EAC dialogue puts spotlight on barriers to business mobility
Staicy Wagala, Team Leader, EU-EAC CORE Programme (C), Hon. Fred Mukasa Mbidde, Chairperson of the Committee of Communication Trade and Investments (3rd Left), Annette Mutaawe Ssemuwemba, the Deputy Secretary General, EAC Secretariat (3rd right), Luis Lechiguero, the EU Representative (2nd right), and other delegates from the East African Community pose for a photo during the Opening of the 2-day dialogue in Kampala.
Kampala, Uganda — The East African Community (EAC) this week brought together government officials and business leaders in Kampala to confront one of the bloc’s most stubborn integration challenges: the free movement of professionals across borders.
The two-day Public-Private Dialogue, held from September 11–12, was billed as the first of its kind and aimed at identifying practical solutions to long-standing restrictions on mobility within the region.
While the EAC’s Common Market Protocol promises free movement of persons, services, and labour, implementation has lagged. Intra-regional trade in services has risen by about 12% in the past five years, but fewer than 30,000 professionals are able to move and work across member states each year a fraction of the region’s skilled workforce.
Mutual Recognition Agreements in professions such as engineering and accountancy were intended to smooth this process, yet uptake remains uneven. Many professionals continue to face obstacles ranging from complex immigration procedures to inconsistent recognition of qualifications.
Officials and stakeholders in Kampala acknowledged these gaps and emphasized the need for reforms that would make mobility both easier and more secure. They pointed to digital systems, stronger coordination among immigration departments, and greater awareness campaigns as areas requiring urgent attention.
The dialogue also drew inspiration from international examples. Models like the European Union’s single-window service system and the APEC Business Travel Card were discussed as potential guides for the EAC, though participants stressed the importance of tailoring any solution to the region’s realities.
With support from the EU-funded CORE Programme, the EAC Secretariat pledged to continue working with partner states to turn commitments into concrete action. Deputy Secretary General Annette Ssemuwemba described business mobility as “a catalyst for innovation, job creation, and shared prosperity,” but warned that progress would depend on governments backing up regional pledges with domestic reforms.
For now, the Kampala meeting marks an important step in aligning political ambition with the practical needs of professionals and businesses navigating the region’s borders.
