The 2026 Digital for Development (D4D) Forum has concluded in Arusha, reaffirming the EAC’s commitment to building a seamless and inclusive Digital Single Market.
Over two days, regional policymakers, regulators, parliamentarians, central banks, private sector leaders, civil society and development partners explored practical pathways to translate regional digital strategies into actions that deliver real benefits for citizens and businesses.
☘️The Forum advanced discussions on interoperable payment systems, digital public services and e-commerce ecosystems that will facilitate cross-border trade, reduce transaction costs, expand access to services and unlock new opportunities for innovation and growth across East Africa.
🔹EAC Deputy SG for Customs, Trade and Monetary Affairs, @SMannette1 shared that digital transformation is essential for accelerating regional integration, expanding trade opportunities and ensuring that citizens and businesses benefit from a connected and interoperable digital market.
🔹On her part, Ms. Paola Trevisan, Acting Head of Cooperation, European Union
Delegation to Tanzania and the EAC, @EUinTZ reaffirmed the EU's commitment to a long-term, mutually beneficial digital partnership with the EAC, anchored in the EU’s Global Gateway strategy and the EU Tech Offer, which brings European expertise, standards and investment to support partner regions.
@eacgiz@EUEACprogramme
📍Huye, Rwanda
☘️National consultations on the East African Political Confederation continue to attract strong interest and participation from a broad spectrum of stakeholders, including the business community, government leaders, civil society organisations, youth, women, persons with disabilities, religious leaders and academia.
🔹The consultations provide a platform for citizens and stakeholders to share their views on the proposed Political Confederation, particularly its areas of cooperation, governance framework, decision-making processes, guiding principles, and the relationship between the Confederal Authority and Partner States.
🔹Their contributions will help inform the development of the Confederation’s constitutional framework.
In Rwanda’s north-eastern district of Nyagatare, bordering Uganda and Tanzania, citizens continue to shape the conversation on the East African Political Confederation.
🔹 Across all discussions, participants reaffirmed the importance of cooperation grounded in mutual respect and the sovereignty of Partner States.
☘️ As the consultations near their conclusion, it is increasingly evident that citizens view deeper regional integration as a pathway to expanded opportunity, shared prosperity, and collective progress.
@EACJCourt@EA_Bunge@AguerAriik@RwandaMFA
FUFA President on Uganda U17 Teen Cranes defending successfully the 2026 CECAFA title
‘Congratulations to our Uganda U17 Teen Cranes for beating Tanzania. You continue to make the nation proud. The victory is a story of deliberate investment, partnerships and leadership since 2013. The credit does not belong to FUFA alone, this growth is a shared win for Government, FIFA, CAF, USSSA, clubs, schools and academies working in the same direction’
🌍 The #EAC has intensified efforts to build a #SingleDigitalMarket by convening the 2026 Digital for Development (#D4D) Forum under the theme: “From Strategy to Implementation: Building the Digital Single Market.”
The Forum is advancing practical actions to make cross-border payments cheaper, digital services more accessible, and e-commerce more seamless across the region. Participants also identified investment-ready projects in digital public infrastructure, data sharing, e-government and interoperable payment systems that will benefit over 330 million East Africans.
The Forum also marks the launch of the EU–EAC Digital Economy, E-Commerce, E-Payments and Public E-Services (#DEEP) Programme, co-financed by the EU, Germany, France and Estonia.
The programme will support implementation of regional digital policies, strengthen e-commerce, e-payments, cybersecurity and e-government services, and accelerate digital trade and economic growth across East Africa.
“Digital transformation is no longer an option; it is a necessity for accelerating regional integration and expanding trade opportunities.” — DSG Annette Ssemuwemba @SMannette1.
🔗 Read more: https://t.co/9jPENQ4IRe
#D4D2026 #DigitalTransformation #RegionalIntegration #DigitalTrade Single
*🚨 TRAFFICKING FACT MONDAY 🚨*
*Did you know?*
Many victims of human trafficking are recruited through promises of good jobs, education opportunities, or a better life. What starts as a dream opportunity can sometimes lead to exploitation and and abuse.
#YATIP
Charles Rwomushana @rwomchechen is a proud Old Boy of Mbarara High School.
He joined Chaapa in Senior Five in 1989 and is remembered for his bold, questioning spirit from his student days.
He first showed leadership as Head Prefect at Bugangari SS. He later helped organise the Makerere University Needy Students’ Association, and rose to become Makerere University Guild President in 1992/93.
He went on to serve as a Constituent Assembly Delegate for Rujumbura County, contributing to the making of Uganda’s 1995 Constitution.
He later served as Resident District Commissioner of Pader District and headed the Political Intelligence Desk under the Internal Security Organisation. A fearless debater, public intellectual and commentator — once a Bull, always a Bull.
#WinningTogether
#MugumeN’amaani
A Message of Profound Gratitude to H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni!
Your Excellency, President of the Republic of Uganda, General (Rtd) Yoweri Kaguta Museveni,
I receive with profound humility, immense gratitude, and an unwavering sense of patriotic duty Your Excellency’s gracious appointment of my person as Minister in the Office of the President in Charge of Science, Technology and Innovation.
This singular honour is not merely an elevation to public office; it is a solemn national trust, a call to stewardship, and a compelling mandate to contribute to Uganda’s scientific renaissance under your visionary leadership. I am deeply grateful for the confidence you have reposed in me and for the opportunity to serve our beloved nation at a defining moment in its transformation journey.
Your Excellency’s enduring commitment to science, technology, innovation, and knowledge-driven development has fundamentally reshaped Uganda’s development trajectory. Long before technological advancement became a global imperative, you recognized its strategic significance as a catalyst for national sovereignty, industrialization, wealth creation, and socio-economic transformation. Your foresight has inspired a generation of innovators, researchers, engineers, entrepreneurs, and young Ugandans to believe that the future can indeed be designed, engineered, and built by Ugandans themselves.
As I assume this responsibility, I do so with a clear appreciation of the magnitude of the task before us. The future of nations will increasingly be determined by their capacity to generate knowledge, harness emerging technologies, accelerate innovation ecosystems, strengthen research and development, and translate scientific discoveries into tangible solutions for their people. Uganda must not merely participate in this future; Uganda must help shape it.
I therefore pledge my utmost dedication to advancing Your Excellency’s vision of a scientifically empowered, technologically competitive, innovation-driven, and industrialized Uganda. I am committed to fostering stronger linkages between research institutions, academia, industry, government, and the private sector; promoting indigenous innovation; supporting transformative technologies; and ensuring that scientific advancement becomes an instrument of inclusive prosperity and national progress.
I also extend my sincere appreciation to the Government of Uganda, colleagues, mentors, scientists, innovators, engineers, development partners, and all Ugandans whose collective efforts continue to strengthen our national innovation ecosystem. This appointment is a reminder that leadership is most meaningful when it is exercised in service of others and in pursuit of a purpose greater than oneself.
To the young people of Uganda, this moment is a testament to the limitless possibilities that emerge when talent, discipline, knowledge, innovation, and patriotism converge. Let us continue to dream boldly, innovate fearlessly, and work tirelessly for the advancement of our nation.
Your Excellency, I am profoundly honoured by your trust. May God grant me the wisdom to lead, the courage to innovate, the discipline to serve, and the resolve to contribute meaningfully to the realization of Uganda’s transformation agenda.
For God and My Country.
Eng. Jonard Asiimwe Akiki
Minister in the Office of the President in Charge of Science, Technology and Innovation - Republic of Uganda 🇺🇬
Congratulations @RebeccaKadagaUG on your re-appointment as Uganda’s 1st Dep. Prime Minister & Minister in charge of EAC Affairs.
This is a testament to the confidence placed in your solid experience and steadfast leadership in advancing the East African integration agenda.
@ArushaUganda@StateHouseUg@meaca_ug
The initiative also aims to encourage the adoption of internationally recognised standards, strengthen innovation and improve market access for businesses across the region. The announcement was made during the 28th Meeting of the East African Standards Committee (EASC) held in Arusha, Tanzania.
The initiative is supported by the European Union through the EU-EAC Market Access Upgrade Programme (MARKUP II), implemented by the
International Trade Centre (ITC), in collaboration with regional and national stakeholders including the East African Business Council (EABC).
𝐄𝐀𝐂 𝐀𝐍𝐍𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐂𝐄𝐒 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐑𝐄𝐆𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐋 𝐐𝐔𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐀𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐃𝐒 𝐓𝐎 𝐇𝐎𝐍𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐓
𝐀𝐅𝐑𝐈𝐂𝐀’𝐒 𝐓𝐎𝐏 𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐒𝐄𝐒
The EAC has today officially announced the upcoming 2026 EAC Regional Quality
Awards set to fete outstanding enterprises across the region that demonstrate
excellence in quality management, standards compliance, innovation and continuous improvement.
The Awards seek to promote a strong culture of quality among East African
enterprises, enhance the competitiveness of locally produced goods and services,
facilitate regional trade, and support deeper regional integration.
@ITCnews@eacmarkup@KanaFlash@EABCjumuiya@EUinTZ
From Uganda 🇺🇬 to Hong Kong 🇭🇰, @EngJonard (NRM Western Region Vice Chairperson) is representing Africa at the Space Technology Conference Week.
He is taking part in high-level sessions on space exploration and astronomy, with a focus on translating knowledge into practical solutions for Earth observation, climate resilience, communication systems, and scientific advancement.
The message is clear: Africa is not catching up — Africa is contributing, innovating, and shaping the future of global technology.
#SpaceTech #AfricaRising #Innovation #Science #GlobalLeadership
This morning, I joined colleagues and regional stakeholders at Hotel Africana 🇺🇬 for the official opening of the Regional Validation Workshop on the EAC Artificial Intelligence Strategy (2026–2031), convened by @easteco1 in collaboration with @jumuiya and @eacgiz.
This workshop provides a critical regional platform to review and validate a common framework for the responsible, inclusive, and ethical development, governance, and deployment of Artificial Intelligence across East Africa. It comes at a time when there is growing continental momentum to harness AI for development—while also addressing risks such as algorithmic bias, privacy concerns, job displacement, and digital inequality.