KIGALI - Rwanda was yesterday elected to chair the East African Communications Organisations (EACO) congress during the 18th assembly of the organization taking place in Kigali.

EACO is a regional body that brings together regulatory, postal, telecommunications and broadcasting organisations within the East African Community (EAC) member countries.

At the event, Francois Regis Gatarayiha, the acting Director General, Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Agency (RURA), was elected as chair of the congress replacing Patrick Mwesigwa from Uganda.

Speaking to reporters, shortly after Rwanda was nominated, Gatarayiha said that, it was a vote of confidence bestowed on Rwanda by the member countries.

"The country will also oversee working relations with partners by closely coordinating the activities of the subcommittees in the member countries that have been set up by EACO congress,” he added.
 
Gatarayiha stated that he does not see it as challenge, but as a task to be accomplished during his term of office.

During its tenure, Rwanda will follow up on EACO policy objectives, priorities and guidelines regarding existing and planned programmes of work towards the harmonisation of policies in the communications sector in the region.

Patrick Mwesigwa, the Director of Technology and Licensing at the Uganda Communications Commission and the outgoing chairman of EACO, said that it was normal for the host country to chair the congress for a period of one year.

"Rwanda is capable of ensuring that all the decisions and policies made from the 18th EACO forum are implemented by the member countries,” he remarked.

The congress meets annually to review the progress made towards harmonising policies in the communications sector in the region.

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