The Eight Speakers of East Africa’s Parliaments plus their deputies are now presumably on their knees, praying for Uganda to go through the general elections safely, after the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Thomas Tayebwa appealed for their intercession with the e Almighty God. Uganda’s general elections are scheduled for 15 January 2026.
Tayebwa made the appeal on the weekend at the end of a week-long 20th Meeting of the Speakers’ Bureau of East Africa, convened at the Commonwealth Resort Munyonyo and chaired by Kenya’s Senate Speaker, Rt. Hon. Amason Kingi.
Tayebwa informed the Bureau that Uganda was “fully prepared” for presidential, parliamentary, and local government elections, noting that campaigns “for government, opposition, and independents are progressing peacefully.”
He added, drawing applause, that both he and Speaker Anita Among were already assured of returning to the 12th Parliament after sailing through unopposed. “I only ask that you pray for us so the Speaker continues unopposed, and me as her deputy,” he joked.
Tayebwa reaffirmed Uganda’s commitment to the East African Community (EAC) integration agenda, pledging support for the implementation of the Common Market and Customs Union Protocols at a time when regional cohesion faces significant strain.
His remarks come just weeks after Tanzania’s hotly contested general elections triggered political tensions, and amid wider geopolitical friction across the bloc, from the Rwanda–DRC crisis, to South Sudan’s fragile transition, Somalia’s still-nascent integration process, and ongoing Kenya–Uganda trade and maritime disputes.
Despite these challenges, Tayebwa told regional Speakers that Uganda remained “ready to conduct a free and fair election… legally, financially and operationally,” insisting that “everything is going as planned.”
Tayebwa also announced Uganda’s readiness to host the 15th Edition of the EAC Inter-Parliamentary Games from 5–15 December 2025, after Burundi withdrew due to its own election calendar.
“We are not looking for Ronaldo or Messi,” Tayebwa said. “We are looking for moments to blend, share, and advance the aspirations of East African integration through sports.”
The tournament will feature football, netball, basketball, volleyball, athletics, tug of war, golf, and darts, including categories for MPs with disabilities. Teams from Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, South Sudan, DRC, Somalia, and the East African Legislative Assembly are expected to participate.
Speaker Kingi welcomed Uganda’s preparations and urged all member states to send teams. He also announced that Ethiopia will chair the Speakers’ Bureau for the next year, emphasising that all members, new or old, must be treated with equal respect.
The Bureau meeting preceded Friday’s inaugural Africa Health Summit at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds, bringing together ministers, legislators, scientists, health experts and industry leaders at a time when global health financing is shrinking and donor fatigue is rising.
Tayebwa used the summit to push for a more self-reliant Africa. “We cannot keep waiting for the world to save us every time there is a crisis,” he warned. “Africa has the talent, market and resources. What we need is coordinated political will.”
He argued that Africa’s USD 220 billion intra-continental trade provides a foundation for investment in vaccines, diagnostics and pharmaceutical manufacturing. “Strengthening Africa’s pharmaceutical industry is not an option, it is a survival strategy,” he said.
Kenya’s Speaker Kingi praised the rise of local health innovations, while Uganda’s Permanent Secretary Dr. Diana Atwine urged African countries to strengthen regional value chains through a Buy Africa, Build Africa approach.
WHO Africa Programme Director, Dr. Abdourahmane Diallo, underscored the need for African-led health systems capable of outlasting crises.
The Munyonyo meetings unfold as the EAC confronts widening political and economic rifts, trade disputes, accusations of uneven customs enforcement, delayed implementation of regional laws, and chronic underfunding of institutions such as the EALA and EAC Secretariat.
The bloc stands at a crossroads: A region with vast economic potential and a young population, yet constrained by instability and unresolved disputes.
With East Africa’s Parliamentary Speakers going on their knees to pray for Uganda, will the political cohesion underpinning East African integration be restored and sustained, at a time when unity is most needed?
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