The Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs has called on East African Community (EAC) member states to accelerate ratification of the regional ICT protocol to improve connectivity, reduce communication costs and boost trade and tourism across the region.
The committee warned that delays in ratifying the agreement could undermine regional integration efforts and limit access to affordable internet services among partner states.
The call was made during a meeting with the State Minister for ICT and National Guidance, Alioni Odria, and the State Minister for East African Community Affairs, Magode Ikuya, as the committee scrutinised Uganda’s implementation of the EAC Protocol on ICT Network.
The committee, chaired by Ora County MP Grace Freedom Kwiyucwiny, said coordinated implementation of the protocol was critical to ensuring that all member states benefit from regional digital infrastructure and services.
Kwiyucwiny urged the EAC Council of Ministers to coordinate efforts to ensure that countries yet to ratify the protocol complete the process.
“If we are the East African Community and we want to be integrated, then we have to move in uniformity,” Kwiyucwiny said, warning that differences in implementation could affect trade, business and tourism.
Signed in 2013, the protocol provides a framework for cooperation in ICT infrastructure sharing, cross-border connectivity, cybersecurity and harmonisation of policies across the region. It is intended to improve communication infrastructure and make digital services more accessible and affordable.
The committee also raised concerns about Uganda’s dependence on neighbouring countries, particularly Kenya and Tanzania, for access to international internet connectivity, owing to its landlocked geographical position.
Kwiyucwiny said strengthening regional connectivity and exploring more affordable alternatives would enable Uganda to take greater advantage of digital opportunities.
She noted that internet access was increasingly facilitating trade by allowing businesses to order goods and raw materials online, but emphasised the need for stronger cooperation among EAC partner states to maximise the benefits.
Minister Odria supported the committee’s position, urging East African representatives to expedite the ratification process to enable member states to benefit from regional cooperation in the ICT sector.
The committee subsequently asked the Ministry of East African Community Affairs to provide detailed information on the status of ratification of the protocol across member states.
During the meeting, Kwiyucwiny also challenged the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance to intensify public awareness campaigns about existing opportunities for accessing affordable internet services.
She said the ministry had informed the committee about a free internet access window running from 6pm to 6am, but noted that many potential beneficiaries, including students and traders, were reportedly unaware of the arrangement.
The MP called for wider public sensitisation to ensure that students, researchers and business operators take advantage of the service to reduce their communication costs and improve access to information.
The committee said it would continue engaging the relevant ministries to ensure coordinated implementation of the protocol and strengthen regional integration through improved ICT connectivity.
