The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organisation comprised of six partner countries: Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda, with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
According to a report released Monday (December 27, 2021) by Karibu East Africa in collaboration with the Uganda Journalists Association (UJA), President Museveni outperforms other partner state presidents in terms of fostering positive working relationships with his peers in the region.
The report is the result of a survey conducted by Karibu East Africa between 2015 and 2020 that focused on trade, governance, infrastructure, peace, security, and how the leaders of the partner states interacted with one another.
Each of the areas was graded on a scale of 0 to 20.
“Even when provoked, President Museveni has refused to be hostile to other partner states.” For example, when Kenya blocked the importation of goods from Uganda, he remained calm and preferred an amicable solution; similarly, when Rwanda blocked the border in 2019, he chose an amicable solution. As a result, he is an asset in terms of regional integration,” said lead researcher Charles Kazooba.
Kazooba, on the other hand, believes Museveni should institutionalise power if he wants to outperform his peers in areas such as governance.
Kenya’s Uhuru Kenyatta and former Tanzanian President John Pombe Magufuli excelled in infrastructure, peace, and security, while Rwanda’s Paul Kagame performed mediocrely across the board.
The final average marks were calculated by the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, which had previously assessed governance dimensions ranging from security to justice, rights and economic opportunity, health, and the environment for each EAC head of state. According to Kazooba, the ‘East African Barometer’ survey is intended to motivate all stakeholders in the desired EAC integration process to positively contribute to the community’s growth.
In order to create the report, the researchers examined media coverage of East African leaders and their respective countries.
The late Pierre Nkurunziza of Burundi was ranked lowest in all the performance indicators.
The report also highlights the robust peace and security under Museveni that has been credited for the prevailing economic growth, restoration of freedom of speech, press freedom, relative democracy, freedom of worship, effective foreign policy, education and tourism.
Presiding over the launch of the report, Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) party president Maj. Gen. (rtd) Mugisha Muntu welcomed the initiative, saying it could help the leaders to wake up before it is too late.
“We have got substantial resources in EAC but unfortunately our presidents are not looking at the power of close co-operation and that is why we are being exploited by developed countries,” the ANT party president said.
Muntu said the poor relations among African countries explains why the continent has no permanent representation on the UN Security Council despite its huge population.
Message to Opposition
At the same function, Muntu appealed to what he described as forces of change in the country not to lose hope in the electoral process despite the setback in 2021 general election and recently concluded Kayunga byelection.
“It is hope that drives people to the apex of victory and if you give up, then you will remain vulnerable forever,” he said.
Muntu said it will take some time for the country to get the calibre of people fit to cause the desired change.
“We pray to God that 2022 will be a better year than 2021. We must remain positive,” he said.
100 top East Africans
In addition, 100 top East Africans for the period 2015 to 2020 were identified based on their contribution to regional integration.
They include First Deputy Prime Minister Rebecca Kadaga, Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo, Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) boss Allen Kagina, Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, Fred Mukasa Mbidde, Prof. Badru Kateregga, Olive Kigongo, former Principal Judge James Ogoola and Judiciary permanent secretary Puis Bigirimana.
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