The East African Community has suspended with immediate effect all meetings due to the novel coronavirus outbreak.

In a letter to EAC Partner States Permanent/Principal/Under Secretaries dated March 16,2020, EAC Secretary General  Liberat Mfumukeko says that the community had noted with concern that the virus continues to spread across the entire globe with increasing speed to a number of African countries.

Mfumukeko’s letter was written in response to a request by Vincent Biruta, the Chairperson of the EAC Council of Ministers, who in a letter to the Secretary General dated March 12, 2020, asked the Secretariat to do three things: To postpone the 21st EAC Summit until further notice; To hold all scheduled meetings by Video conference, where possible, and; To postpone and suspend all other meetings and activities that require large gatherings.

“Given the nature of EAC work which involves travel, and the mode of delivery through meetings, conferences, there is ample evidence that such gatherings can increase the risk of transmission of infectious diseases including COVID-19,” says Amb. Mfumukeko, adding that the EAC Secretariat would take various measures to prevent any risk of importation/contracting of the virus.

“All EAC meetings (statutory and otherwise) for all Organs, Institutions and Project Implementation Units are suspended until further notice. We are also suspending all rental and use of EAC facilities. Organisers of meetings will use Video Conferencing or other available virtual facilities as much as possible,” added the SG.

“All international meetings and conferences with delegates from countries at high risk of COVID-19 are suspended until further notice,” says the SG, adding that the WHO provides the list of high risk countries on its website on a regular basis.

“Critical or essential meetings, more particularly those related to health or security engagements, shall be allowed through a written waiver after assessment and approval by management, and will be organised in accordance with health guidelines issued by the respective EAC Partner States,” says  Mfumukeko.

Also discouraged according to the letter is non-essential personal travel or local travel.

“We, however, urge all travelers to carefully consider their intended destinations for personal trips and strictly adhere to quarantine measures required by the EAC national authorities upon return as guided by the WHO.”

All EAC Organs and Institutions are urged to observe and adhere to the Africa Centres for Disease Control Guidance on Community Social Distancing during the COVID-19 Outbreak with Partner States being called upon to do likewise.

So far, three EAC Partner States have reported cases of the coronavirus with Kenya having confirmed three cases, Rwanda and Tanzania. Two countries neighbouring the EAC, namely the Democratic Republic of Congo and Somalia have each confirmed one case.

In an email to all staff, EAC Secretary General Libérat Mfumukeko said that this had been done to give staff time to detect any symptoms in case of exposure to the virus and also to reduce risk of spread of the disease.

“Any staff member who notices any symptoms related to the disease should call the Human Resource Office and report to the nearest medical facility to get assistance for testing/confirmation and subsequent treatment,” said the SG.

All staff are encouraged to be vigilant, follow the recommended hygiene including washing of hands with soap and water, and sanitizing one’s hands among other things,” he added.

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Opposition Party, Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) wants a panel to select officials to serve in the Electoral Commission (EC).

The party president, Patrick Amuriat Oboi who was flanked by the Leader of Opposition in Parliament, Betty Aol Ocan and his Advisor, Wafula Oguttu made the proposal while presenting their views on the Constitutional (Amendment) Bill, 2019 before the committee on Legal and Parliamentary Affairs on February 18, 2020.

Amuriat proposed an insertion immediately after article 60(A) to provide for a National Selection Panel.

According to the party’s proposal, the Selection Panel will comprise three commissioners from public service and two Supreme Court judges which shall invite applications and publish names of all applicants.

“The panel shall by notice in both print and electronic media circulate an expression of interest by suitable Ugandans to serve on the EC and other bodies as will be prescribed by this constitution,” Amuriat said.

He added that after conducting interviews, the panel will select three persons qualified to be appointed as chairperson and ten persons qualified to be appointed as members of the EC forwarded to the president for nomination of one person for appointment as a chairperson, one vice chairperson and five persons for appointment as members.

“The president is then required to forward the list to parliament for approval. Upon consideration and approval, parliament forwards the names to the president for appointment,” he said.

He said because of the importance of the EC and the attendant abuse of power, Ugandans think it wise to remove its appointment from the mainstream government and allocate it to an independent body that will not be under the general direction of formal government actors.

“The president who wields power around him directs what should be done in nearly every sector of the state on the basis of political convenience regardless of how unprofessional or what adverse effects such action would have,” he said.

Amuriat also proposes that the  selection committee appoints the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the Deputy with the approval of parliament.

“The Inspector General and Deputy Inspector General of Police may be removed from office by parliament,” he said.

Amuriat also  proposed a change to the title of Leader of the Opposition to Leader of the Minority arguing that this will cater for situations where the party in government has less numerical strength compared to the party in opposition.

Mwenge County South MP Aston Kajara said that creating a selection panel contravenes Articles 98 and 99 of the constitution which give the president, executive authority as the head of state.

“This selection panel will usurp the powers of the head of state who is supposed to exercise that power ,” he said.

Wilfred Niwagaba  questioned where the offices of the selection panel would be located.

“I am impressed with the idea of a selection panel but I will need to know whether it will not be looked as an independent entity of these particular commissions,” he said

Paul Mwiru (FDC, Jinja Municipality East) warned against giving parliament the mandate to remove the IGP and their Deputy from office, saying that parliament is a political institution and as such, decisions taken by MPs are politically influenced.

The Constitutional (Amendment) Bill, 2019 is a Private Member’s Bill, moved by Wilfred Niwagaba. The object of the Bill is to provide for the involvement of the Judicial Service Commission in the appointment of members of the EC, remove representation of army from parliament, and provide for Speaker’s panel. The Bill also seeks to restrict presidential term to two terms only and replace the office of Vice President with the office of Deputy President and provide for his or her election.

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The Archbishop of Church of Uganda, Stephen Kaziimba Magalu has advised christians to make use of their homes saying they are the ideal place for Sunday worship to take place. He says some cells may need to sub-divide  so that they are not more than 10 people.

“Following the decision that was made by the president, this will have a big impact on how we live and worship as christians for the next few weeks, and I want to provide some additional guidance to what our president has shared.” Archbishop Kaziimba said.

He says that while it will be very difficult for the christians not to gather together, the Church of Uganda stands with the decision because it will help save lives.

Kaziimba says that christians and as the Church, they value life and support all efforts to promote life. Jesus said, “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

“In my charge I encouraged the Church to develop new tools for ministry and outreach, including radio, television, and social media. I never expected the need for these new tools to come so quickly but, here we are.” Kaziimba encourages.

Archbishop Kazimba quoted the Bible where it says when two or three are gathered in Jesus’ name, there he is among them.” (Matthew 18.18) people have asked me,

“If we can’t meet for worship in Church on Sundays and mid-week, how will we have Church?” says Kaziimba.

He says some cells may need to sub-divide so they are not more than 10 people but, Sunday worship can take place in home cells, observing, of course, the appropriate behaviors of not shaking hands or hugging and keeping at least one meter of distance between you and others.

“I am calling on all husbands and fathers to step up and take responsibility for leading your families in daily home prayers and in Sunday worship. The Family is the smallest Church, and every home needs its “Family Altar.” He called.

He says that some Churches have developed the capacity for online streaming of worship services, and calls on them to expand that capacity for also broadcasting services without the presence of a congregation.

“Please also share with your diocese and the provincial office the times and online address for these broadcasts, so others can benefit.” Archbishop asked.

He asked all bishops to develop “Radio Church,” and asking all radio stations to collaborate with the church under these extraordinary circumstances and provide airtime on Sunday mornings to broadcast local language worship services into every home.

Archbishop also encouraged all bishops to link with local TV stations for ways to broadcast a local language Sunday service through television.

He as well emphasized how this situation reminds them of their great need for a Church TV station, as I identified in my Charge, and I hope we will now understand the urgency for it.

“I will be recording a daily devotion to be circulated on social media and I encourage you to access the devotion through the Church of Uganda’s Facebook page and Twitter accounts, please use it with your family and home cells” he promised.

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