Members of the East African Community (EAC) Affairs Committee have issued a pressing call for the establishment of a professional joint force at the region’s border entry points, citing worsening security threats and recurring cross-border tensions.
Presenting the committee’s findings on the 2025/2026 budget framework for the Ministry of East African Community Affairs, Committee Chairperson James Nsaba Buturo criticised the current peace and security protocols as ineffective and outdated.
He argued that a dedicated regional security force is essential to prevent ongoing border conflicts that continue to hamper integration and threaten the safety of citizens.
“Many border areas remain plagued by civil unrest and growing tensions, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, and Somalia,” Buturo told lawmakers.
He highlighted the plight of Ugandan cross-border traders, who he said have borne the brunt of the instability.
“They are persecuted, killed, their businesses sabotaged and destroyed,” he said, pointing to repeated incidents in Rwanda, the DRC, and South Sudan.
Other members of parliament echoed the concern. Lamwo County MP Jallon Okullo condemned what he described as territorial encroachment by South Sudanese nationals and urged the installation of clear boundary markers to delineate national borders.
Meanwhile, MP Fredrick Angura called for enhanced training and awareness among border officials, whom he accused of obstructing the free movement of people.
In response, Minister of State for EAC Affairs Ikuya Magode acknowledged the ongoing difficulties but assured parliament that efforts were underway to harmonise cross-border relations and uphold national sovereignty.
He stressed the importance of raising public awareness about the benefits of regional integration, which he admitted remain misunderstood by many.
The session concluded with a united call for stronger security collaboration and improved visibility of the EAC’s initiatives, aimed at addressing the expectations of citizens and fostering a more secure and integrated region.
