The East African countries of Burundi, Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda have resolved  to build the state of art forensic police centre in Uganda’s capital city Kampala. The centre is expected to handle investigation challenges in East African Community.

The sources in East African Community told our journalist that Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi and Tanzania accepted yesterday that Uganda has the capacity to manage the forensic centre.

The Mult million US dollar forensic centre will be built in Naguru, a Kampala hill. The centre will handle DNA, ballistics (handles bombs and land mines), and toxicology (test done on poison victims).

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Millions of people in the East African Countries of Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, and Tanzania are experiencing internet service interruptions and businesses relying on internet services are about to collapse. Such businesses include computer service centres, computer training centres, website designers and internet cafes.

The owners of businesses relying on internet for survival have written memos to their service providers such as MTN, Airetel, Orange Telecom, Uganda telecom, Vodacom and Warid telecom for an explanation.

In the Republic of Uganda, Orange telecom has sent messages to her customers reading that “Dear valued customers; we are experiencing a service interruption on our back up link to Kenya which has affected your internet experience. We have been told that MTN, Warid, UTL and Airtel have written similar messages to their customers.

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The bill now awaits EAC Heads of State assent to it before it becomes law in the five East Africa Community member states of Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi and Tanzania.

The Bill moved by Patricia Hajabakiga, Member from Rwanda aims at providing a legal framework for the preservation of a clean and healthy environment through the prohibition of manufacturing, sale, importation and use of polythene materials.

Justifying the move to have the regional law in place, Hajabakiga stated that the Bill is intended to control the use of polythenes while advocating for the total ban of plastics.

The mover notes several dangers of plastics and polythene materials notably soil degradation through burning of wastes, harmful emissions of toxics and the endangering of human and animal lives.

She further indicates that while plastics can be burned, they emit chemicals and the corresponding photo-degradation has consequential impact on human and infrastructure.
The MP says countries such as Bangladesh, Botswana, Israel, Rwanda and France among others have since enacted a similar law.

The Chairperson of the Agriculture, Tourism and Natural Resources Committee, Hon Safina Kwekwe whose Committee the Assembly mandated to look through the Bill, remarked that the Committee had met various stakeholders in the Partner States during the public hearings.

The meetings were called to create awareness of plastics and visit plastic manufacturers with a view to interfacing with them and suggesting for improvements on the Bill

In its report, the Committee states that Rwanda which has an existing law in place supported the Bill while requesting for inclusion of a clause on alternatives to polythene materials as well as an incentive programme.

Uganda on its part, enacted a law for the control of polythene materials in 2009 although the law is yet to be fully implemented. There are challenges with respect to disposal of such wastes owing to absence of recycling facilities, the Committee reported.

Stakeholders in Kenya were of the view that while polythenes are an environmental menace, a balance needs to be struck between eradicating them on the one side and the promotion and protection of investments on the other.  Generally, the stakeholders in Kenya suggested adjustment to specifications of polythene materials other than total ban and the introduction of a levy to allow the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) to manage the waste.

The United Republic of Tanzania generally supports the Bill on the understanding that only plastic bags should be banned and not all polythene materials. The same is the case with the Republic of Burundi. In Zanzibar, the report notes – issues concerning the environment are non-union and in 2008, the isle took the initiative to ban the use of plastics with a three year transitional period provided for in the law, expiring last year.

Stakeholders during public hearings however raised counter arguments including loss of income, jobs and reduced revenue affecting the economies. The issue of measuring of the microns, the House was told, is expensive even though it was suggested that balancing of revenues earned by governments compared to the very act of checking the environment should be taken into consideration.

During debate, majority of Members rose in support of the Bill.   Hon Emerence Bucumi hailed the Assembly’s decision to protect the environment noting that the region should emulate Rwanda’s example.  “We must protect the environment and share common interests in our desire to ensure a healthy environment, Hon Bucumi said.  Hon Christophe Bazivamo remarked that plastic bags were not only a menace to the environment but also harmed livestock as well.  Other Members in support were Hon. Dr. George Nangale and Hon Margaret Zziwa.

The Minister for EAC Hon Peter Munya reiterated the support of the Council of Ministers to the Bill.  “Polythene waste is a major hindrance in urban and rural areas and attempts to ensure solid waste management is thus essential and welcome.  The envisaged law in the Council’s view, shall control pollution and save both flora and fauna, he said.  Further attempts to ban the plastics in the region have not been entirely successful in the Partner States save for Rwanda and it is now time to collectively act”, Hon Munya said.

The Minister also presented mind boggling statistics of the use of plastic bags noting that the continent was most affected.

Amendments that sailed through during the debate include a change in title with the replacement of the word polythene with plastic to read “The East African Community Plastic Control Bill”.  This, Members agree has a wider scope and is consequential.

The Bill shall now go through the succeeding stages of assent with the Speaker of the Assembly expected to submit the amended /Assent copies to the Heads of State for assent.  Should it be assented (signed) to by the five Heads of State, then it shall become law.  In event that one or some (or all) Heads of State do not assent to the Bill then it shall be returned to the Assembly.

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According on the agenda, the East African MP will on Tuesday debate the Inter-University Council of East Africa (IUCEA) Bill. The bill seeks, among others, to create a organ to accredit universities in the East African Community.

The EALA members believe that the legislation will boost the quality of education among East Africa community states ofKenya,Rwanda,Burundi,UgandaandTanzania.

Other issues the members of EALA will discuss this week include the Trans-boundary Ecosystem Management Bill 2010 and the EAC Polythene Materials Control Bill among others.

Ultimate Media

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Its application to enter into the bloc was accepted last month according to president Museveni. The new African country was allowed into the EAC because of the factor of proximity.

The EAC act provides that any country to join EAC block must be bordering with a member country-Southern Sudan boarders with the Republic of Uganda and Kenya .

Museveni has today told his cabinet that many countries are struggling to join the EAC block because of its growing influence on the continent but the hindering factor is the clause of geographical proximity.

By Christine Kate

The post Southern Sudan now member of EAC bloc, says president Museveni of the republic of Uganda, Uganda is the third largest economy in East Africa, a region which currently comprises of Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania and Kenya first appeared on Uganda Multimedia News & Information.

There were two main reasons why the EAC presidents rejected Sudan’s entry. The block heads found out that Sudan did not meet the criterion on geographical proximity. The EAC members like Rwanda, Burundi and Tanzania reasoned that Sudan can not be accepted to join the block because it is far from any of the member states.

While briefing a cabinet meeting at state house today, president Museveni told members that Sudan was also rejected because it practices sharia law. No country in East Africa practices Sharia law. Museveni however says that Sudan would be accepted after further consultations.

Ultimate Media

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Addressing the media at the university campus in Nsambya today, the university’s chairman, university council, Dr. Ketrine Salati revealed that 300 students are set to graduate with degrees, diplomas and certificates in various disciplines. Of these, 56% are female and 44% are male.

Dr. Salati says most of the graduates are drawn from neighboring countries such as South Sudan, Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda.

He reveals the university has acquired 11 acres of land in Sseguku on Entebbe road where a permanent university campus will be built.

He adds that Cavendish will starting next year set up regional centers in Uganda, with Soroti and Kisoro among the pioneer centers.

Dr. Salati adds that the university will also establish itself in South Sudan, Rwanda, Burundi and DR Congo.

President Yoweri Museveni is expected to be the chief guest at the graduation.

Also expected is the university’s chancellor and Former Zambia President, Dr. Kenneth Kaunda.

By Olive Eyotaru

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