Regional integration is crucial for the survival of East
Africans, President Yoweri Museveni has noted.
According to Museveni, the region provides a bigger market compared to
individual member states.
He was addressing teams participating in the East African Community Inter-parliamentary
games at the MTN Arena Lugogo today.
Museveni noted that the East African Community with six states has to deepen
integration for East Africans to survive.
Museveni explained that he showed up for the games to signify his respect and
strong belief in East African integration. Official figures show that East
African Community has 177 million citizens and a combined Gross Domestic
Product of US$193 billion with potential for growth.
Museveni made his speech after watching the first set of the women’s volleyball
match between Uganda and Tanzania.
Uganda won it
25-14. He said that he last watched volleyball in 1967 and that he only
thought footballers employ several skills to win.
He however noted that he is not bothered whether Tanzania wins because he is
Ugandan and also Tanzanian. Earlier, the Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca
Kadaga noted that teams from Rwanda and South Sudan skipped the games without
giving any reasons.
The games aim at promoting and deepening integration through
sports. The Kasambya County MP, Gaffa Mbwatekamwa however says
Museveni missed an opportunity to call on Rwanda to open up its border with
Uganda because it affects economic integration within the region.
The Deputy Speaker Parliament of Tanzania, Dr. Tulia Ackson, lauded Museveni
for gracing the games. She said Museveni had had shown political leadership in
the region by appearing for the games, something that other leaders haven’t
done.
The games started December 8 and will end tomorrow. Teams from the
Ugandan, Kenyan and Tanzanian parliaments including the East African
Legislative Assembly-EALA are participating in 8 disciplines such as
volleyball, netball, football, darts, golf, athletics, tug of war and
basketball.
The News Editor ,Reporter at Kagadi Kibaale community Radio
