The Bureau at its sitting in Nairobi, Kenya
The Speaker, Jacob Marksons Oboth says Parliament will review its budgetary provisions to determine how to accommodate the remuneration of Members of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA).
His statement follows a decision by the East African Community (EAC) Heads of State during their 25th Ordinary Summit held in March 2026 in Arusha, Tanzania.
During the Summit at which President Yoweri Museveni officially assumed the rotational chairmanship of the EAC, the Heads of State adopted several decisions aimed at strengthening the operations and sustainability of the regional bloc.
Among the key decisions taken was that Members of the EALA would be remunerated by their respective national assemblies starting in December 2027.
The other decisions included the adoption of a new EAC financing formula, comprising 50 per cent equal contributions and 50 per cent assessed contributions effective July 2026.
A 50 per cent waiver on partner states’ outstanding arrears was adopted with the remainder to be settled within two years.
Speaking at the extraordinary meeting of the Speakers’ Bureau of the EAC in Nairobi, Kenya, Oboth acknowledged the Summit’s decision placing the responsibility for EALA Members’ payment on the respective partner States.
“We stand ready to implement the decision at the earliest opportunity subject to the necessary amendments being effected in the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community,” he said.
Although Speaker Oboth did not specify how much Uganda would need to allocate to the money, the commitment signals a possible change in how the country meets the remuneration of representatives to the regional legislative assembly.
Regarding the proposed changes to the process of selecting EALA members, Oboth said Uganda had taken note of the proposed change in the election model for Members of the EALA under Article 50(1) of the Treaty to the effect that each partner state will be at liberty to identify and select the nine members in accordance with procedures to be determined by that partner state.
“Uganda is committed to abiding by the Summit’s decision and looks forward to participating in the necessary amendments to the Treaty to provide the legal framework for the new arrangement, he said adding that, ‘Parliament of Uganda is ready to effect the necessary amendments in its Rules of Procedure and institutional processes required to implement this decision’.
Oboth reaffirmed Uganda’s commitment to regional integration saying the strength of the community depends on partner states working together to translate collective decisions into action.
He also confirmed Uganda’s financial contribution towards the forthcoming EAC Inter-Parliamentary Games scheduled to take place in Arusha, Tanzania in from December 2026. The annual event brings together legislators from EAC Partner States to promote friendship, solidarity and cooperation among regional parliaments-Ug. Parliament. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
