# East African Legislative Assembly

The East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) is a sub-organ of the larger East African Community, being the legislative arm of the Community. Members are sworn into five-year terms.

## History

Since colonial times, a number of organizations have sought to integrate the region of East Africa. During the Victorian Era, rail links were established, and a number of regional organizations, such as the East African Currency Board and the East African Court of Appeal were established. A new wave of agreements and organizations were launched during the mid-20th century.
The Treaty for East African Co-operation was signed in 1967, launching the East African Community. However, due to political differences and weak participation, the treaty was nullified in 1977, ending the East African Community.
Despite this, interest in further regional cooperation continued. On 14 May 1984, the East African Community Mediation Agreement was signed, which pledged to "explore and identify areas for future co-operation and to make arrangements for such co-operation". On 26 November 1994, representatives from Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania signed the Agreement for the Establishment of a Permanent Tripartite Commission, which established a commission to further cooperation among the three countries. On 29 April 1999, the Tripartite Commission completed its analysis on the prospects of regional cooperation, and the three countries signed an agreement to upgrade the Agreement to a treaty for 2000.

### First Assembly (2001-2006)

The East African Legislative Assembly was inaugurated on 30 November 2001 as the legislative arm of the newly revived East African Community. The Assembly met in Arusha, Tanzania, where the Tripartite Commission announced it would upgrade to a treaty. Abdulrahman Kinana, an Elected Member from Tanzania was unanimous elected the Speaker of the First Assembly. The First Assembly met until 2006.

### Second Assembly (2007-2012)

On 1 July 2007, Burundi and Rwanda joined the East African Community, and, therefore, the East Africa Legislative Assembly. Abdirahim Abdi of Kenya served the Speaker of the Second Assembly.
The elected members of the second EALA (2007–12) break down by political party as follows:
| Political party | Burundi | Kenya | Rwanda | South Sudan | Tanzania | Uganda | TOTAL |
| Independents or unspecified | | 5 | 9 | N/A | | 9 | 23 |
| Chama Cha Mapinduzi | | | | N/A | 7 | | 7 |
| CNDD-FDD | 4 | | | N/A | | | 4 |
| KANU | | 2 | | N/A | | | 2 |
| CNDD | 1 | | | N/A | | | 1 |
| FORD Kenya | | 1 | | N/A | | | 1 |
| FORD People's Party | | 1 | | N/A | | | 1 |
| MRC | 1 | | | N/A | | | 1 |
| United Democratic Party | | | | N/A | 1 | | 1 |
| UPRONA | 1 | | | N/A | | | 1 |
| Chama cha Umma Demokrati | | | 1 | N/A | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| Totals | 9 | 9 | 8 | N/A | 9 | 8 | 45 |
Elected Members of the East African Legislative Assembly :
| Name | Country | Political Party |
| Abdirahim Haithar Haji Abdi | Kenya | |
| Catherine N Kimura | Kenya | |
| Christopher Dove Nakuleu | Kenya | |
| Gervase Mathias Buluma Kafwa Akhaabi | Kenya | |
| Clarkson Otieno Karan | Kenya | |
| Sarah Talaso Bonaya | Kenya | |
| Augustine Loile Chemonges Lotodo | Kenya | |
| Reuben Oyondi Oyondi | Kenya | |
| Safina Kwekwe Tsungu | Kenya | |
| George Francis Nangale | Tanzania | |
| Abdullah Ali Hassan Mwinyi | Tanzania | |
| Kate Sylivia / Magdalena Kamba | Tanzania | |
| Walid Aman Kabourou | Tanzania | |
| Fortunatus Lwanyantika Masha | Tanzania | |
| Didas John Massaburi | Tanzania | |
| Said Gharib Bilal | Tanzania | |
| Sebtuu Mohamed Nassor | Tanzania | |
| Janet Deo Mmari | Tanzania | |
| Mike Sebalu | Uganda | |
| Lydia Wanyoto Wanyoto | Uganda | |
| Dora Kanabahita Byamukama | Uganda | |
| Daniel Fred Kidega | Uganda | |
| Bernard Mulengani | Uganda | |
| Mugisha Oyera Muntu | Uganda | |
| Dan Wandera Ogalo | Uganda | |
| Nusura Tiperu Omar | Uganda | |
| | Uganda | |
| Francois Bizimana | Burundi | |
| Regine Katabarumwe | Burundi | |
| Leonce Ndarubagiye | Burundi | |
| Frederic Ngenzebuhoro | Burundi | |
| Georgette Nibitanga | Burundi | |
| Nzobonimpa Manasse | Burundi | |
| | Burundi | |
| | Burundi | |
| | Burundi | |
| Abdul Karim Harerimana | Rwanda | Rwandan Patriotic Front |
| James Ndahiro | Rwanda | representative for the disabled |
| Odette Nyiramirimo | Rwanda | representative for civil society |
| Pierre Damian Habumuremyi | Rwanda | Rwandan Patriotic Front |
| Claire Kayirangwa | Rwanda | Rwandan Patriotic Front |
| Patricia Hajabakiga | Rwanda | Rwandan Patriotic Front |
| Jacqueline Muhongayire | Rwanda | Social Democratic Party |
| Straton Ndikuryayo | Rwanda | representative for youth |
| Valerie Nyirahabineza | Rwanda | representative for women |

### Third Assembly (2012-2017)

Margaret Zziwa of Uganda served as the speaker from 2012 to 2014. She was the first woman to head the regional assembly and defeated her only rival Dora Byamukama 27 votes to 18 in the first round and 33 votes to 12 in the runoff. She was succeeded by Daniel Kidega, who served from 2014 until the end of the Third Assembly in 2017.
Elected Members of the East African Legislative Assembly :
| Name | Country |
| Margaret Zziwa | Uganda |
| Dora Byamukama | Uganda |
| Dan Kidega | Uganda |
| Fred Mbidde Mukasa | Uganda |
| Bernard Mulengani | Uganda |
| Susan Nakawuki | Uganda |
| Chris Opoka-Okumu | Uganda |
| Mike Sebalu | Uganda |
| Nusura Tiperu | Uganda |
| Nancy Abisai | Kenya |
| Abubakar Zein Abubakar | Kenya |
| Sarah Bonaya | Kenya |
| Peter Mathuki | Kenya |
| Mumbi Ngaru | Kenya |
| Saole Ole Nkanae | Kenya |
| Abubakar Ogle | Kenya |
| Joseph Kiangoi | Kenya |
| Judith Pareno | Kenya |
| Shy-Rose Bhanji | Tanzania |
| Adam Kimbisa | Tanzania |
| Angela Kizigha | Tanzania |
| Bernard Murunya | Tanzania |
| Abdullah Mwinyi | Tanzania |
| Perprtua Nderakindo | Tanzania |
| Makongoro Nyerere | Tanzania |
| Issa Taslima | Tanzania |
| Mariam Ussi Yahya | Tanzania |
| Emerence Bucumi | Burundi |
| Hafsa Mossi | Burundi |
| Isabelle Ndahayo | Burundi |
| Leonce Ndarubagiye | Burundi |
| Martin Nduwimana | Burundi |
| Emmanuel Nengo | Burundi |
| Jeremie Ngendakumana | Burundi |
| Frederic Ngenzebuhoro | Burundi |
| Yves Nsabimana | Burundi |
| Christophe Bazivamo | Rwanda |
| Patricia Hajabakiga | Rwanda |
| Abdulkarim Harelimana | Rwanda |
| Jacqueline Muhongayire | Rwanda |
| James Ndahiro | Rwanda |
| Straton Ndikuryayo | Rwanda |
| Valerie Nyirahabineza | Rwanda |
| Odette Nyiramilimo | Rwanda |
| Pierre Celesitin Rwigema | Rwanda |

### Fourth Assembly (2017-2022)

The Fourth Assembly has a total of 62 members, of which each member state submits 9 elected members, and 8 ex-officio members. Its speaker is Martin Ngoga of Rwanda.
The following table lists the elected members of the Fourth Assembly of the East African Legislative Assembly:
Elected Members of the East African Legislative Assembly :
| Name | Country | Political Party |
| Mnyaa Habib Mohamed | Tanzania | |
| Nkuhi Fancy Haji | Tanzania | |
| Maryam Ussi Yahya | Tanzania | |
| Kimbisa Adam Omar | Tanzania | |
| Hasnuu Makame Abullah | Tanzania | |
| Lugiko Happyness Elias | Tanzania | |
| Maghembe Ngwaru | Tanzania | |
| Maasay Pamela Simon | Tanzania | |
| Josephine Sebastian Lemoyan | Tanzania | |
| Thoar Gatpan Gideon | South Sudan | |
| Jago Odok Woda Jeremiah | South Sudan | |
| Ann Itto Leonardo | South Sudan | |
| Gabriel Garang Aher Arol | South Sudan | |
| Kim Gai Ruot Duop | South Sudan | |
| Deng Dut Gatkek Thomas | South Sudan | |
| Gabriel Alaak Garang Diing | South Sudan | |
| Deng Nhial Gai | South Sudan | |
| Ayason Mukulia Kennedy | South Sudan | |
| Christopher Opoka-Okumu | Uganda | |
| Susan Nakawuki | Uganda | |
| Fred Mukasa Mbidde | Uganda | |
| George Stephen Odongo | Uganda | |
| Dennis Namara | Uganda | |
| Musamali Paul Mwasa | Uganda | |
| Kasamba Mathias | Uganda | |
| Rose Akol Okullu | Uganda | |
| Mary Mugyenyi | Uganda | |
| Flowrence Jematiah Sergon | Kenya | Jubilee Party |
| Oburu Odinga | Kenya | National Super Alliance |
| Noor Mohamed Adan | Kenya | Jubilee Party |
| Wanjiku Muhia | Kenya | Jubilee Party |
| Simon Mbugua Nganga | Kenya | Jubilee Party |
| Kennedy Musyoka Kalonzo | Kenya | National Super Alliance |
| Fatuma Ibrahim Ali | Kenya | National Super Alliance |
| Aden Omar Abdikadir | Kenya | National Super Alliance |
| Aburi Mpuru Lawrence | Kenya | Jubilee Party |
| Pierre-Célestin Rwigema | Rwanda | |
| Kalinda Francois Xavier | Rwanda | |
| Martin Ngoga | Rwanda | Rwandan Patriotic Front |
| Jean Claude Barimuyabo | Rwanda | |
| Alex Bahati | Rwanda | |
| Francoise Uwumukiza | Rwanda | |
| Francine Rutazana | Rwanda | |
| Fatuma Ndangiza | Rwanda | |
| Oda Gasinzigwa | Rwanda | |
| Léontine Nzeyimana | Burundi | |
| Marie Claire Barikukiye | Burundi | |
| Sophie Nsavyimana | Burundi | |
| Alfred Ahingejeje | Burundi | |
| Mo-Mamo Karerwa | Burundi | |
| Jean-Marie Muhirwa | Burundi | |
| Pierre Claver Rurakamvye | Burundi | |
| Victor Burikukiye | Burundi | |
| Christopher Nduwayo | Burundi | |
The following table lists the ex-officio members of the Fourth Assembly of the East African Legislative Assembly:
Ex-Officio Members of the East African Legislative Assembly :
| Name | Country |
| Isabelle Ndahayo | Burundi |
| Francois Kalinda | Rwanda |
| Pierre-Célestin Rwigema | Rwanda |
| Maryam Ussi Yahya | Tanzania |
| Fred Mukasa Mbidde | Uganda |
| Susan Nakawuki | Uganda |
| Vacant | |
| Vacant | |

### Fifth Assembly (2022-2027)

The Fifth Assembly was inaugurated on 19 December 2022, which included for the first time 9 members from the Democratic Republic of Congo, which had joined the EALA in March of that year. Joseph Ntakarutimana of Burundi was elected as speaker of the 63-member parliamentary body. In addition to the elected members, the fifth parliament included nine ex-officio members – one from each member nation, the secretary general, and the counsel – who serve as ministers of the East African Community Affairs. The following table lists the elected members of the Fifth Assembly of the East African Legislative Assembly:
Elected Members of the East African Legislative Assembly :
| Name | Country |
| Jacqueline Amongin | Uganda |
| Gerald Blacks Siranda | Uganda |
| Veronica Kadogo | Uganda |
| James Kakooza | Uganda |
| Paul Mwasa Musamali | Uganda |
| George Stephen Odongo | Uganda |
| Dennis Namara | Uganda |
| Mary Mugyenyi | Uganda |
| Rose Akol Okullu | Uganda |
| Mohame Juma Nadra | Tanzania |
| Shogo Richard Mlozi | Tanzania |
| James Kinyasi Millya | Tanzania |
| Mashaka Khalfan Ngole | Tanzania |
| Abdulla Hasnuu Makame | Tanzania |
| Maghembe Jumanne Ng'waru | Tanzania |
| Machano Ali Machano | Tanzania |
| Angela Charles Kizigha | Tanzania |
| Ansar Kachwamba | Tanzania |
| Gabriel Garang Aher Arol | South Sudan |
| Thomson Luke Teny | South Sudan |
| Sadia James Sebit | South Sudan |
| Deng Gai | South Sudan |
| Gai Rut Kim | South Sudan |
| Kennedy Aysason Mukulia | South Sudan |
| Woda Jeremiah Odok Jago | South Sudan |
| Ann Itto Leonardo | South Sudan |
| Gideon Gatpa Thoar | South Sudan |
| Alex Bahati | Rwanda |
| Françoise Uwumukiza | Rwanda |
| Clément Musangabatware | Rwanda |
| Francine Rutazana | Rwanda |
| Aisha Nyiramana | Rwanda |
| Mathias Harabemungu | Rwanda |
| Alodie Iradukunda | Rwanda |
| Caroline Rwivanga Kayonga | Rwanda |
| Fatuma Ndangiza | Rwanda |
| Suleiman Said Shahbal | Kenya |
| David Ole Sankok | Kenya |
| Winnie Odinga | Kenya |
| Maina Godfrey Mwangi | Kenya |
| Zipporah Kering Kurga | Kenya |
| James Mathenge Kanini | Kenya |
| Kennedy Musyoka Kalonzo | Kenya |
| Falhada Dekow Iman | Kenya |
| Hassan Omar Hassan | Kenya |
| François Mangu Ngate | Democratic Republic of Congo |
| Stella Nyota Mwetaminwa | Democratic Republic of Congo |
| Joseph Mbombo Mundela | Democratic Republic of Congo |
| Jérémie Ilenda Maswama | Democratic Republic of Congo |
| Dorothé Nganiza Masirika | Democratic Republic of Congo |
| Géraldine Kalwa Kaubo | Democratic Republic of Congo |
| Evariste Kwete Kalala | Democratic Republic of Congo |
| Jean-Bertrand Ewanga | Democratic Republic of Congo |
| Désiré Ipenda Boulu | Democratic Republic of Congo |
| Olivier Nkurunziza | Burundi |
| Anastase Manirambona | Burundi |
| Saidi Kibeya | Burundi |
| Cathy Kezimana | Burundi |
| Mo-Mamo Karerwa | Burundi |
| Victor Burikukiye | Burundi |
| Goreth Bigirimana | Burundi |
| Gabriel Ntisezerana | Burundi |
| Joseph Ntakirutimana | Burundi |

## Composition

As of the Fourth Assembly, the East African Legislative Assembly has 62 members, of which each member state submits 9 elected members, and 8 ex-officio members.
According to Article 50 of the East African Community Treaty, members are elected by their respective country's national legislature. Article 50 also calls upon said members to reflect their country's political parties, opinions, gender composition, and other special groups.
The ex-officio members of the Assembly are to be each member state's minister for regional cooperation, the Secretary General of the East African Community, and the Counsel to the Community.

## Functions

Article 49 of the East African Community Treaty stipulates that the responsibilities of the East African Legislative Assembly are to "be the legislative organ of the Community", "liaise with the National Assemblies of the Partner States on matters relating to the Community", "debate and approve the budget of the Community", "consider annual reports on the activities of the Community, annual audit reports of the Audit Commission and any other reports referred to it by the Council", "discuss all matters pertaining to the Community and make recommendations to the Council as it may deem necessary for the implementation of the Treaty", "establish any committee or committees for such purposes as it deems necessary", "recommend to the Council the appointment of the Clerk and other officers of the Assembly", and "make its rules of procedure and those of its committees".

## Committees

As Article 49 of the East African Community Treaty outlines, the East African Legislative Assembly has the right to "establish any committee or committees for such purposes as it deems necessary". As of 2020, the Assembly has the following seven committees:
* The Commission Committee
* The Accounts Committee
* The Committee on Legal, Rules, and Privileges
* The Committee on Agriculture, Tourism and Natural Resources
* The Committee on Regional Affairs and Conflict Resolution
* The Committee on Communication, Trade and Investment
* The Committee on General Purpose

## Activities since inauguration

Since its inauguration, EALA has held several sittings as a Plenary in Arusha, Kampala and Nairobi. During these sittings, EALA has:
* adopted its rules of procedure;
* elected the Speaker of the Assembly;
* recommended to the Council of Ministers the appointment of the Officers of the Assembly;
* approved the budgets for the EAC for the 2002-3 and 2003-4 fiscal years;
* asked the Council of Ministers 19 questions, which were duly answered;
* adopted five resolutions;
* held seminars on a wide range of issues in relation to their mandate; and
* passed six bills into law.
The Committees have continuously got briefs from the Secretariat and given advice with regard to progress in the implementation of the Treaty.

## Impact

One 2015 paper suggested that the structure of the East African Community Treaty created the East African Community in a way that the East African Legislative Assembly often butted heads with the East African Community Council of Ministers, which harmed the efficacy of the Assembly.