President Kagame, President Kenyatta, President Museveni commit to fast track regional development

Today in Entebbe, President Kagame joined President Kenyatta and President Museveni for trilateral meeting on regional infrastructure, trade and political and economic integration.

The meeting aimed to accelerate regional infrastructure and policies that will strengthen cooperation and lead to socio-economic development in the region.
Addressing the cause of the meeting, President Kenyatta emphasized the importance of today\’s consultations in transforming East Africa:

“We are here to discuss economic development and to deal with issues that will allow us to take control of our own destiny.”

President Museveni added that it is time for Africa to no longer be the cause of its own failures and to take the responsibility to build upon its own strength.
President Kagame called for the implementation of  review meetings that will monitor implementation and ensure that promises are followed by results.

Presenting the outcomes of the meeting, Ugandan Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sam Kutesa, listed the main outcomes as construction of oil pipelines and refineries, electricity generation, political integration and the implementation of a common custom territory.

To ensure faster implementation, the leaders divided responsibilities with Uganda committing to lead the railway development and political federation sector, Rwanda leading on the customs, single tourists and East African Community e-identity card while Kenya will be chairing the implementation of the oil pipeline and electricity generation. The leaders agreed to evaluate progress every two months with the first review meeting taking place in Nairobi in August and the second during the month of October Kigali.

President Kagame was accompanied by the Minister for EAC Hon. Monique Mukaruliza, the Minister for Infrastructure Prof. Silas Rwakabamba and Maj. Gen. Frank Mugambage Rwanda’s High Commissioner to Uganda.

President Uhuru Kenyatta was accompanied by Amb. Amina C. Mohammed the Cabinet Secretary and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Eng. Michael Kamau Minister of Infrastructure and transport and Hassan Ali Joho the Governor of Mombasa County among others. Uganda’s delegation comprised of Minister for Foreign Affairs Sam Kutesa, Minister of Energy Eng. Muloni, Minister of Works Engineer Byandala and Minister for Trade Davide Wakikona among others.