President Yoweri Museveni praises President Uhuru Kenyatta's commitment to EAC

(From L to R) Burundi President Pierre Nkurunziza, Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete, President Uhuru Kenyatta, host President Yoweri Museveni and Rwandan President Paul Kagame during the 15th Ordinary Summit of The East African Community Heads of State at Speke Resort, Kampala. PHOTO | PSCU  PSCU

In Summary

• EAC summit received the progress report on the negotiations for the admission of the Republic of South Sudan and Somalia to the Community
• The summit asked its partner states to conclude the ratification process of the East Africa Monetary Union by July 2014

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By PSCU
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KAMPALA

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has commended President Uhuru Kenyatta for his political goodwill to the East African Community.

Speaking during the formal handing over of the EAC chairmanship to President Kenyatta on Saturday, President Museveni said through political goodwill, the time taken for goods to reach Kampala from the port of Mombasa had reduced from 18 days to three, while it only took four days for cargo from the port to reach Rwanda. (READ: Sh2.3bn grant to boost operations at the port)

President Museveni praised the Kenyan government's commitment to enhanced regional trade and urged EAC member countries to hasten the process of integration.

The Ugandan leader also claimed Africa was facing a threat to its sovereignty from the Western world and integration was the only option.

He expressed gratitude to Kenyans for launching a renewed resistance movement against imperialism and hegemonism by the way they voted against arrogant meddling in their internal affairs.

“The way the Kenyan people voted last March was the second but peaceful Mau-mau resistance,” he said

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PROGRESS

The 15th Ordinary Summit of Heads of State ended with a communiqué which underlined the progress achieved so far in the integration process.

At the summit, Dr. Emmanuel Ugirashebuja of Rwanda was appointed Judge of the East African Court of Justice (Appelate Division) and Lady Justice Monica Mugenyi from Uganda appointed Judge of the East African Court of Justice (First Instance Division). Justice Isaac Lenaola from Kenya was appointed Deputy Principal Judge of the same court.

The summit also received the progress report on the negotiations for the admission of the Republic of South Sudan and Somalia to the Community.

In its communiqué read by the Secretary General Dr. Richard Sezibera, the summit asked its partner states to conclude the ratification process of the East Africa Monetary Union by July 2014. (READ: Uhuru - EAC single currency to strengthen competition)

The summit also directed that the internationalized new generation East African Passport be launched by November 2015.

Also discussed at the summit was the security situation in the region and the need for concerted efforts towards combating terrorism and negative forces in the region.