The East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) yesterday honoured three former First Ladies, whose husbands played a major role in the independence of the three original member states of the East African Community.

This was during a Special Sitting in Arusha, Tanzania; the regional legislators were addressed by Mama Ngina Kenyatta (Kenya), Mama Miria Obote (Uganda) and Mama Maria Nyerere of Tanzania.

In her address, the former Ugandan first lady called for efforts to establish integrated regional syllabi and even went as far as proposing that the Swahili language is key for the unity of the region.

"We need to move much faster in syllabus and curriculum,” she said.

Mama Miria Obote also received approval from the House for stressing that the bloc needs to encourage domestic tourism, stressing that "charity begins at home.”

Speaking in Swahili, the widow of Kenya’s first president, Jomo Kenyatta, and the mother of current President Uhuru Kenyatta, particularly thanked the Assembly for honouring them.

Speaking for the entire House, MP Nusura Tiperu (Uganda), said, "This House feels honoured and privileged, to host the former First Ladies of the region.”

Tiperu added: "Good things are about to happen to our region, for we have touched base with our history.”

Tiperu noted that the Assembly was very proud because the first ladies the Assembly hosted played a role in the establishment of the first EAC (1967 – 1977).

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