The Ugandan head of state, President Yoweri Museveni has applauded the East African Community for projects under the Northern Corridor Integration Projects that is spurring regional development.
While addressing the 14th Northern Corridor Integration Projects Summit at Safari Park Hotel in Nairobi Kenya on Tuesday, Mr Museveni said: "I am happy because for the last 50 years I have been working on these projects with elders like Mzee Kenyatta, Nyerere, Obote."
The Northern Corridor Integration Projects (NCIP) is a multilateral development initiative established in 2013 and is aimed at speeding up development in the region particularly the improvement of infrastructure for ease of movement of people, goods and services in the region.
While speaking on a raft of undertakings under NCIP, President Museveni began by directing the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) to begin 24-hour operations to avoid delays especially at the borders.
"I want to apologize on behalf of Ugandans. Since Uhuru (Kenyatta) came, things have been moving fast. But Uganda Revenue Authority works half a day. I am embarrassed on their behalf. They must work 24 hours," said the President.
On the electricity line to Rwanda through Mirama Hills, President Museveni announced that the project was 75 percent complete and would be fully operational by this October.
The President also commended his Kenyan counterpart Mr. Kenyatta for developing the Kisumu Port, saying a developed water transport system would greatly cut down on business costs.
"Uganda is doing something near Entebbe and I know that Rwanda is also doing something too. We should be able to go down on water from Lake Victoria to River Kagera," he said.
The President, who challenged technocrats to pay attention to this Victoria-Kagera water project, said it had the possibility of causing exploitation of iron ore in the area.
"A good water transport system would help this project of steel which currently cannot take off because of cost. We have no coal in Uganda but there is abundant gas in Rwanda in Lake Kivu. Subsequent meetings should look at integrating these sectors," said the President.
Speaking about the gains of an integrated community so far, President Museveni said Uganda was reaping by being able to sell its surplus milk (1.7 billion litres) and excess maize (4 million tonnes) to its neighbors.
