East African lawmakers eye unified social media regulation to foster unity
Additionally, EALA members are expected to undertake "consideration of motions relating to the role of harmony in cross-border trade," further demonstrating the assembly's commitment to fostering a cohesive and prosperous East African Community.
The East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) is set to consider proposals for a comprehensive legal framework aimed at governing social media use across its member states. The initiative seeks to promote responsible online conduct and reinforce unity and peace within the East African Community (EAC).
This significant development was announced today by George Odongo, leader of delegation of the EALA Uganda Chapter, during a press briefing in Kampala.
He stated that discussions on a joint social media regulation tool would be a core item on the agenda for EALA’s second meeting of the 4th session of the fifth assembly, currently being convened at the Parliament of Uganda. The session is scheduled to run from November 24th to December 4th, 2025.
Odongo emphasized that assembly members would dedicate their focus to the “development of regional policy and a legal framework for the regulation and promotion of responsible use of social media.” He underscored that this effort is part of a broader strategy to “buttress unity and peace among member states of the EAC community.”
“We are therefore here in Kampala, Uganda, to conduct our rotational plenary meetings,” Odongo explained, highlighting the importance of these gatherings for regional integration. “Rotational meetings in our partner states go a long way in bringing our community closer to our people as well as fostering and deepening our regional integration agenda.”
Beyond social media governance, the assembly’s agenda also includes critical economic discussions. Odongo disclosed that EALA would work towards the “adoption and implementation of regional industrialization and value addition frameworks to reduce the export of raw materials” among member states. This measure aims to ensure that producers reap higher dividends from their products, thereby broadening the tax base within the region.
Additionally, EALA members are expected to undertake “consideration of motions relating to the role of harmony in cross-border trade,” further demonstrating the assembly’s commitment to fostering a cohesive and prosperous East African Community.
