EAC ELECTION OBSERVATION MISSION TO THE 2016 GENERAL ELECTIONS IN THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA
EAC ELECTION OBSERVATION MISSION TO THE 2016 GENERAL ELECTIONS IN THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA
LAUNCH STATEMENT BY HIS EXCELLENCY ALI HASSAN MWINYI, RETIRED PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA AND HEAD OF THE EAC ELECTION OBSERVATION MISSION
Your Excellency Dr. Richard SEZIBERA - Secretary General of the East African Community;
Honorable Minister of EAC Affairs of the Republic of Uganda;
Honorable Members of the East African Legislative Assembly;
Experts from the Partner States;
Participants from Civil Society;
Staff from the EAC Secretariat;
Stakeholders from the press;
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Secretary General, let me to join you and your staff in mourning the sudden demise of Ms Isabelle Waffubwa, who had been a visible feature in the promotion of Democratic processes in the region. May her soul rest in eternal peace.
Ladies and Gentlemen
It is my honour and pleasure to announce to the people of the Republic of Uganda about the arrival of the East African Community (EAC) Election Observation Mission (EOM) to 18 February 2016 general elections in the Republic of Uganda. The Mission is in the country following the invitation by the Government of the Republic of Uganda and in fulfillment of the relevant provisions of the Treaty. It comprises 50 short-term observers drawn from the East African Legislative Assembly, national Human Rights Commissions, Electoral Management Bodies, Civil Society, EAC Youth Ambassadors and Officers from EAC Secretariat.
Ladies and gentlemen,
The EAC Election Observation Mission arrived in Kampala on 7 February 2016 and will remain in the country until 21 February 2016. It was preceded by a team of election experts from the EAC Partner States who arrived on 30 January 2016. The Mission will observe the concluding stages of the campaign process and engage with various stakeholders as well as observe the voting and counting processes on 18 February 2016.
In its assessment of the electoral process, I would like to highlight that the EAC Election Observation Mission will be guided by the democratic principles and values outlined in the African Charter for Democracy, Elections and Governance and the EAC Principles for Election Observation and Evaluation. To this end, the assessment of the electoral process in the Republic of Uganda will be carried out in an impartial and objective manner, informed by the principles and guidelines stipulated in the aforementioned standards as well as the legal framework governing the conduct of elections in the country.
Ladies and gentlemen
On this day, we are deploying a total of of seventeen teams of EAC observers in the various regions of Uganda to assess the level of preparedness of the elections as well as the polling process. The Mission will issue a statement of its preliminary findings of the elections on 20 February 2016 through a press conference. Subsequently, the EAC will release a final and comprehensive report through its policy organs after the end of the electoral process in the Republic of Uganda.
Distinguished Colleagues from the Press
I would like to inform you that there is a Spokesperson for the Head of Election Observer Mission - Dr. Abdullah Makame who is a Personal Assistant to me. He will be responsible with the press related issues, kindly cooperate with him during the entire process.
Ladies and gentlemen
May I take this opportunity to wish the citizens of Uganda success in choosing their future leaders through this important democratic exercise.
Long Live Uganda!
Long Live The East African Community.
Thank you very much for your attention
Source: EAC Press
REGIONAL LEGISLATORS PUSH FOR DISASTER PREPAREDNESS IN LIGHT OF CLIMATE CHANGE
REGIONAL LEGISLATORS PUSH FOR DISASTER PREPAREDNESS IN LIGHT OF CLIMATE CHANGE
.....House adopts Report on Regional Parliamentarians Policy Workshop on Climate Change and Gender
East African Legislative Assembly, Kampala, August 27 2015: A key policy report on Climate change and gender is calling on Partner States to promote pro-active approaches through adequate preparedness and appropriate strategies in light of climate change.
The Report which follows a regional Parliamentary workshop held in Burundian Capital, Bujumbura in March 2015 was this afternoon debated and approved by EALA. The Report was presented by the Chairperson of the Agriculture, Tourism and Natural Resources Committee, Hon Christophe Bazivamo.
The Report says that approaches such as early warning systems and modalities for flood and drought management need to be inculcated. Closely related to this aspect is the need for the Partner States and the East African Community to advocate for strong institutional and governance structures.
In addition, the Assembly is of the view that the Secretariat invests in climate/disaster focused research and tools Participatory Capacity and Vulnerability Analysis (PCVA) to boost the preparedness of the region.
The objectives of the workshop was to create awareness amongst Members of EALA on the critical cross-cutting subjects of climate change and gender; and to consider existing international and regional policies, strategies and regulatory instruments and frameworks on climate change and gender. At the same time, the workshop sought to identify the role of Parliamentarians in implementation of Gender Sensitive Climate Change Policies and Practical measures.
In the past, EALA has passed several environmental Bills including Transboundary Ecosystems Management Bill (2010), the EAC Polythene Material Control Bill, 2014. The EAC Disaster Risk Reduction and management Control Bill (2014) is under consultation. Work has also commenced on the EAC Climate Change Bill and a Climate Change Fund.
During debate today, Hon Abdullah Mwinyi called for demarcation of specific areas for cattle keepers so that enough fodder is realized and sustainability is realised.
We need a recommendation to that effect from the report such that it adds to the dimension of Climate Change and Gender. "Farmers are predominantly women while cattle keepers are pre-dominantly men", he said. "There is need for a region-wide policy to deal with any imminent clashes that may arise", he added.
Hon Mumbi Ngaru said natural and man-made events both contribute to Climate Change. "We have the Disaster Risk Reduction Bill pending before the House. It needs to brought forth immediately by the Council of Ministers", she said.
Hon Susan Nakawuki lauded the city Council of Arusha for greening the City by planting more trees. We should all borrow from the successes of the City.
She called on the Partner States to ensure the EAC Climate Change Fund received funding.
Hon Valerie Nyirahabineza said the Assembly could champion the importance of the Climate Change Fund. "As an Assembly, we can support the Fund in a symbolic manner", she said.
Hon Dora Byamukama, Hon Dr. Odette Nyiramilimo and Hon Sarah Bonaya also supported the Report.
-ENDS-
Source: EAC Press
