Movement of people within EAC still, restricted - government

A cyclist crosses from Kenya to Uganda at the Busia border. Government says movement within EAC is still restricted until full political federation is achieved. PHOTO BY DENIS EDEMA 

By ISMAIL MUSA LADU

Kampala- Movement of people from one East African Community (EAC) state to another will continue to be restricted until the member states achieve full political federation, Minister in charge of the Community Affairs Shem Bageine has said.




Speaking ahead of the 15th Ordinary EAC Summit that will climax with a public rally where all EAC Heads of State will speak about the integration process at Kololo ceremonial grounds, Mr Bageine said as long as EAC partner states haven’t politically merged, individual partner states reserve the right to determine who to do business with.

“All movements across the borders will be with a purpose. And not as it used to be in 1960s or as the ordinary man on the streets understands it,” Mr Bageine told journalists at a news conference in Kampala yesterday. He continued: “The purpose of your movement will either be about work, trade or something developmental—and that will be subjected to conditions of the member country.”

Although work permits will continue to be a pre-condition for one to be allowed to work In any of the EAC countries, the Minister seemed to suggest that it will be up to individual partner states to as well decide whether to impose a fees (for a work permit) or not. Rwanda and Kenya have already scrapped work permit fees. This means it is no longer a requirement for anybody from any EAC country to pay a fee to be allowed to work in Rwanda and Kenya. Uganda has since announced that it would scrap work permit fees for Kenyans and Rwandans beginning early next year.

“For you to work anywhere in the EAC, you will have to do so according to an agreed schedule. In other words, without a plan, you will always face restriction.”


“It is important to understand that as long as we remain as free partner states, there will always restrictions as opposed to total freedom of movement as assumed by a common man on the street,” Mr Bageine said.

Mr Bageine said apart from signing the monetary union protocol, the heads of states will also consider a report on the negotiations of the admission of the Republic of South Sudan into the East African Community bloc.

The meeting will also consider a report on the verification of the application of Somalia, progress report on the attainment of a Single Customs Territory and the way forward on the model structure and roadmap for the EAC Political Federation