Aspiring East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) candidate, Balya Beatrice Karungi, has outlined her vision to strengthen regional integration through community engagement and media-driven sensitization, citing a gap in social unity across East African partner states.
Balya Beatrice Karungi, an aspiring Member of Parliament for the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), has declared her bid with a strong call for deeper regional unity, emphasizing the need to bridge the gap between leadership and citizens within the East African Community (EAC).
In an exclusive interview with our reporter, Karungi described herself as a patriotic and service delivery-oriented person driven by a deep love for Uganda and Africa at large.
“I love my nation, I love my party and I love to be called African. I am a proactive, service delivery-oriented person and I believe I have a role to play in advancing the Interests of our national at the regional level.”
Karungi said her decision to join the race was inspired by what she described as loopholes in the current integration process of the East African Community. While acknowledging progress in key pillars such as the Customs Union, Common Market, and Monetary Union, she argued that social integration remains largely unaddressed.
“When you look at the four core pillars of the East African Community, the first three have been worked on, but the political federation is still lagging because the community is not fully involved,” she explained.
She stressed that successful regional integration cannot be achieved without the active participation of citizens.
“There is no way you can dictate leadership to people who do not feel part of the process. The community must be included, there is no power without the community and when people speak, leaders will listen.” Karungi said.
To address this gap, Karungi proposed an ambitious plan centered on mass sensitization and mobilization using media platforms. She revealed plans to advocate for the establishment of a dedicated East African television channel focusing on East African affairs.
“I want to advocate for one TV channel across East Africa that will focus on community issues, educate people and promote unity, trade and development,” she said. “Media is a powerful tool that can connect leaders to the people.”
Karungi also highlighted the importance of fostering a shared East African identity, noting that many citizens still identify more with their individual countries than the region as a whole.
“We need to teach people to love the East African Community, to see themselves as one. Social integration is the foundation for everything else,” she noted.
On economic development, she praised previous EALA efforts, particularly in easing cross-border movement using national identification. However, she called for faster implementation of existing policies to boost trade and employment.
“We have signed agreements, but implementation is still slow. We need to move from talking to action,” she said.
Karungi further proposed the idea of a unified regional security framework and increased cooperation among partner states to safeguard shared resources and borders.
“If we are to remove borders, we must also think about security. A united region must be able to protect itself with a unified force,” she added.
She also expressed support for a phased approach towards a visa-free Africa, starting with the East African region.
“We must take one step at a time. Let us begin with East Africa and others will follow,” she said.
Karungi has also called upon Ugandans and East Africans to support her candidacy, emphasizing that her vision is rooted in unity, empowerment and transformation.
“This is a dream that needs all of us. I call upon everyone to support me and be part of building a united East Africa,” she said.
