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Mobile money tax registers surplus Shs50b as OTT dwindles

By
Our Reporter
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URA Commissioner General, Doris Akol

Mobile money tax collections in Uganda generated a whooping Shs50 billion surplus in the first half of the financial year 2018/19, further validating the government’s decision to levy the tax Ugandans opposed.

The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) says Shs104.75 billion was collected from mobile money tax in the period between July 2018 and December 2018 against initial target of Shs54 billion.

Vincent Seruma, the URA Assistant Commissioner for public and corporate affairs, attributed the surplus to the fact that mobile money continues to be a routine for many transactions in Uganda thus providing the “base for the proper collection of the levy”.

Initially, the mobile money levy had been implemented at 1 per cent but was in November reviewed by Parliament to 0.5 per cent. However, collections from Over the Top (OTT) tax, also known as social media tax, performed dismally with URA collecting only Shs21.12 billion in the same period against a target of Shs135.21 billion.

The poor performance of OTT, according to Mr. Seruma, was largely because of “the use of alternative means to access social media”.

Such alternatives, he said, included corporate provided Internet or hot spots which are not subjected to OTT and Virtual Private Networks (VPNs). As a result, OTT registered a deficit of Shs114.09 billion for the period running from July to December.

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Former owners NBC demand Shs295b compensation for illegal closure

By
George Mangula
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Former shareholders of National Bank of Commerce.

The former owners of National Bank of Commerce (NBC) on Monday told parliament’s Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) that the Bank of Uganda (BoU) closed their bank illegally and as such demanded that they be paid compensation of
Shs295 billion for loss of business.

The former shareholders who included former Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi were meeting MPs at parliament to give their side of the story. BoU senior officers said last year they closed NBC due to undercapitalization, even though on Thursday former owners told MPs they were in the process to comply with the capital requirement when BoU officials led by Deputy Governor Dr Louise Kasekende, former Executive Director of supervision, Justine Bagyenda and Ben Sekabira,
a senior banking officer then decided to sell the bank to Crane Bank Limited (CBL).

NBC had capacity to meet the necessary capital requirements but was closed, said Matthew Rukikaire, who was presenting defence on behalf of other NBC shareholders. He said NBC was the only bank owned by indigenous people and for that, he said BoU should have taken caution
before closing it.

Rukikaire said BoU failed to play its role of supervision as it should have done. He said BoU even failed to appoint an auditor to take the inventory of NBC assets and liabilities. He also said BoU on failed to make a forensic audit on NBC.

He also wondered why BoU did not present a liquidator’s report even as they had appointed one to supervise the bank after the takeover. He said BoU closed NBC when its assets where more than customers deposits. They said at the closure of the bank, they had invested
US $1.7 billion and US $1.2 billion on the transformation of the headquarters and investment in new technology.

The shareholders in their presentation said that at the closure of NBC, it was making profits and paid dividends and that it had plans to open four more branches in Kampala and other towns in the country.
“BoU did not consider the investments above before closing the bank,” Rukikaire said, continuing that they had also raised some seven billion shillings for investment in treasury bills.

“Ms Justine Bagyenda directed that Shs7 billion be invested in treasury bills, not banking business. Which affected NBC, he said. He said Bagyenda and Sekabira were determined to take NBC out of business. NBC’s land worth Shs400 million was transferred to CBL at
Shs300 million.

NBC was closed on September 27, 2012 due to undercaprtahzation among other reasons. BoU took over the management of NBC in line with section 88(1) (a) and (b) of the Financial Institutions Act 2004 and subsequently placed NBC under liquidation pursuant to section 89 (2) (D & section 99 (1) of the Act. In line with section 95(b) of the Financial Institutions Act 2004, BoU arranged for the Purchase of Assets and Assumption of Labilities of NBC.

NBC was one the seven commercial banks closed by BoU between 1993 and October 2016. The others were Teefe Trust Bank, Greenland Bank, International Credit Bank, Global Trust Bank Uganda, Cooperative Bank and CBL.

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MP who encouraged men to beat their wives, weds

By
Geoffery Serugo
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Kakumiro County Member of Parliament who recently encouraged men to beat their wives as a form of punishment, is off the hook after wedding Ms. Kyarikunda Florence.

The wedding took place at Damasiko Parish Church of Uganda in Kyekado village, Kakumiro district superintended by the arch Archbishop of Church Uganda the Rt Rev. Stanley Ntagali. The function was graced by the Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga, State Minister of Finance David Bahati who was also the best man, Robina Nabbanja, Mwine Mpaka among other legislators.

In March last year, MP Onesmus Twinamasiko who has vowed to live with Florence, protect her said slapping women should be used as a form of punishment within a marriage. “You need to, you know, touch her a bit and you tackle her and you beat her somehow to really, you know, streamline her, he said at parliament.

Mr. Twinamasiko came few days after President Yoweri Museveni had condemned domestic violence as after the country joined the rest of the world to mark International Women’s Day.

He said the president actually, “I think, erred somehow,” Twinamasiko, who oversees Kakumiro County told the press at parliament.

His statement however drew criticisms from women activists, legislators, and civil society organisations calling (CSO) him to resign his position a member of parliament and apologize to all women in the Country.

The MP however, apologized saying, for the avoidance of doubt, may I at the onset affirm my highest respect for the dignity of women and my under wavering in the inviolability of women I actually detest all forms of violence against women.

“Kindly accept my sincere and unreserved apologies honorable members and the general public, particularly women. This apology is unconditional, I celebrate women who are the pillars of our society and the custodian of our national our national cohesion and together.” he said during the plenary.

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UPL: KCCA FC host Onduparaka in match day 17

By
Our Reporter
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Allan Okello scores in the first round aganist Onduparaka

KCCA FC will host Onduparaka this Tuesday in a fixture that has always proved to be one of the best in the league but undoubtedly one of the difficult ones for the Caterpillars as they have never picked points in.

The away performance over the weekend, collecting their first point against Bright Stars at the dreaded Champions Stadium, Mwerere is something that will keenly be looked at against KCCA this Tuesday as they hope to break the Lugogo jinx.

The caterpillars find themselves 12 Points behind the league leaders KCCA and 2 behind the top four in 6th Position. A win against KCCA will reduce the point gap to 9 and push Onduparaka back to the top four as they fight hard to displace the other teams that will lay ahead of them.

KCCA hasn’t won in their last 3 games while Onduparaka has won once in the same number of games in all competitions. Both sides come into this league fixture wounded and expecting to better these recent performances.

Both teams will be without their first team coaches. KCCA’s Mike Mutebi will not be on the touchline as he continues to serve his ban while Onduparaka will rely on the services of Simeon Masaba.

Express hosts Police today at Mutesa II stadium, Wankulukuku with both sides seeking to return to winning ways.

The two teams lost their last league outing with Express falling 1-0 away to Toro United while Police were stunned by Nyamityobora with a 4-1 home defeat.

The Red Eagles will miss the services of striker Eric Kambale who is out injured and in his absence, both Brian Umony and Tony Odur could all start upfront.

Police’s Juma Balinya with 9 goals so far this season will be the main for Abdallah Mubiru side. Last season, the Cops won this fixture 1-0 courtesy of Hood Kaweesa header.

Elsewhere, on Tuesday, Maroons will host Mbarara City FC in Luzira, Tooro United will travel to Jinja to take on Kirinya Jinja SSS while Nyamityobora will host title challengers Vipers SC at Kakyeka stadium in Mbarara.

Relegation-threatened Paidha Black Angels will be at the Green Light stadium hosting BUL, Ndejje University will host the tax collectors at Arena of Visions in Bombo.

SC Villa will take on Bright Stars FC at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole on Wednesday.

KCCA still lead the table with 37 points from 16 games played so far, 3 ahead of second-placed Vipers. Nyamityobora, Ndejje University and Paidha Black Angels are in the relegation zone with 12, 10 and 8 points respectively.

There will be three live games in this round of the Uganda Premier League.

The league is expected to end on May 4th, 2019 to give ample time for the Uganda Cranes to prepare for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.

Matchday 17 fixtures:

Monday 4th February

Express Fc Vs Police Fc – Muteesa Ii Stadium, Wankulukuku – Live

Tuesday 5th February

KCCA FC Vs Onduparaka FC – Startimes Stadium, Lugogo – Live

Maroons FC Vs Mbarara City FC – Luzira Prisons Grounds

Kirinya Jinja Sss FC Vs Tooro United FC – The Mighty Arena, Jinja Sss

Nyamityobora FC Vs Vipers SC – Kakyeka Stadium, Mbarara

Paidha Black Angels SC Vs Bul FC – Green Light Stadium, Arua

Ndejje University FC Vs Ura FC – Arena Of Visions, Ndejje University, Bombo

Wednesday 6th February

SC Villa Vs Bright Stars FC – Mandela National Stadium, Namboole – Live

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MPs worry of oil production extension

By
Our Reporter
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Parliament of Uganda

Members of Parliament (MPs) led by the speaker, Rebecca Kadaga are worried about government’s extension of the first oil production from 2020 to 2022 which was a result as lead investor companies CNOOC and Total E&P Uganda failed to make the final investment decision.

The legislators raised the concerns during a workshop organised by the Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU) and the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development on the current developments in the oil and gas sector in Uganda on Friday, 01 February 2018 at the Lake Victoria Serena in Kigo.

Kadaga said that the first oil timelines has been extended for too long and this time it should be met.
“There has been an information gap concerning what has been happening in the oil and gas sector and the government has been moving the year for oil production commencement,” she said.

Bunyole West MP, James Waluswaka, wondered whether the intentions behind the extension of the date of first production were not deliberate.

“I am worried that this might be a deliberate effort by some stakeholders in the sector to politically disenfranchise the fountain of honour who has been promising us oil for some time now,” he said.

Nakasongola District Woman MP, Margaret Komuhangi demanded for the exact timelines of the establishment of the oil refinery in Hoima District.

“We have been hearing the expected dates of oil production but we will also want to know when the oil refinery will be operational because it is an important piece of infrastructure in this process,” she said.

The government however, came out to clarify on the extended timelines of oil production in the Albertine region.

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, Robert Kasande said that oil exploration and production processes are determined by varying factors.

“We thought we would produce earlier when he had only found 300 million barrels but we found 1.4 billion barrels of recoverable oil forcing us back to the drawing board to plan for efficient production of the oil,” he said.

Kasande added that the country is also affected by being landlocked with no oil and gas infrastructure. He called for more substantial infrastructure for production, refining and transportation of the oil. “We had to involve Kenya and Tanzania who have promised to invest in the pipeline and these agreements took time as well,” Kasande added.

Mr Hans Christopher, from Norway’s NORAD explained that the revision of timelines for oil production has not only happened in Uganda. This, he said, gives the country time to plan better, and understand the technical nature of the oil fields before production.

However, the PAU Executive Director, Ernest Rubondo said that more emphasis should be put on the efficient execution of the processes supporting the oil production than the first oil timeline.

“The focus is ensuring that all necessary infrastructures are put in place to facilitate oil production, all stakeholders in other sectors are in involved in the petroleum development process and the interests of the government are protected,” Rubondo said.
This he added, is important because Ugandans must prepare to retain a significant portion of the US$20 billion investment required in to develop the facilities required to produce the oil.

Currently, there are two projects under the supervision of PAU called Tilenga and Kingfisher with the ability to produce 40,000 and 190,000 barrels of oil respectively. Tilenga is operated by Total E&P Uganda while Kingfisher is operated by CNOOC Uganda.

There is a planned construction of an oil refinery, Kabaale industrial park International Airport in Hoima District. A 1445 kilometre oil pipeline will be constructed from Hoima to Tanga in Tanzania to carry crude oil for exportation. Government’s commercial interests in these projects are managed by the Uganda National Oil Company.

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EAC Partner States approve individual trade deals with EU

By
Our Reporter
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EAC countries

East African Community (EAC) Partner States can individually sign separate trade agreements with the European Union (EU) if a joint deal is not reached within the next four months, according to the 20th Ordinary Summit of Heads of State of the East African Community Joint Communiqué

EAC and the EU have been in disagreements for years over signing the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), designed to replace preferential trade deals laid down by the World Trade Organization.

The leaders meeting a Summit yesterday decided that the EAC engages the EU on the matter in the next four months to get more clarification on the pertinent issues of concern. They said partner states that wish to, may or may not sign the EPA.

The decision was reached at the summit attended by Tanzania’s President John Magufuli, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, Rwanda President Paul Kagame and Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Kenya and Rwanda signed the agreement in 2016 but it needs approval from all other members of the EAC bloc – Uganda, Tanzania, South Sudan and Burundi – to take effect.

At the summit, Museveni handed over the rotating chairmanship of the EAC to Kagame, who is also the current chairman of the African Union.

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Ethiopian takes over from Uganda’s Gen. Oweyesigire at the helm of AMISOM military

By
Our Reporter
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Lt. Gen. Tigabu Yilma Wondimhunegn, the new AMISOM Force Commander.

The African Union Mission in Somalia has a new Force Commander. Lt. Gen. Tigabu Yilma Wondimhunegn from Ethiopia, took up office today, from Lt. Gen. Jim Beesigye Owoyesigire, who has served in that capacity since January 2018.

The handover of instruments of power between the outgoing and incoming Force Commanders was presided over by Francisco Caetano Madeira, the Special Representative of the African Union Commission Chairperson for Somalia (SRCC), who is also the Head of AMISOM.

“There is work to be done,” Ambassador Madeira told Gen. Tigabu during the handover ceremony. “The task ahead is enormous, but I am very confident that you can do it,” he added while commending Gen. Owoyesigire for “sharing all his knowledge” to push forward AMISOM’s mandate. He described the outgoing Force Commander as an “extraordinary officer”.

Gen. Tigabu has 34-years experience in the military and has served the Ethiopia National Defence Forces (ENDF) in several capacities, including as Division, Brigade, Battalion, and Company Commander.

“This Mission is a challenging one, but we are up to the task,” the incoming Force Commander made an assurance while assuming office.

Prior to his appointment, he served as a member of the Defence Council and Head of Defence Logistics Main Department, where he was instrumental in planning, delivery, generation and integration of the Defence Capability, among others. He holds a Masters degree in Business Administration, a degree in Leadership and Military Science and a Diploma in Law.

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URA busts major ivory and pangolin scales smuggling racket at Elegu border post

By
Geoffery Serugo
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Elephant trucks

Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) uncovered a major regional poaching racket where foreigners are involved.

Officers at the Elegu Uganda–South Sudan border crossing have discovered and impounded over 2,000 pieces of ivory and Pangolin scales in three containers concealed in logs of wood and wax, in transit from the Democratic Republic of Congo to Asia.

Two Vietnam nationals – Dhan Yan Chiew and Nguyen Son Dong, were found in possession of the exhibits and have been detained, for smuggling hundreds of ivory pieces and thousands of pangolin scales disguised as timber, and for being found in possession of prohibited trade items.

Currently, 750 pieces of ivory and thousands of pangolin scales had been verified at the URA’s new headquarters in Kampala, where the items had been transferred to. The process is still underway.

The scale of the haul is huge, as for 750 pieces of ivory to be amassed, 325 elephants will have been killed.

It was not known for how long this smuggling racket has been taking place via that particular border point. A kilogram of the poached items costs well over $1000 in Asia.

Some 30,000 African elephants are believed to be illegally killed each year for their ivory tusks, mainly to satisfy demand in the Asian market for products coveted as a traditional medicine or as status symbols. Uganda is a key transit country for the illegal trade, especially from Congo’s huge forests.

The trade is estimated to be worth $600 million annually.

According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the African elephant population recorded its biggest drop in a quarter century in 2016, with an estimated population of 415,000 elephants, 111,000 fewer than a decade ago.

Commissioner Customs Dicksons Collins Kateshumbwa showed journalists the items and praised the Non-Intrusive Inspection (NII) technology they have that now enables the officers to accurately detect contrabands and trade fraud such as concealment, mis-declaration and under-declaration.

“This revelation should sound as a warning to all involved in smuggling of any nature, that the Ugandan borders are becoming increasingly impenetrable thanks to NII Tech,” Kateshumbwa said.

“URA, Uganda Wildlife Authority and Police are collaborating with all other agencies involved to ensure that we get to the bottom of this racket and to ensure that the perpetrators face the full arm of the law in the name of protecting African Wildlife.”

The Elegu One Stop Post, built at a cost of $10 million, is a major entry and exit point for traffic and cargo at the border of Uganda and South Sudan. The new URA facility at this crossing, only opened last year.

Uganda Wildlife Authority were one of the first agencies to congratulate URA. “Good job @URAuganda together we fight illegal #wildlife trade,” they said on twitter.

Elephants are one of the most poached mammals the world over for their tusks but Pangolins (known as Olugave in central Uganda) are coveted even more for their scales.

How the smugglers did it

With a master carpenter in on the plan, the racket masterminded an operation that killed many elephants and pangolin across Africa.

A collection center suspected to be in DR Congo is where the racket packed the ivory and scales into well joined logs of wood.

The racket poured molten wax into hollow plunks of wood and dipped hundreds of ivory and pangolin scales into the wax.

They covered the hollow plunks with well-shaped pieces of wood lids. They used saw dust to cover lines where lids joined the hollow plunks.

The suspects

How URA uncovered them

Basing on intel gathered about suspicious cargo in the containers, the customs team covertly tailed the three vehicles as they snaked their way across Uganda.

The team then moved in on the cars at an ICD to verify the suspicions. Into play came the new mobile Non-Intrusive Inspection scanner.

The mobile Non-Intrusive Inspection scanner confirmed something unusual tucked away in a trio of 20 feet containers which crossed from South Sudan into Uganda carrying logs of timber. Timber was the declared item in transit but the scanner showed more.

Customs immediately impounded the 3 containers and arrested two suspects

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AfDB to present 2019 AEO at 32nd AU Summit

By
Our Reporter
-

The African Development Bank will present the 2019 edition of its flagship African Economic Outlook (AEO) report on the sidelines of the 32nd Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Friday, 8 February 2019, at 8.30 am.

The theme for this year’s African Economic Outlook is “Integration for Africa’s Economic Prosperity.” The annual report highlights economic prospects and projections for the continent as a whole and for each of the 54 countries. It offers short- and medium-term forecasts on the main socio-economic factors, while at the same time examining the challenges and progress.

The report is the result of the work and analysis of the Bank’s economic experts. It is a tool for policymakers, academics, investors, development and financial industry professionals and the press, and is widely used to inform policy dialogue and enhance operational efficiency of institutions.

The 2019 AEO was officially launched at the Bank’s Headquarters in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire on 17 January 2019. The Addis Ababa presentation will be followed by a press conference.

The African Economic Outlook 2019 is available in English, French and Portuguese.

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Museveni to guide drafting of EAC Political Federation constitution

By
Isaiah Mwebaze
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President Museveni

President Yoweri Museveni shall provide political guidance to the experts who have been selected to draft the East African Community (EAC) Political Federation Constitution, according to the 20th Ordinary Summit of Heads of State of the EAC Joint Communiqué.

The EAC Heads of State made the decision during the Summit held in Arusha Tanzania on Friday. The leaders in attendance were; Presidents Yoweri Kaguta Museveni of Uganda; Paul Kagame of Rwanda; Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya; john Pombe joseph Magufuli of Tanzania. Other representatives were; Gaston Sindimwo, 1st vice president, representing president Pierre Nkurunziza of Burundi; and Paul Moyom Akec, minister of trade, industry and EAC Affairs, representing President Salva Kiir Mayardit of south Sudan.

“The Summit received a report of the council that all partner states had nominated constitutional experts to work on the constitution of the political confederation. The summit directed the council to cause the experts to provide a preliminary report within seven months. The summit decided that president Yoweri Kaguta Museveni shall provide political guidance to the exercise,” the communique reads in part.

There were no reasons given in the Communique as to why Museveni was chosen by his EAC Partner States counterparts to provide political guidance on the EAC Political Federation Constitution whose preliminary report is expected in seven months.

However, some regional political analysts Eagle Online talked to establish the reasons that could have made Museveni to be chosen for the above role, said his political experience of the region right from his youthful days could have played a big role. “There is no any other political leader in EAC right now who understands the politics of the region than Museveni,” a senior politician said.

Another one added: “Museveni is number protagonist of the EAC Political Federation which could have caused his counterparts to ask him do that job. Remember he is also the long serving Head of State in East Africa, having captured power in 1986 through force of arms.” He added that Museveni is also friendly to former EAC leaders such as Daniel Arab Moi, Mwai Kibaki, Hassan Mwinyi, Benjamin Mkapa, Jakaya Kikwete, who continue to play a big role in EAC even as they are retired. “Museveni can easily consult with these former presidents,” he said.

However an opposition politician in Uganda said it was wrong for the EAC leaders to choose Museveni for this role, saying that the oldest leader in EAC has tampered with the Ugandan constitution to benefit himself by way of supporting his National Resistance Movement (NRM) to remove age and terms limits, allowing him to contest for the presidency as long as he can live. “Museveni also has state resources at his disposal and no one can dislodge him from the presidency via elections,” he said. EAC’s big economies of Kenya and Tanzania have term limits and are doing better than us Ugandans. “I hope they will keep a sharp eye on Museveni as he guides the experts to write the EAC Political Federation,” he said.

A cabinet minister on the other hand said Museveni is a Pan Africanist who can guide on the drafting of the EAC Political Federation Constitution. “I am sure he will do a good job given that he has on the region,” he said, adding that Museveni would like to die after realising his dream of EAC Political Federation.

Below is a communique in full

20th Ordinary Summit of Heads of State of the East African Community Joint Communiqué

1. THE EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY HEADS OF STATE, THEIR EXCELLENCIES PRESIDENT YOWERI KAGUTA MUSEVENI OF THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA; PRESIDENT PAUL KAGAME OF THE REPUBLIC OF RWANDA; PRESIDENT UHURU KENYATTA OF THE REPUBLIC OF KENYA; PRESIDENT DR. JOHN POMBE JOSEPH MAGUFULI OF THE UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA; H. E. GASTON SINDIMWO, 1ST VICE PRESIDENT, REPRESENTING PRESIDENT PIERRE NKURUNZIZA OF THE REPUBLIC OF BURUNDI; AND HON. PAUL MOYOM AKEC, MINISTER OF TRADE, INDUSTRY AND EAC AFFAIRS REPRESENTING PRESIDENT SALVA KIIR MAYARDIT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH SUDAN; HELD THE 20TH ORDINARY SUMMIT OF THE EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY HEADS OF STATE AT THE ARUSHA INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE CENTRE, IN THE UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA, ON 1ST FEBRUARY, 2019. THE HEADS OF STATE MET IN A WARM AND CORDIAL ATMOSPHERE.

2. THE SUMMIT RECEIVED THE REPORT OF THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS COVERING THE PERIOD 23RD FEBRUARY, 2018 TO 31ST JANUARY, 2019 AND COMMENDED THE COUNCIL FOR THE PROGRESS MADE IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROGRAMMES AND PROJECTS OF THE COMMUNITY.

3. THE SUMMIT CONSIDERED A REPORT OF THE COUNCIL ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PREVIOUS DIRECTIVES AND DECISIONS OF THE SUMMIT AND DIRECTED THE COUNCIL TO IMPLEMENT ALL OUTSTANDING DIRECTIVES AND DECISIONS AND REPORT TO THE 21ST

4. THE SUMMIT RECEIVED A REPORT ON THE STATUS OF RATIFICATION OF PROTOCOLS AND DIRECTED PARTNER STATES TO RATIFY ALL OUTSTANDING PROTOCOLS AND THE COUNCIL TO REPORT TO THE 21ST

5. THE SUMMIT NOTED THE STATUS OF RESOLUTION OF LONG OUTSTANDING NON-TARIFF BARRIERS AND DIRECTED PARTNER STATES AND THE COUNCIL TO RESOLVE THEM.

6. THE SUMMIT RECEIVED A REPORT OF THE COUNCIL THAT ALL PARTNER STATES HAD NOMINATED CONSTITUTIONAL EXPERTS TO WORK ON THE CONSTITUTION OF THE POLITICAL CONFEDERATION. THE SUMMIT DIRECTED THE COUNCIL TO CAUSE THE EXPERTS TO PROVIDE A PRELIMINARY REPORT WITHIN SEVEN MONTHS. THE SUMMIT DECIDED THAT PRESIDENT YOWERI KAGUTA MUSEVENI SHALL PROVIDE POLITICAL GUIDANCE TO THE EXERCISE.

7. THE SUMMIT RECEIVED A PROGRESS REPORT ON THE REVIEW OF THE EAST AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK (EADB) CHARTER TO STREAMLINE IT INTO THE EAC MAINSTREAM. THE SUMMIT DIRECTED THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS TO EXPEDITE THE PROCESS.

8. THE SUMMIT CONSIDERED A REPORT ON THE ROADMAP FOR THE ACCELERATED INTEGRATION OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH SUDAN INTO THE EAC AND DIRECTED THE COUNCIL TO CONCLUDE THE PROCESS.

9. THE SUMMIT RECEIVED A PROGRESS REPORT THAT THE VERIFICATION EXERCISE FOR THE ADMISSION OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF SOMALIA INTO THE EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY HAD NOT BEEN UNDERTAKEN. THE SUMMIT DIRECTED THE COUNCIL TO FOLLOW UP ON THE MATTER AND REPORT TO THE 21ST

10. THE SUMMIT CONSIDERED A REPORT ON THE MODALITIES FOR THE PROMOTION OF MOTOR VEHICLE ASSEMBLY IN THE REGION AIMED AT REDUCING THE IMPORTATION OF USED MOTOR VEHICLES FROM OUTSIDE THE COMMUNITY, AND DIRECTED THE COUNCIL TO FOLLOW UP THE MATTER AND REPORT TO THE 21ST

11. THE SUMMIT RECEIVED A REPORT ON THE REVIEW OF THE TEXTILE AND LEATHER SECTOR IN EAST AFRICA WITH A VIEW TO DEVELOPING A STRONG AND COMPETITIVE SECTOR THAT GIVES CONSUMERS BETTER CHOICES THAN IMPORTED TEXTILES AND FOOTWEAR. THE SUMMIT DIRECTED THE COUNCIL TO CONCLUDE THE MATTER AND REPORT TO THE 21ST

12. THE SUMMIT RECALLED ITS DIRECTIVE OF HAVING TWO DEPUTY SECRETARIES GENERAL AT THE EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY RECRUITED COMPETITIVELY ON A ROTATIONAL BASIS AND DECIDED THAT THE DEPUTY SECRETARY GENERAL FROM THE UNITED REPUPLIC OF TANZANIA AND THE DEPUTY SECRETARY GENERAL FROM THE REPUBLIC OF RWANDA SHALL SERVE THEIR RESPECTIVE TWO TERMS IN OFFICE.

13. THE SUMMIT RECEIVED A PROGRESS REPORT FROM H.E. PRESIDENT YOWERI KAGUTA MUSEVENI, ON THE EU-EAC ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT (EPA) AND DECIDED THAT THE EAC ENGAGES THE EU ON THE MATTER IN THE NEXT FOUR MONTHS TO GET MORE CLARIFICATION ON THE PERTINENT ISSUES OF CONCERN. THEREAFTER, PARTNER STATES WHO WISH TO, MAY OR MAY NOT SIGN THE EPA.

14. THE SUMMIT ASSENTED TO THE EAC OATHS BILL, 2018; THE EAC MONETARY INSTITUTE BILL, 2018; AND THE EAC SUPPLEMENTARY APPROPRIATION BILL, 2018.

15. THE SUMMIT RECEIVED A REPORT ON THE FINANCIAL STATUS OF THE EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY AND DIRECTED PARTNER STATES TO FULFILL THEIR FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS TO THE COMMUNITY IN A TIMELY MANNER.

16. THE SUMMIT ENDORSED THE REPUBLIC OF KENYA’S CANDIDATURE FOR THE NON-PERMANENT MEMBERSHIP OF THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL (UNSC) FOR A TWO-YEAR TERM FOR THE PERIOD 2021-2022.

17. THE SUMMIT, PURSUANT TO ARTICLE 24 (1) OF THE TREATY FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY, APPOINTED HON. LADY JUSTICE SAUDA MJASIRI AS JUDGE TO THE APPELLATE DIVISION OF THE EAST AFRICAN COURT OF JUSTICE WITH EFFECT FROM 13TH FEBRUARY, 2019. THE HONOURABLE LADY JUSTICE SAUDA MJASIRI REPLACES HON. JUSTICE EDWARD M. K. RUTAKANGWA WHO WILL BE RETIRING ON 12THFEBRUARY, 2019. THE SUMMIT COMMENDED HON. JUSTICE EDWARD M. K. RUTAKANGWA FOR HIS DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY.

18. THE SUMMIT PRESENTED AWARDS TO THE WINNERS OF THE EAC STUDENTS ESSAY WRITING COMPETITION, 2017 AND 2018 EDITIONS RESPECTIVELY.

19. THE SUMMIT DIRECTED THE COUNCIL WITHIN THREE MONTHS TO REVIEW THE RELEVANT POLICIES AND HARMONISE THE FRAMEWORK FOR IMPORTATION OF GOODS INTO THE EAC WITH A VIEW TO SUPPORTING THE GROWTH OF LOCAL INDUSTRIES.

20. HIS EXCELLENCY PRESIDENT YOWERI KAGUTA MUSEVENI HANDED OVER THE CHAIRMANSHIP TO HIS EXCELLENCY PRESIDENT PAUL KAGAME. THE UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA TOOK OVER AS RAPPORTEUR FROM THE REPUBLIC OF RWANDA. THE SUMMIT THANKED HIS EXCELLENCY PRESIDENT YOWERI KAGUTA MUSEVENI FOR ABLY STEERING THE AFFAIRS OF THE COMMUNITY DURING HIS TENURE.

21. THE SUMMIT RECEIVED A REPORT FROM THE FACILITATOR OF THE INTER-BURUNDI DIALOGUE HIS EXCELLENCY BENJAMIN MKAPA, FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA. THE SUMMIT THANKED THE FACILITATOR FOR HIS CONTRIBUTION TO THE DIALOGUE DURING HIS TENURE. THE SUMMIT DECIDED TO CONSULT FURTHER ON THE INTER-BURUNDI DIALOGUE PROCESS.

22. THEIR EXCELLENCIES PRESIDENT YOWERI KAGUTA MUSEVENI OF THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA; PRESIDENT PAUL KAGAME OF THE REPUBLIC OF RWANDA, PRESIDENT UHURU KENYATTA OF THE REPUBLIC OF KENYA; H. E. GASTON SINDIMWO 1ST VICE PRESIDENT REPRESENTING PRESIDENT PIERRE NKURUNZIZA OF THE REPUBLIC OF BURUNDI AND; HON. PAUL MOYOM AKEC MINISTER OF TRADE, INDUSTRY AND EAC AFFAIRS REPRESENTING PRESIDENT SALVA KIIR MAYARDIT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH, THANKED THEIR HOST, PRESIDENT DR. JOHN POMBE JOSEPH MAGUFULI, OF THE UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA, FOR THE WARM HOSPITALITY EXTENDED TO THEM AND THEIR DELEGATIONS DURING THEIR STAY IN ARUSHA.

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