ, His Worship, Yufnalis Okubo.

The Committee observed that the Bill would strengthen judicial independence of the EAC and promote the separation of powers within the EAC.

Judicial independence is one of the fundamental elements of a successful democracy and cannot be achievable if the independence is undermined.The Council of Ministers did grant financial and administrative autonomy to the Court and the Assembly therefore a Bill of thisNATURE would enable the Court to attain autonomy.

Supporting the Motion were Hon Abubakar Zein and Hon Taslima Twaha.

PRESS STATEMENT BY RT. HON. DANIEL F. KIDEGA, SPEAKER OF EALA ON MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 2017 AT PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA

Hon Daniel F. Kidega, Speaker of EALA at the Press Conference. The 4th Meeting of the 5th Session of EALA commenced today in Kampala, Uganda

Ladies & Gentlemen of the Press,

Good Morning! I welcome you all to this press briefing and thank you for your attendance.  This being my first Press Conference this year, I wish all citizens of Uganda and the East African Community, a progressive 2017. I wish to notify you of the 4^th Meeting of the 5^th Session of the 3^rd Assembly which commences here in Kampala, Uganda, from today, up until January 26^th, 2017.

At this juncture, I salute his Excellency President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and the entire Government of the Republic of Uganda for once more accepting to host EALA. We do not take this for granted.

I also in a special way thank our host, the Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda, Rt. Hon Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga, for granting us access to the facilities here at the Parliament of Uganda. This session takes place here in pursuit of the principle of rotation anchored on the provisions of Article 55 of the EAC Treaty on the one hand and on the other hand, bringing the Assembly closer to the people in line with the principle of people-centredness.

Over the two-weeks, the Assembly will consider the following notable business:

• receive the Official Address by H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni at the Special Sitting on Tuesday, January 17^th, 2017;
• debate on the following key Bills:

a)     the EAC Gender Equality and Development Bill, 2016

b)    the Administration of East African Court of Justice Bill, 2016,

c)     the EAC Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation Bill, 2016.

• receive and consider reports from various Committees of the Assembly including the Committee on Communication, Trade and Investments, the Committee on Accounts, Committee on Regional Affairs and Conflict Resolution and the Committee on Legal Rules and Privileges.

• EALA will also consider several Motions and Questions brought before the House.

The EAC is at an important period in the integration dispensation. Under the Customs Union, the region is implementing the Single Customs Territory regime which essentially enables faster movement of goods while enhancing the flow of transport from the ports to the Partner States.

The Common Market Protocol on its part, provides for free movement of goods, persons, services, labour, capital and the right to establishment and the right of residence.  Some successes have been realized since the entry of the Common Market Protocol in 2010. Such include the introduction of the International E-Passports, movement using identity cards in some of the Partner States and reduction in Non-Tariff Barriers.

The second EAC Common Market Scorecard 2016, launched last October in Kampala, while revealing a number of reforms realized since 2014, still depicts non-conforming measures especially on trade liberalization of services and general compliance to the tenets of the Protocol.

All Partner States have shown political will to enforce the Protocol but there are still some fears and suspicions hampering the freedoms and the rights alluded to above.  EALA and other stakeholders remain concerned over the delays in implementation of the Protocol. 

The demands for reduction (or abolition altogether) of work permit fees, the need for standardization when it comes to issuance of the said permits and smoother and easier movement of persons from one Partner State to another, need to be speedily addressed.

The harmonization/approximation of Laws in the EAC context is also fundamental for the region to move in tandem. A report of the Committee on Rules and Privileges of the Oversight activity on approximation of national laws in Partner States adopted by the Assembly in November 2016, indicates that Republic of Rwanda and Uganda have each harmonized 10 laws, Tanzania (6 laws), Kenya (4 laws) and Burundi (3 Laws).

Let me also take this opportunity to urge the Council of Ministers to finalize the policy with regards to harmonization of academic and professional qualification regulations.

The Assembly is also keen to enact legislation on cross-border practice of professional services and on social security portability.   This shall address the regional services’ market which is currently fragmented by restrictive policies, many pegged on nationalistic requirements, in licensing, qualification, regulatory and educational requirements. Such legislation would institute a framework for Professional workers across many sectors – be they legal, medical, education and others to move freely in the region thus operationalising Article 76 of the EAC Treaty. 

Under the Monetary Union, EALA is pledging to work closely with the Council of Ministers to enact necessary legislations establishing the East African Monetary Institute, East African Financial Services Commission and the East African Surveillance, Compliance and Enforcement Commission among others.

The Partner States’ Central Banks have made tremendous progress with regards to financial sector integration, including commencing the harmonization of payment systems and financial markets. In order to attain the Monetary Union, the region should harmonize monetary and fiscal policies; and policies and standards on statistical information as well as establishment of an East African Central Bank.

We expect processes of some of these key pieces of legislation to be moved within the next few months before we wind down our tenure in June 2017.

EALA is also looking forward to the next Summit of EAC Heads of State that shall conclude among other matters, the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs).  As an Assembly, we want the EPAs handled with utmost care taking into consideration our quest for industrialization so that a suitable decision that takes into consideration what is best for the region is achieved.

On matters of peace and security, the EAC is yet to be fully secure given the recent political and insecurity challenges. It is important to silence all guns in order to concentrate on developmental matters including the elimination of poverty. We also appeal to the Partner States to be more vigilant to contain terrorism which is still a challenge within the bloc.

Another major challenge facing the EAC today is funding.  The matter is so critical that the Assembly and a number of Institutions and Organs literally postponed or reduced some of their activities last year. The contribution by Partner States which, stands at about 40% (actual 36.79%), paints a less than positive picture of the direction necessary to drive the Community.

 In the regard, I appeal to the Partner States to make their full remittances immediately to enable the Community to undertake its projects.  The Council of Ministers also needs to speedily implement the Sustainable Funding Mechanism for the EAC which is a directive of the Summit of EAC Heads of State.

This is indeed the last Sitting of EALA in the Republic of Uganda under its principle of rotation before we usher in the new Assembly. I therefore thank the Parliament and people of Uganda and EAC generally for affording us an opportunity to serve them at the regional level.

Finally, I welcome the media to fully cover the EALA Plenary sittings during the two weeks. I thank you for your kind attention.