Local citizens discuss the East African Community integration

On 16^th November 2012, panelists appeared on HITS FM to discuss the East African Community integration and how it will help the member countries. This was during the ‘Orukurato Program’ a 2hour weekly radio program that discusses issues of accountability every Saturday (08:00 – 10:00pm) that is sponsored by ToroDev. “The East African Community integration will be composed of 6(six) countries which include Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi and South Sudan. All these countries will be politically, socially, and economically united into one country, have one government and one president”, said Lawyer Musana, an Advocate of the high Court.

Lawyer Musana went ahead to indicate the advantages that the six countries are likely to achieve from the integration. “Economically, taxes inform of tariffs on commodities from these countries will be reduced thus cheaper items realized and improved markets. Political stability will also be realized from the unity since we shall be one country with one president”

Leaders during the East African Community summit

The live radio discussion was also attended by Hon. Businge Prosper, a councilor of West Division, Fort Portal Municipality, Kabarole District and Mr. James Bond, a teacher and an expert on governance.

During the discussion, Hon. Businge Prosper highlighted the factors that should be considered by the six countries before forming the integration. “All the six countries should have common challenges, the geographical location should be the same, they should have common political activities/affairs, and the level of preparedness for the integration should also be equal”.

Meanwhile, Mr. James Bond gave some factors that may hinder the integration of the six countries. “Uganda is a ‘no change country’ yet other countries have presidential term limits, Uganda and Kenya are looking at China as an investor yet Tanzania is looking at America, and corruption in Uganda is too high”.  

Local citizens also participated in the live radio discussion through call ins to raise their issues and concerns. “The local people have not been approached about the integration”, said Paul Rubombora, “Leaders are using the integration to seek their own interests rather than the local people’s interests”, said Kaswara, “Leaders have not sensitized the local people about the integration”, said Edward, “Uganda has not reached that level of joining the integration because  our constitution is not streamlined”, said Kyomuhendo, “There are many benefits for joining the integration but our political system is still a challenge”, said Gollar.

The live radio discussion was moderated by Mr. Kasigazi Willy Donanto.