NAIROBI, KENYA — Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda, Rt. Hon. Jacob Markson Oboth-Oboth, has reaffirmed Uganda’s readiness to amend its parliamentary rules and support changes to the East African Community (EAC) Treaty to implement reforms governing the election and remuneration of Members of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA).
Speaking on Thursday, October 29, 2026, during an Extraordinary Meeting of the EAC Speakers’ Bureau in Nairobi, Kenya, Oboth-Oboth said Uganda was prepared to align its legislative framework with decisions adopted at the 25th EAC Summit of Heads of State. The proposed reforms seek to allow each Partner State to select its own nine representatives to the regional assembly under a revised election framework.
Oboth-Oboth said Uganda would support the necessary amendments to Article 50(1) of the EAC Treaty, which provides for each Partner State’s National Assembly to elect nine EALA members. The proposed changes would require amendments to the Treaty and relevant national rules before they can be implemented.
The Speaker also addressed the financial implications of the proposed reforms, saying Uganda’s Parliament would review its budget to provide for the remuneration of its EALA representatives once the Treaty amendments are completed. He reaffirmed the country’s readiness to implement the Summit’s decision at the earliest opportunity, demonstrating Uganda’s commitment to meeting its regional obligations.
The proposed remuneration arrangement follows the decision by EAC Heads of State that Partner States should assume responsibility for paying their respective EALA members under the new framework. The arrangement is expected to take effect with the next Assembly beginning in December 2027, subject to the necessary legal processes.
Beyond the proposed reforms, Oboth-Oboth confirmed that Uganda had remitted US$19,239 to the office of the EALA Clerk towards the EAC Inter-Parliamentary Games scheduled for December 4–15, 2026, in Arusha, Tanzania. The payment forms part of the financial contributions towards the regional parliamentary sporting event, which brings together legislators from participating Partner States.
The meeting was hosted by Kenya’s National Assembly Speaker, Rt. Hon. Moses Wetang’ula, and chaired by the EAC Speakers’ Bureau Chairperson, Rt. Hon. Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur, Speaker of Somalia’s House of the People. It was convened by EALA Speaker Rt. Hon. Joseph Ntakirutimana, with regional parliamentary leaders discussing reforms and the implementation of decisions made by the Community’s leadership.
Other participants included parliamentary leaders from Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya and Somalia. Their participation reflected the regional importance of the discussions, particularly the need for Partner States to coordinate their legislative and financial responsibilities as the EAC pursues institutional reforms.
Addressing the meeting, Oboth-Oboth emphasised the importance of cooperation among Partner States, saying the strength of the Community depended on their ability to work together and translate collective decisions into action. He reaffirmed Uganda’s commitment to regional integration and to supporting measures intended to strengthen cooperation among East African countries.
The discussions come as the EAC seeks to address institutional and financial challenges while ensuring that decisions adopted by its Heads of State are implemented through appropriate legal frameworks. The proposed changes to EALA elections and remuneration will require coordination among national parliaments and relevant regional institutions.
For Uganda, the next steps will involve reviewing the applicable parliamentary rules, supporting the required Treaty amendments and making the necessary budgetary preparations for the proposed remuneration arrangement. These processes will be essential to translating the country’s commitment into practical implementation.
The meeting also highlighted the importance of timely financial contributions to regional programmes, including the Inter-Parliamentary Games, as the Community continues to promote cooperation beyond legislative business. Uganda’s reported remittance towards the event represents its contribution to preparations for the December gathering in Arusha.
Oboth-Oboth’s remarks reaffirm Uganda’s stated intention to work with fellow Partner States in advancing EAC reforms and strengthening regional integration. The success of the proposed changes will depend on the completion of the required legal procedures and the coordinated implementation of decisions by the relevant national and regional institutions.
