BY THE ARUSHA NEWS REPORTER
Heads of State of the East African Community (EAC) are meeting here today, Saturday, March 7, 2026, with sources indicating that Uganda was likely to take over the position of Secretary General (SG) for the next five-year term.
Officials familiar with the discussions said a Ugandan was expected to succeed the outgoing SG, Ms Veronica Nduva of Kenya, in line with the bloc’s rotational practice. If confirmed by the Summit, the appointment would see Uganda assume leadership of the EAC Secretariat at a time when the Community grapples with financial difficulties, perhaps unlike ever before.
The SG serves as the chief executive officer of the Secretariat and is responsible for coordinating and overseeing the execution of decisions taken by the Summit and the Council of Ministers.
Sources also said Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan was expected to assume the Summit’s chair, taking over from Kenya’s President William Ruto, whose one year term has ended. The Chairman plays a central role in guiding the bloc’s political direction of the regional integration process.
The Summit is also expected to deliberate on how to strengthen the financing framework of the eight-nation intergovernmental organisation amid concerns over delayed statutory contributions and the need for more sustainable revenue mechanisms. The outcomes of today’s meeting are expected to shape both the leadership and financial trajectory of the Community in the coming years.
Meanwhile, revisiting stalled financing proposals, strengthening legal frameworks for privately funded infrastructure and considering reforms to the Treaty could help restore financial sustainability and accelerate regional integration within the EAC, according to the President of the EAC Think Tank Association (EACTTA), Mr Philip Wambugu. The Association is an independent NGO comprising former EAC staff.
In a letter submitted to EAC leaders ahead of today’s Summit, Mr Wambugu said many of the financial difficulties currently facing the Community stemmed from foundational decisions made during negotiations of the EAC Treaty. The Arusha News has seen a copy of the letter.
Mr Wambugu maintains that without predictable and sustainable financing mechanisms — including stronger regional investment frameworks — the Community risks slowing progress on its core mandates and long-term integration goals.
