Renewed call for Eala’s autonomy

Arusha. Renewed call for autonomy was made in Kampala, Uganda on Monday as the fourth East African Legislative Assembly (Eala) began its maiden session.

"Autonomy for Eala is vital and Parliament of Uganda is so keen to see it operationalized", said the Speaker of the Uganda Parliament Rebecca Kadaga, according to a dispatch to The Citizen.

She made the remarks when she opened the week-long induction for the new members of the regional Assembly, sworn in last month after a six month delay.

Full financial and administrative autonomy for Eala and the East African Court of Justice (EACJ) have been agitated for years, albeit without much success.

Most of the the powers, including recruitment of staff, procurement matters and budget administration still remai with the Secretariat, the executive arm of the East African Community (EAC).

Repeated calls for autonomy for the legislative arm of the Community, picked up during the fourth Eala whose five year tenure (2012-2017)  ended in June last year.

 

The MPs insisted numerous times  that full autonomy of the  legislative body, especially in financial matters, would make it discharge its activities more effectively and efficiently.

 

Eala, a Community organ made up of nine MPs from each of the six EAC member countries, has legislative functions as well as oversight of all the EAC matters.

 

The enactment of the legislation of the Community is effected by means of bills passed by the Assembly and assented by the Heads of State.

 

In 2016 passed a Resolution which called for granting of full financial and administrative autonomy to Eala and EACJ as part of the proposed reforms within the regional organization.

 

Ms Kadaga emphasized the principle of rotation (among the partner states) in the appointment of key officials of the EAC and hosting of major events of the regional body.

 

 "As legislators, we must direct our efforts towards a unified and empowered EAC", she said, adding that the MPs should look beyond nationalism to a regional mindset.

 

 Eala Speaker Martin Ngoga said the assembly was keen to take the mantle to the next level. "This is what it means with continuity and facilitating growth".

 

According to Eala spokesperson Bobi Odiko, the induction process is geared at updating the new members on matters pertaining to integration and on Parliamentary procedures.

 

The exercise will be followed by a plenary session which will extend to February 9th during which a number of bills will be tabled.