Regional Bill on corruption in the offing

A regional Bill on anti-corruption is in the offing. The East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) has given its member Mr Abubakar Zein the nod to introduce the EAC Integrity and Anti-Corruption Bill, 2016.

Currently, the East African Community (EAC) treaty was signed in November 1999 and prohibits anti-corruption. “But at the moment the region lacks legal framework to anchor integrity matters,” said Mr Zein. The move has received support from the House with members calling for its fasttracking. “This legislation is long overdue,” said EALA member, Mr Abdullah Mwinyi.

The House has also called on EAC member States to support the key Bill. “The community also needs to finalise and operationalise related instruments which include the EAC protocol on preventing and combating corruption and that on good governance,” said Ms Dora Byamukama.

At the regional level, EALA members are now calling on the EAC partner States to expedite on the implementation of the bill once it becomes an Act. “Corruption continues to be a major problem in the region,” said Mr AbuBakr Ogle.

The Bill comes hot on the heels of another, on the EAC Whistleblowers Protection Bill, 2016, which was moved by Ms Margaret Nantongo Zziwa and has also sailed through its first reading. It has since been committed to the relevant committee for further scrutiny.

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