What EAC heads say about 2019

Dar es Salaam. Presidents of East African Community (EAC) member states delivered their 2019 New Year messages, calling for promotion of unity, love and peace.

Speaking during New Year’s eve through state broadcasts, the five presidents including John Magufuli of Tanzania, Uhuru Kenyatta (Kenya), Yoweri Museveni (Uganda), Paul Kagame (Rwanda) and Pierre Nkurunziza of Burundi called upon their people to continue working hard to build their economies.

While some called 2019 the year of national revival and renewal, others branded it the year of economic reforms and a turning point socially and economically.

Tanzania

Delivering his New Year message, President John Magufuli advocated for solidarity, peace, unity and hard work among Tanzanians.

“We should continue developing what was achieved in 2018. We should love Tanzania, build Tanzania and our unity while believing in God,” he said. “I believe that the economy will expand in 2019, but we have to maintain peace and become patriots through hard work.”

He urged civil servants to remain confident, hardworking, warning them against intimidating people. He told civilians to continue working hard in farms, factories and businesses. “Tanzania is heading towards promising times. I can see a new Tanzania coming. Let’s hold on to our new Tanzania and live in it. This is the right time to build a new Tanzania.”

Kenya

President Uhuru Kenyatta called 2019 the year for national revival and renewal; a year when Kenyans water the seeds planted in the preceding years so that they may sprout and grow into a strong and towering tree, whose fruits are bountiful and enjoyed by every Kenyan. “In 2019, I promise you that my administration will make every possible effort to take practical measures to make it easier for you to grow your business,” he said.

He said this would be through exploring policies such as taxation, regulations, access to credit and measures to enable adoption of modern technology.

Uganda

President Museveni on Monday evening delivered his New Year address from his country home in Rwakitura, Kiruhura District. He paid tribute to all the people who had lost their lives in 2018. He outlined key issues in his speech including economy, youth development and employment, ending criminality and instilling political discipline.

He also talked about regional integration, corruption, political leaders acting as examples in wealth creation, irrigation and rampant land evictions.

Burundi

Burundi President Pierre Nkurunziza said in the year 2019, the political capital of Burundi will be established in the chief town of Gitega Province, saying some ministries would soon move there.

He expressed expectation that 2019 would be a turning point in history.

“From 2019 onwards the Council of Ministers’ meetings will be held in Gitega, and the president will be elected in 2020,” he said.

He also encouraged Burundians who have fled the country but they are wishing to return would do so in 2019.

Rwanda

President Paul Kagame has called on the people of Rwanda to continue working together in 2019 to ensure the country remained firmly on a progressive trajectory.

He urged Rwandans to continue working together, learning, serving their nation and building the capacity to ensure that nothing can reverse the gains achieved to date to ensure or destabilise Rwanda.

“Some neighbours have tried to revive the threat posed by FDLR, RNC and other negative forces. This jeopardizes the otherwise good progress in East African integration, as well as regional security,” he said.

“For one neighbour, we expect it. However, we are surprised by another neighbour, where the evidence we have, and which they must also have, shows clear complicity, despite public denials,” he added.

President Kagame called upon Rwandans to remain vigilant while not allowing being distracted.