Calls for accelerated regional integration, improved transport infrastructure, enhanced trade cooperation, and the fast-tracking of a common currency dominated discussions between East African Community (EAC) leaders and officials during a high-level meeting at State Lodge, Nakasero. The discussions focused on key challenges affecting the regional bloc, including trade facilitation, infrastructure development, health, financing, staffing constraints within EAC institutions, and the broader agenda of regional integration.
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who currently serves as chairperson of the East African Community, used the meeting with EAC Secretary General Stephen Patrick Mbundi and his delegation to emphasize the need for stronger cooperation among member states and the effective implementation of programmes aimed at improving the livelihoods of East Africans.
Museveni called on the East African Business Council to support rather than undermine the growth of the regional market. “We should engage in a structural way and tell them that please stop misusing the member states to distort the growth of the East African market,” Museveni said. The President also reiterated his support for integrated transport infrastructure across the region, particularly the rationalisation of transport systems to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
He argued that heavy cargo and petroleum products should primarily be transported by railway, leaving roads for passenger traffic and lighter cargo. He directed the relevant transport authorities and EAC officials to work together to develop practical solutions for regional transport connectivity. “The transport committee should meet and really concretize this. I totally support it. I agree. I will tell our minister of Transport, and the minister for East African Affairs here will coordinate them to meet and work out all these connections,” he added.
A major highlight of the meeting was the discussion on the proposed East African Monetary Union, with Mbundi urging Museveni to engage regional central bank governors to accelerate progress towards the establishment of a common currency. According to Mbundi, delays in implementing the monetary union continue to affect businesses and ordinary citizens because of persistent exchange rate fluctuations among member states. He proposed a phased approach to implementation, arguing that waiting for all eight member states to simultaneously meet convergence criteria could delay progress indefinitely.
“I wanted to propose that countries which are able should move ahead. Eight countries cannot converge at the same time. If we could start with three or four countries, then the others can join later. Otherwise, we are not doing a good service to the population on the issue of the monetary union,” he explained. During the discussions, Museveni also welcomed a proposal by the EAC Secretariat requiring non-member countries exporting goods into the East African market to contribute financially to the Community. “These people who are selling things from here, why don’t they contribute? It’s fantastic. I had not thought about it, but I think it is a new idea and a very good idea,” he noted.
The meeting was also attended by the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for East African Community Affairs, Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga, who said the region faces a significant responsibility to advance the integration agenda under Museveni’s chairmanship. “We have a very heavy burden because you are the chair of the summit. On this continent, you are well known as the champion of integration, so we have a bigger burden to deliver for the community,” Kadaga said.
She expressed optimism that progress could be made on the remaining pillars of the integration agenda, particularly political integration and the monetary union. “I am really hoping that during your tenure, we should be able to achieve at least the last two pillars, integration and monetary union,” she added. Mbundi also expressed gratitude for the confidence shown in him by the EAC Summit, which unanimously endorsed his appointment as Secretary General.
“I’m grateful for the confidence and trust the Summit bestowed upon me by unanimously endorsing my nomination as Secretary General of the East African Community. I wish to commit that I am ready to shoulder this obligation of steering our community to the destiny which the people of East Africa really wish,” Mbundi said.
He outlined several priority areas for his tenure, including strengthening climate resilience, food security, and renewable energy access across the region. According to Mbundi, the Secretariat will focus on promoting climate-smart agricultural practices, reducing post-harvest losses, improving water resource management in the Lake Victoria Basin, and expanding access to clean and renewable energy sources-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
