Uganda is to nominate a new official to replace the East African Community (EAC) deputy secretary general (Political Federation), Beatrice Kiraso, who is stepping down next week.The name of the new official will be communicated to the 24th Extra-Ordinary Meeting of the EAC council of ministers scheduled for this week in Arusha for consideration.The Council of ministers, which is the policy organ of the Community, will later forward the name to the Heads of State summit scheduled to take place in Arusha on April 8, the regional organisation said in a statement.Kiraso was appointed the deputy SG of the Community in April 2006 and has served a maximum of a two terms of three years each as required under the EAC Treaty.During her tenure, she spearheaded efforts towards the envisaged EAC Political Federation albeit with little success because of what she often attributes to lack of seriousness on the part of some policy makers in the region.However, her efforts had seen considerable breakthroughs in pushing for matters pertaining to good governance, peace and security, rule of law, human rights and crusade against corruption, among others. Deputy Secretary generals are among the political appointees of the EAC besides the secretary general, who is the chief executive officer of the regional body. They are appointed by the regional leaders.Under the Treaty, a member country whose national is the SG does not have to produce a deputy SG in the line up. The rest of the deputy SGs will come from the four other states.
