Kampala, Uganda | URN | Regional integration is crucial for the survival of East Africans, President Yoweri Museveni has noted.
According to President Museveni, the region provides a bigger market compared to individual member states.
He was addressing teams participating in the President Yoweri Museveni at the MTN Arena Lugogo on Tuesday 17th, December 2019.
Mr Museveni noted that the East African Community (EAC) with six states has to deepen integration for East Africans to survive.
President Museveni explained that he showed up for the games to signify his respect and strong belief in East African integration. Official figures show that East African Community has 177 million citizens and a combined Gross Domestic Product of US$193 billion with potential for growth.
Mr Museveni made his speech after watching the first set of the women’s volleyball match between Uganda and Tanzania. Uganda won it 25-14. He said that he last watched volleyball in 1967 and that he only thought footballers employ several skills to win.
He however noted that he is not bothered whether Tanzania wins because he is Ugandan and also Tanzanian. Earlier, the Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga noted that teams from Rwanda and South Sudan skipped the games without giving any reasons.
