At a national consultation meeting held at the Kampala Serena Hotel, Joselyn Bigirwa, head of Mission for the IGAD Secretariat in Uganda, reaffirmed the authority’s commitment to fostering economic integration among its member states.
The discussions focused on developing IGAD’s fifth strategic plan for 2026–2030, aiming to address trade barriers, high tariffs, and taxes on imported goods to enhance cross-border trade and economic cooperation.
“We are focusing on promoting economic integration and addressing key challenges affecting cross-border communities in the Karamoja sub-region, South Sudan, Kenya, Ethiopia, Busia border, and Elegu-Nimule border, respectively,” she said.
Anthony Awira, Director of Partnerships and Planning at the IGAD Secretariat, highlighted the importance of collective engagement with member states. He cited lessons learned from past emergencies like COVID-19 and acknowledged ongoing regional challenges, including climate change, conflict, drought, flooding, and locust infestations.
The consultation process, which began in Kenya and continued in Uganda, seeks to identify mutual interests and leverage the comparative advantages of member states to address intra- and interstate conflicts and environmental crises.
Dr. Edith Namutebi Nsubuga, acting Ministry Counsel for Regional Peace and Security at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, underscored the need for collaboration to tackle security threats and trade barriers, such as tariffs and import/export restrictions.
She reaffirmed Uganda’s commitment to ratifying the protocol on the free movement of people across the eight IGAD member states, noting that the agreement has been negotiated and signed, with ratification pending.
The consultation involved input from sectoral ministries, civil society organizations, the private sector, academia, and various ministries.
