Regional good governance conference opens in Kampala

KAMPALA - Officials from various institutions from East African Community (EAC) member states are currently in Kampala, Uganda to attend the third EAC Annual Conference on Good Governance. The institutions include ministries, parliaments, the judiciary, governance institutions, regional and international organisations and the academia. The three-day conference is organised under the theme “Upholding the Rule of Law and Constitutionalism for the Promotion of Regional Integration.” The Deputy Secretary General in charge of Political Federation at theEAC, Beatrice Kiraso, described the conference as significant especially in the acceleration of regional political federation. “Discussion on issues of governance is more pertinent now as EAC integration moves fast towards the establishment of a political federation,’’ said Kiraso. The objective of the annual conference, she added, was to promote continuous debate and advocacy at the highest levels of political leadership to underscore good governance if regional integration is to be strong and sustainable. Major papers to be discussed include those on constitutionalism and rule of law as the foundation for good governance; constitutionalism and administration of justice in the regional context; and the role of regional judicial mechanisms in upholding good governance in East Africa. The conference will also discuss constitutional reforms in the context of regional integration borrowing practical experiences from Kenya and also look at the ongoing process in Tanzania. Like all other policy issues, the EAC is trying to set similar benchmarks and standards of governance and democracy-related issues against which the region will be able to measure its performance, she added. The conference will be attended by Attorney Generals, Ministers responsible for Justice and Constitutional Affairs; Good Governance, Ethics and Integrity, Internal, Home Affairs and those responsible for EAC Affairs. Ends

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Regional good governance conference opens in Kampala