EALA Passes Supplementary Budget for FY 2025/2026 & Chair Council of Ministers Lays EAC Budget for FY 2026/2027

By Asante Times Admin 

 

Arusha, Tanzania: The East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) has passed the Supplementary Appropriation Bill for FY 2025/2026, authorizing an additional  USD 4.74 million to support urgent priorities across the East African Community (EAC).  

 

✨ Highlights of the Supplementary Budget:

- EAC Secretariat: USD 2.26M for pandemic response, trade integration, ICT, and global environmental programs  

- Lake Victoria Fisheries Organization: USD 1.37M for fisheries management, aquaculture, and food security  

- Lake Victoria Basin Commission: USD 470K for climate resilience and maritime initiatives  

- East African Science & Technology Commission: USD 644K for innovation, digital skills, and youth/women entrepreneurship  

 

📌 The supplementary budget represents 4.4% of the total FY 2025/2026 budget, staying within the legal ceiling of 5% under the EAC Budget Act.  

 

⚠️ Key Concerns Raised:  

- Heavy reliance on donor funding (88% of supplementary funds)  

- Retrospective approval of some activities already implemented  

- Unequal distribution of resources, with no allocations to EALA or the East African Court of Justice  

- Limited time left in the financial year for implementation  

 

✅ Recommendations Adopted:  

- Reduce dependency on external funding  

- Prioritize projects with measurable impact  

- Ensure strict compliance with budgetary procedures  

- Enhance transparency, accountability, and timely implementation  

- Strengthen oversight roles of EALA and the East African Court of Justice  

 

 Rt. Hon. Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga, Chair of the EAC Council of Ministers, laid the USD 110.86M EAC Budget for FY 2026/2027, the first under the new 7th EAC Development Strategy (2026/27–2030/31) themed “Deepening Integration for Improved Livelihoods of EAC Citizens.” 

 

The House resumes today to deliberate and pass the proposed budget in detail.