Progrees On The EAC Mediation Bill.
Rt.Hon Rebbecca Kadaga as seen in the picture during the meeting.
The First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of East African Community Affairs, Uganda, the Right Honourable Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga, convened a meeting with officials from the Ministries of Public Service, Justice and Constitutional Affairs, and Finance and Economic Development. The purpose was to deliberate and update her on the progress within their respective ministries regarding the EAC Mediation Agreement Bill. In 2024, Uganda initiated the process of disbursing pensions to former employees of the now-defunct East African Community (EAC), following the stipulations of the 1984 Mediation Agreement. This led to the introduction of the EAC Mediation Bill in Parliament, aimed at addressing prior inconsistencies that impeded payments.
In October, the Right Honourable Rebecca Kadaga presented the EAC Mediation Bill during a plenary session, delineating how Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda would manage the remuneration of former cooperation staff, including General Fund Services (G.F.S).
The EAC Mediation Bill
The EAC Mediation Agreement Bill seeks to formalize the provisions of the 1984 East African Community Mediation Agreement, endorsed by Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda. Key aspects of the bill include:
1. Legal Effect: The bill endeavors to implement the 1984 agreement, encompassing the apportionment of assets and liabilities of the erstwhile East African Community.
2. Assets and Liabilities: It delineates the manner in which the assets and liabilities of former community bodies, such as the East African Railways Corporation and the East African Airways Corporation, will be allocated among the three nations.
3. Payment to Former Staff: The bill outlines the procedure for each state to manage the disbursement of pensions and other entitlements to former employees of the community’s institutions.
4. Joint Institutions and Common Services: It specifies which institutions and services will persist in operating collectively, including the East African Development Bank and the East African Inter-University Committee.
5. Arbitration Tribunal: The bill institutes an arbitration tribunal to address disputes emanating from the mediation agreement.
6. Adaptation of Laws: It includes provisions for amending existing laws to conform to the agreement.
The bill aspires to resolve enduring issues and ensure adherence to commitments made during the mediation process.
Progress
Uganda’s efforts in disbursing pensions to former employees of the defunct East African Community (EAC) have been ongoing since 2024, following a Verification Process conducted between 2019 and 2023. The Ministry of East African Community Affairs verified and compensated a total of 586 claimants. As of the 2023/2024 fiscal year, an additional 31 files, valued at $93,533, have been verified.
The Ugandan government has demonstrated its dedication to resolving these matters, with the introduction of the EAC Mediation Bill in Parliament to guarantee that all former EAC employees receive their rightful benefits.
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