Overview

Overview

What we do

The Ministry was established in 2007 under Article 8(3a) of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community, as amended. It exists to ensure that Uganda participates fully in the integration process and that its benefits reach every Ugandan household.

The EAC Heads of State Summit created the position of ministers dedicated solely to EAC affairs, based in each Partner State's capital, to speed up integration. In Uganda that responsibility rests with this Ministry. We coordinate policy, lead negotiations, follow up on regional decisions, and work to make sure the public, the private sector and civil society understand and take part in integration.

In this section

Key documents

Our mandate

To steer Uganda's regional integration agenda in accordance with the objectives of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community.

Vision

A prosperous, peaceful and politically united East Africa in which Uganda thrives as an integral part of the Community.

Mission

To coordinate Uganda's effective participation in the East African Community for accelerated, sustainable and inclusive regional integration.

How the Ministry is organised

Political leadership comes from the Minister and the Minister of State. The Permanent Secretary is the Accounting Officer, supported by an Under Secretary and four technical departments:

  • Political Affairs
  • Economic Affairs
  • Production and Infrastructure
  • Social Affairs

Meet the leadership team

A long history of working together

Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania have co-operated under successive regional arrangements for over a century, beginning with the Customs Union between Kenya and Uganda in 1917, which Tanganyika joined in 1927.

After the first East African Community was dissolved in 1977, the three states signed a Mediation Agreement in 1984 dividing its assets and liabilities, and agreed to explore future co-operation. Meetings of the three Heads of State led to the Permanent Tripartite Commission in 1993, and ultimately to the Treaty that created today's Community.

Milestones

  1. Heads of State sign the Agreement establishing the Permanent Tripartite Commission for East African Co-operation in Kampala.

  2. Secretariat of the Commission for East African Co-operation launched in Arusha.

  3. Treaty

    The Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community is signed in Arusha.

  4. Treaty

    The Treaty enters into force and the East African Community comes into being.

  5. Institutions

    The East African Legislative Assembly and the East African Court of Justice are inaugurated.

  6. Customs Union

    The EAC Customs Union becomes operational.

  7. New members

    Rwanda and Burundi become full members of the Community. Uganda establishes a dedicated Ministry for EAC Affairs the same year.

  8. Common Market

    The Common Market Protocol enters into force after ratification by all five Partner States.

  9. Monetary Union

    The Protocol for the Establishment of the East African Monetary Union is signed.

  10. New member

    South Sudan becomes a full member of the EAC.

  11. New member

    The Democratic Republic of the Congo accedes to the Treaty as the seventh Partner State.

  12. New member

    Somalia becomes a full member, bringing the Community to eight Partner States.