The president of Uganda Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has taken over the chairmanship of the East African Community (EAC) from William Ruto, President of Kenya, during the 25th Ordinary Summit of EAC Heads of State taking place in Arusha, Tanzania. With the handover, Museveni assumed leadership of the regional bloc and presided over the proceedings of the summit, which brought together leaders from EAC member states to discuss key issues affecting the region, including regional integration and trade. The chairmanship of EAC rotates among the heads of state of member countries, with the chairperson providing strategic leadership to the regional bloc during their tenure. ALSO READ: EAC unveils customs bond system in Arusha Speaking after assuming the role, Museveni thanked fellow leaders for entrusting him with the responsibility to chair the bloc for the next one year. “Political integration in our region is very important because it helps us overcome fragmentation and work together as one bloc. When we integrate politically and economically, we strengthen our ability to address common challenges and improve the welfare of our people,” he said. He noted that closer cooperation among member states would also create opportunities for businesses and boost economic growth across the region. According to the Ugandan leader, EAC provides a critical platform for member states to coordinate policies, strengthen trade relations, and advance shared development goals. “The future of our region depends on deeper cooperation and unity among the member states. The East African Community gives us a strong platform to coordinate policies, grow trade, and ensure shared prosperity for our citizens,” he said. Museveni also noted the economic benefits of removing barriers within the region, arguing that integration would help accelerate growth and create more opportunities for citizens. He further pointed to major global economies as examples of the benefits of operating as large integrated markets. “When you look at large economies such as the United States, China, India, and Russia, you see the advantage of operating as large integrated markets. For East Africa, deeper integration will allow us to compete better globally and strengthen our position in the world economy,” he said. He added that the regional bloc remains an important mechanism for cooperation among member states. “Through this platform, we can address shared challenges, strengthen our economies, and deliver tangible benefits to the citizens of our region,” he said.
