UMI with support from the Government has unveiled a brand new course on the integration of the East African Community. The course  targeting government officials and leaders of civil society organizations and privite players was unveiled on Tuesday, May 30^TH at the main campus on Jinja Road, Kampala.

Dr. James Nkata, the Director General UMI revealed that the integration course is targeting leaders including strategic level executives, and operational level public officials from all EAC member states. Development of the course, he said , was backed by President Museveni and is partly funded by the Ministry of East African Community Affairs. ‘’With this course, Uganda and UMI in paticular will become a regional centre for training in EAC integration,’’ Nkata said.

‘’The Ministry of EAC Affairs has also offered to support the transition of training from the short course to post graduated diploma and a Masters level. We shall undertake and promote research, training and innovations in regional integration across the countries,’’ The course will cover areas ranging from the historical background of the EAC regional integration, geo-politics, conflict resolution, peace building and security, managing cross border natural resources, regional infrastructure development projects, migration, and social services among others.

At the lauch, UMI also held a public lecture on Uganda,s contribution to the socio-economic development of the East African Community, which was delivered by Mrs. Muita Wanjiru, the ED EAC-CASSOA who represtented Hon. Dr. Mutuku Mathuki, the EAC secretary General.

Discussants included former EALA Speaker Margret Nantongo Zziwa, UPDF Spolesman Brig Felix Kulayigye, and John Bosco Kalisa the ED East Africa Business Council and UMI’s Prof Gerald Karyeija.

On her part, the Chief Guest and Minister for EAC Affairs Hon. Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga, who, who was represented by junior minister John Mulimba stressed the importance of regional economic integration of regional economic integration. ‘’ we can not gaurantee our prosperity if we don’t solve the issue of small and fragmented markets,’’  the minister emphasized.

‘’The internal market of Uganda is not enough to support our prosperity ; the future lies in an integrated East Africa’’