According to the study findings from Afrobarometer data show that, majority of East African are in support of free movement of goods, services and labour with Uganda (79%), Tanzania (67%), and Kenya (52%). Data further reveals that less than one-half of the East African citizens (Uganda 31%, Tanzania 23% and Kenya 43%) are in favor of an East African Unitary government (Figure 1).
Respondents were asked: One of the key administrative organs of the East African Community is the East African Parliament, which is responsible for making common laws that will apply to all member states. How much have you heard about the East African Parliament? (% who say have ever heard a small amount, some, a great deal)
Respondents were asked: Please tell me if you approve or disapprove of each of the following proposed aspects of integration;
a) Free movement of goods, services and lobour.
b) Monetary union, that is, formation of a single East African currency.
c) Formation of a unity government having one East African President (% who say approve/strongly approve)
Respondents were asked: How much have you heard about the proposed federation of the East African Community? (% who say have ever heard a small amount, some or a great deal)
Respondents were asked: Which of the following statements is closest to your view?
- The Parliament should continue to choose representatives to the East African Parliament because they know the needs of the East African Community better than ordinary people.
- Representatives to the East African Parliament should be elected directly by the ordinary people. (% who say agree/strongly agree with parliament)
Afrobarometer Surveys
Afrobarometer is a pan-African, nonpartisan survey research network that provides reliable data on African experiences and evaluations of democracy, governance, and quality of life. Nine rounds of surveys have been completed in up to 42 countries since 1999. Afrobarometer conducts face-to-face interviews in the language of the respondent’s choice. Previous surveys have been conducted in 2000, 2002, 2005, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2022 and 2023. However for Round 9 were conducted in Uganda (2022), Tanzania (2022), and Kenya (2021).
The situation looks to be similar or less in other member states people’s perceptions. This begs the question whether we are integrating people or countries?
It is against this background, the Citizen mass campaign was launched as part of our advocacy and communication strategy to fill the gap of information sharing from key different entities of EAC to the final consumer (CITIZENS).This will captivate the charisma of our people to appreciate and participate in integration process.