By Laura Cenge
Rt. Hon. Rebecca Kadaga, the 1st Deputy Prime Minister and Minister in Charge of East African Community Affairs, visited Uganda Christian University (UCU) with a group from her Ministry. Their visit’s purpose was to sensitize staff and students on the mandate of the ministry and on matters about regional integration. Uganda’s EAC ministry is running a campaign dubbed the East Africa iDeserve (EACiDeserve).
“This is one of our strategies for reaching the people of Uganda. We don’t have too much money in the budget for sensitisation, so we are starting with organised groups,” said Rt.Hon.Rebecca Kadaga.
Students had an opportunity to engage with the team from the Ministry of EAC Affairs, ask questions, and present the challenges facing them. The guild president, Timothy Ddumba, appreciated the delegation from the ministry for being there to teach the staff and students about the EAC region.
“I thank the Lord that you have come at a time when we are celebrating International students, so your message has come at the right time,” Timothy Ddumba,the guild president of the 25th government of UCU, said.
The international students, led by Nathanael Simbilayo, expressed their concern about the Ugandan government’s “no visa required” agenda, which allows Ugandans to travel to certain countries without paying for a visa, such as Jamaica, Bermuda, and many others, but not the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), despite the fact that it is the closest and borders Uganda from the east.
The UCU vice chancellor, Assoc. Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi, appreciated the initiative by Uganda’s ministry of EAC affairs to speak to the UCU community. “You have witnessed through the students reactions that we have similar challenges in East Africa,” said Mushengyezi.
Kadaga pledged to address the challenges facing international students (East Africans), who often struggle when processing visas to travel and study in Uganda. She added that “I’m planning to travel to Kinshasa, and I will engage the minister of EAC affairs in the Democratic Republic of Congo about such an issue so that we can find a solution.”
The Minister gave books to the university library to enable students better understand the EAC’s work. UCU received The East African Community Treaty, the East African Community Customs Union, the Protocol of Peace and Security, and the Protocol on the Establishment of the East African Community Common Market were among the volumes donated.
Furthermore, the ministry presented calendars, the East African Community flag, and a few more mini flags of the community to be put at the Vice Chancellor’s office, as well as others.
