Lawmakers endorse slots for youth in EAC House

Members of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) on Thursday unanimously pushed for the inclusion of youth slots in the Assembly.

Debating a report of the Committee on General Purpose for key issues concerning youth in the region the lawmakers expressed disappointment with how politicians used youth as cushion for their ultimate goals while ignoring their plight.

In his contribution, Fred Mukasa Mbidde from Uganda noted with concern how politicians in the region used youth in campaigns, only to abandon them after they secured their posts.

“Young people need to be assisted. We need to amend article 50 and provide slots for them in the Assembly,” said the Ugandan lawmaker.

Citing an example of Al Shaabab militants who continue wrecking havoc in Somalia, Mbidde said it was saddening to see youth being used in terrorism.

The petition was prepared by youth ambassadors from the five partner states under the umbrella of the EAC Nyerere Centre for Peace and Research (EACNCPR).

In their petition, the youth reaffirmed that sustained development of Africa rested with its youth, therefore required their active and enlightened participation basing on various Charters, including the African Youth Charter and the Bamako Declaration of 2005.

The latter called for empowerment of the youth by building their capacities, leadership and responsibilities as well as gaining access to information so they were able to take up their rightful place and participate actively in decision making and governance.

The youth further affirmed that they needed representation at the national and regional levels, giving the example of Rwanda which had specific youth representation in the national parliament and in EALA.

The youth also demanded partner states to ensure the establishment of a National Youth Council where they didn’t exist and for EALA to advocate the operationalisation of National Youth Councils to become more vibrant in their activities.

Mariam Yahya Ussi urged partner states to institute youth desks in the countries, a move she said would directly engage youth in the integration process.

Her counterpart from Uganda, Susan Nakawuki wondered why Tanzania was the only country in the bloc without a youth council.

“It is high time Tanzania introduced a council for youth so that we realize the integration process,” she wondered
The Ugandan legislator further challenged the council of ministers to harmonize youth involvement, urging fellow lawmakers not to exploit the youth but to take them on board in decision making.

Though the bloc comprises more than 60 per cent youth, its regional lawmaking body doesn’t have direct representation in EALA.

In her response, the chairperson of the Council of Ministers, Dr Susan Kolimba, told the lawmakers that the establishment of such a council in Tanzania was underway.

Dr Kolimba also assured the Assembly that an East African Youth Policy was due to be finalized in the 2016/17 financial year.