By Spy Uganda
Yoweri Kaguta Museveni is in Arusha, Tanzania, to participate in the 25th Ordinary Summit of the East African Community (EAC) Heads of State, a high-level meeting aimed at strengthening regional integration and economic cooperation among member states.
The summit is being held under the theme “Deepening Integration for Improved Livelihoods of EAC Citizens.” Regional leaders are expected to review progress on key integration pillars, including trade, infrastructure development, and economic transformation, while exploring new initiatives to improve the livelihoods of citizens across the East African Community.
President Museveni, who arrived in Arusha on Friday, was received by a delegation of Tanzanian and Ugandan officials led by Tanzania’s Minister of Home Affairs, Hon. Patrobas Katambi, and the country’s Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade, Hon. Dennis Londo.
Other officials present included Dr. Samwel Shelukindo, Permanent Secretary in Tanzania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Ambassador Mindi Kasiga; Robert Mbwasi, Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Industry and Trade; Uganda’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs for Regional Affairs, Hon. John Mulimba; Uganda’s High Commissioner to Tanzania, Ambassador Fred Mwesigye; Head of the Uganda Consulate in Arusha, Ambassador Anne Katusiime; and UPDF Defence Advisor Brig. Ronald Bigirwa.
During the summit, President Museveni is expected to assume the one-year rotational chairmanship of the EAC, taking over from William Ruto of Kenya.
Five heads of state from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Somalia and Burundi are attending the summit in person, while representatives from Rwanda, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo are participating on behalf of their respective governments.
The summit will also witness the swearing-in of a new Secretary General of the East African Community, whose five-year term will begin as Kenya’s tenure in the position expires in April. Sources indicate that South Sudan has been cleared to nominate the next holder of the office.
In addition, regional leaders will oversee the swearing-in of two judges appointed to the East African Court of Justice and the launch of the EAC Customs Bond, an initiative aimed at facilitating cross-border trade by eliminating the requirement for multiple transit bonds in each member state.
The new customs bond is expected to significantly reduce paperwork, lower costs, and improve efficiency in the movement of goods across the region. President Museveni’s participation underscores Uganda’s continued commitment to strengthening regional cooperation and advancing the goals of the East African Community.
