On 23 and 24 June 2026, the Chairperson of the East African Community (EAC) Council of Ministers, Rt. Hon. Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga, undertook a series of high-level engagements in Arusha, Tanzania, demonstrating the Council's commitment to strengthening regional integration, accountability, and good governance.

Upon arriving in Arusha on 23 June, Rt. Hon. Kadaga proceeded directly to a series of official meetings before joining the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) plenary to deliver the EAC Budget Speech. The address highlighted the Community's progress over the past year and outlined the region's priorities for the implementation of programmes that advance economic growth, regional cooperation, and shared prosperity.

In her Budget Speech, Rt. Hon. Kadaga noted that the East African Community recorded economic growth of 5.8 percent in 2025, surpassing the global average of 3.4 percent. She highlighted that intra-EAC trade increased to USD 19.3 billion, exports reached USD 77 billion, and the region's trade deficit narrowed significantly from USD 13 billion to USD 2.6 billion. She also pointed to achievements in the social sector, including specialised medical services provided to more than 12,500 patients, among them 270 successful kidney transplants. In the fisheries sector, coordinated efforts on Lake Victoria resulted in the removal of 47,110 illegal fishing gears and the licensing of 5,535 fishing boats, contributing to sustainable management of the region's shared natural resources.

On 23 and 24 June, Rt. Hon. Kadaga also participated in engagements with the EALA Committee on Accounts, alongside the EAC Secretary General, Ambassador Stephen Patrick Mbundi. The meetings focused on addressing issues arising from the audited accounts for the financial year ended 30 June 2024 and providing clarifications to Members of the Committee on matters relating to financial accountability and institutional performance.

The Committee sitting further considered the Report of the Committee on Trade, Investment and Industry on its oversight activities, as well as the Report of the Committee on Accounts on the Audited Accounts of the East African Community for the financial year ended 30 June 2023. Rt. Hon. Kadaga responded to questions raised by Members, reaffirming the Council of Ministers' commitment to transparency, prudent financial management, and the implementation of audit recommendations aimed at strengthening the performance of EAC institutions.

The EAC Secretary General also provided technical clarifications on administrative and financial matters, highlighting ongoing efforts by the Secretariat to improve internal controls and financial reporting systems.

Members of the Committee commended Rt. Hon. Kadaga for her leadership, experience, and steadfast commitment to advancing the East African integration agenda. As Chairperson of the EAC Council of Ministers, she continues to provide strategic leadership in driving policy coordination, harmonisation, and regional integration, reinforcing the Community's vision of a prosperous, competitive, secure, stable, and politically united East Africa.