Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda, Rt. Hon. Jacob Marksons Oboth Oboth, has called for deeper regional cooperation among East African countries as he concluded a working visit to Arusha, Tanzania.

Oboth Oboth joined Speakers from East African Community (EAC) Partner States for discussions on issues affecting national parliaments and the future of regional integration.

The meeting also focused on preparations for the 16th EAC Inter-Parliamentary Games, which are scheduled to be hosted in Arusha later this year. The East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) has separately confirmed preparations for the 16th edition of the games in Arusha.

During the meeting, Oboth said East African countries have a shared responsibility to strengthen cooperation while respecting the identities of individual Partner States. “We did not choose to be East Africans; East Africa chose us,”

Oboth said, echoing remarks by Kenya's National Assembly Speaker, Rt. Hon. Dr. Moses Wetang'ula.

He stressed that national parliaments have an important role to play in shaping the vision of individual countries as well as the wider East African region.

According to Oboth, the commitment shown by EAC Partner States in Arusha provides an opportunity for national legislatures to contribute more effectively to regional integration.

The Ugandan Speaker also clarified that the regional agenda should not be confused with the unification of East African countries.

“We are not asking for the unification of East Africa,” Oboth said, explaining that unity would mean countries agreeing to become one, while integration allows countries to participate in common interests while retaining their distinct identities.

He pointed to the defence and security sector as an example of an area where regional cooperation has already made significant progress.

According to Oboth, the experience of the defence sector demonstrates that deeper cooperation among EAC Partner States is possible.

Oboth described the Arusha gathering as his first EAC Bureau meeting and noted that he was among the newer Speakers at the table.

He said the Speaker of Somalia was also relatively new in office, having served for about two months compared with his own three-and-a-half months.

The two leaders also share a background in defence, having previously served as ministers responsible for defence.

Oboth joked that their journey from defence ministries to parliamentary leadership could give the impression that becoming a Speaker requires first serving as a defence minister.

However, he said their shared experience gives them valuable knowledge of defence and security issues affecting the East African Community.

The Ugandan Speaker also reaffirmed Uganda's commitment to the EAC Inter-Parliamentary Games.

He recalled a previous sporting rivalry between Uganda and Kenya, saying Uganda had travelled to Mombasa and defeated Kenya before Kenya later came to Uganda and secured its revenge.

For Oboth, that competitive spirit captures the purpose of the games: strengthening relationships and cooperation among legislators while allowing Partner States to compete in a friendly environment.

“We shall be in Arusha to bring the trophy home,” he said.

The EALA has confirmed that the 16th edition of the EAC Inter-Parliamentary Games will be hosted in Arusha, continuing the tradition of using the games to bring together lawmakers from across the region.

Oboth's visit comes as EAC parliamentary institutions continue efforts to strengthen cooperation and advance regional integration.

The EAC Speakers' Bureau provides a platform for Speakers of national parliaments and EALA to discuss matters affecting parliamentary cooperation and the wider integration agenda. The latest Arusha engagements have also highlighted the importance of cooperation among regional legislatures.

For Uganda, Oboth's message is that regional integration does not require countries to surrender their identities. Instead, he argues, Partner States can work together on issues of common interest while maintaining their national identities.

As preparations continue for the Inter-Parliamentary Games in Arusha, Uganda is expected to participate with the same competitive spirit that has characterised previous editions.

For Oboth Oboth, the message from Arusha is, stronger parliamentary cooperation can help build a more integrated East Africa, while allowing each country to remain uniquely itself.