Kadaga inspired to pursue EAC economic & political integration by the late Kategaya’s good works
Kadaga explained that it was a coincidence that at the time of his death, Kategaya was the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for East African Community Affairs, and had served in this capacity for six years.
Uganda’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for East African Community Affairs, Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga, is inspired to pursue the establishment of the East Africa Monetary Union (EAMU) by the works of the late Eriya Kategeya.
Kadaga, speaking at the Eriya Kategeya Memorial Lectured held today at Mestil Hotel in Kampala vowed to ensure that the Monetary Union is achieved as a way of honouring Kategeya.
The late Kategeya was Uganda’s first minister in charge of the EAC when the ministry was established in 2007. He was also the First Deputy Prime Minister, just like Kadaga is now.
Kadaga says that at the time of Kategeya’s death, he had spearheaded negotiations for the Monetary Union and other sectoral protocols. He had also signed two of the four pillars of EAC Integration – the Customs Union and the Common Market protocol.
“The Ministry of EAC Affairs was established in the year 2007 with the mandate of steering Uganda’s regional integration agenda in accordance with the objectives of the Treaty for the establishment of East African Community,” Kadaga reminisced.
“The first cabinet Minister to head this Ministry was the Honorable Kategaya with Mrs. Edith Mwanje as Permanent Secretary. Together they started the Ministry with a very humble budget and a staff composed of less than ten people,” Kadaga added.
Kadaga explained that it was a coincidence that at the time of his death, Kategaya was the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for East African Community Affairs, and had served in this capacity for six years.
She added that in all these positions Kategeya held, he is remembered as being consistently anti-corrupt, and served with integrity, humility and dignity.
“Most of you who knew Kategaya will recall that from 1981, he was the National Political Commissar and later served in different capacities as Minister and Deputy Prime Minister up to the time of his death in 2013.
As we congregate here today, we express our gratitude to him for his selfless service to his Country and appreciate his tireless quest for the freedom of others, as well as his dedication to EAC Integration,” she said.
