Kadaga tells EALA to fast track monetary union
Ms Kadaga
PARLIAMENT- Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga has challenged the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) to expedite the total attainment of the common market protocol and the monetary union.
Ms Kadaga was yesterday speaking at the opening of the second meeting of the Assembly’s first session at Parliament in Kampala.
“There is an expectation that the monetary union will be in place by 2024 and I know we can make this region a leading economic power of integration,” she said.
She added: “I know that other regional blocs are ahead of us; ECOWAS has gone quite very far in establishing a number of institutions. I hope we can also rise to the expectation.”
Ms Kadaga also implored members to foster unity through consensus, which she said is key to the provision oversight and allocate appropriate budget for the region.
EALA will hold its plenary in Kampala through January to February 9.
President Museveni, the chair of the Summit of EAC Heads of State, is today expected to address the Assembly in the Chambers of Parliament.
Among the issues to discuss include three key Bills; the EAC Oaths Bill 2017, the EAC Statistics Bureau Bill 2017 and the EAC Monetary Institute Bill 2017.
Mr Martin Ngoga, the current Speaker of the Assembly, pledged to work with humility and tolerance.
“I shall serve you and the entire assembly with dedication and commitment,” he said.
Mr Ngoga added: “It is paramount that we forge together in teamwork and unity as we strengthen both EALA and our communities.”
All the five EALA Members of Burundi were present despite their earlier disagreement on the election of Mr Ngoga from Rwanda.
