MPs concerned about Uganda’s preparedness to host EAC exhibition

Members of Parliament are concerned about the inadequate preparedness of the country to host the East African Community (EAC) Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) trade fair.
Uganda is expected to host the 22nd EAC MSMEs Trade fair in December. The fair is an annual event held on a rotational basis.
The Chairperson of the Committee on EAC Affairs, Hon Noeline Kisembo Basemera wondered why the Ministry of EAC Affairs has not started popularising the event.  
“Involve Private Sector Foundation to support the exhibition. I would not want us to wait up to July to start preparations because if we wait, we shall be ashamed. Let us try to avoid that,” said Basemera.
She added that the ministry should use the exhibition as a platform to promote Uganda as well as publicise the Ministry of EAC Affairs.
“Pay attention to what you present to the region about our country. Exhibit what will sell us within and outside the region,” said Basemera.
Hon Connie Nakayenzi Galwango (Indep., Mbale District) underscored the importance of identifying potential funders saying that government resources need to be supplemented for a successful event.  
“There are many who are willing to partner with the ministry but if you bring them on board in the last minute, you will not achieve much,” Galiwango said.
Soi County Hon Abdi Chemaswet said that a committee should have been put in place to start the preparations noting that any delay will affect the outcome of the event.
The Undersecretary, Ministry of EAC Affairs, Collins Dombo attributed the slow progress in preparation to shortage of funding for the event.
He said that while the ministry requires Shs1.2 billion to host the exhibition, the available funds are Shs710 million.
He added that the Ministry of Trade which collaborates with EAC Affairs Ministry has not budgeted for the event.
“There is need to have a special budget considering that the activity is held on an annual and rotational basis,” said Dombo.
The main purpose of the annual exhibition is to facilitate the formalisation of the informal sector activities within the East Africa region by allowing them to meet, share experiences, exchange business information, and expand the markets for their products in order to exploit opportunities offered by the EAC Common market.

The MPs also pointed out the continued challenge of tackling the low visibility of the EAC Integration.  

Basemera said that while Parliament passed a supplementary budget of Shs4.9 billion shillings for the Ministry, majority of MPs are not aware of the integration process.
“The committee has done its best to support your ministry. I don’t want to oversee a sector that everyone is not happy with,” she said.

Basemera added that efforts by the committee to have the ministry educate MPs about the EAC integration process have been futile.
“The committee met the Permanent Secretary and requested an induction for MPs on the EAC integration process but up to now, we have not received any response. Whereas President Museveni is pushing for integration, the ministry is not doing enough,” she said.

The Minister of State for EAC Affairs, Hon James Magode Ikuya blamed the low visibility of the EAC integration on budget shortfalls.  
“We are alive to the fact that there is a need for widespread sensitisation, especially for politicians. If people do not know what is happening, they cannot relate to the work done. We are however one of the underfunded ministries but we pledge to do our best,” said Magode Ikuya.

According to the Budget Framework Paper, in the 2022/2023 financial year, the Ministry of EAC Affairs requires Shs3.5 billion for visibility-related activities, and yet only Shs40 million has been provided.