Arusha. Uganda’s President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has assumed the chairmanship of the East African Community (EAC) Summit of Heads of State following a formal handover from Kenya’s President William Samoei Ruto.
The transition took place on March 7, 2026 during the 25th Ordinary Summit of EAC Heads of State held at the Arusha International Conference Centre in Arusha, northern Tanzania.
During the ceremony, President Ruto presented the instruments of office to President Museveni, marking the official transfer of leadership of the regional bloc’s highest decision-making organ.
The chairmanship of the summit rotates annually among leaders of the EAC partner states.
President Ruto completed his one-year tenure, which began in November 2024.
In his remarks during the handover, President Ruto said the orderly transition demonstrates the Community’s commitment to institutional procedures and regional cooperation.
He expressed confidence that President Museveni would continue advancing the bloc’s agenda of deeper integration and economic collaboration.
President Museveni takes charge of the summit at a time when the Community is expanding and addressing a wide range of regional issues.
The EAC currently comprises eight partner states: Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Somalia.
Leaders gathered in Arusha to deliberate on strengthening regional integration, improving economic cooperation and enhancing the welfare of citizens across the region.
The summit also reviewed progress in implementing community programmes and discussed key institutional matters affecting the bloc.
The EAC Summit is the top policy organ of the regional body.
It provides strategic direction for achieving the objectives of the Community, including trade integration, infrastructure development and closer political cooperation among partner states.
