News and Events

IUIU presented at the East African Community Conference 2025 in Mogadishu

• 10th October, 2025 1:53pm

The Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU) participated in the East African Community Conference 2025, themed “Advancing Productive Sector Cooperation for Socio economic Transformation in the EAC”, held in Mogadishu, Somalia, on 7th–8th October 2025.

The conference brought together key dignitaries, including H.E. the President of Somalia, Deputy Secretary General of the East African Community, Rector of SIMAD University, Minister of Public Works, Minister of Finance, Rector of Somali National University, President of East African Quality Assurance, Minister of Education, Culture, and Higher Education of Somalia, Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation, Dr. René Brosious (University of Bayreuth, Germany), CEO of GSP Group, Chairperson of Somali Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Ambassadors from various countries, and other regional leaders. The President of Somalia, together with other dignitaries, officially launched the East African Community AI Alliance during the event.

IUIU was represented by Dr. Jamil Serwanga, Vice Rector of Academic Affairs, Ms. Nagadya Hamidah, Lecturer at the Faculty of Law, Mr. Luwemba Musa Maswanku, Lecturer and Head of the Department of Political Science, and Abukenya Aida, Administrative Officer IUIU. 
Dr. Jamil Serwanga, Vice Rector of Academic Affairs, emphasized the importance of adopting a competence-based curriculum and called on universities to align their programs with regional and industry needs during the Executive Roundtable on Higher Education.

Ms. Nagadya Hamidah, Lecturer at the Faculty of Law and member of EALS Committees on Trade & Regional Integration, Banking & Finance, presented “Rethinking Legal Mechanisms for the Elimination of Non-Tariff Barriers in the East African Community.” Her study highlighted weak enforcement of NTB elimination laws due to the lack of an EAC organ with enforcement powers, political reluctance, institutional overlaps, and limited sanctions.

She recommended amending the Treaty for the Establishment of the EAC or the EAC Customs Management Act, establishing an Alternative Dispute Resolution Panel, introducing an NTB Compliance Scorecard, harmonizing policies, leveraging AI, developing digital infrastructure, and conducting continuous sensitization.

Mr. Luwemba Musa Maswanku, Lecturer and Head of Department of Political Science, presented “Agro-Industrial Parks and Regional Integration: Opportunities for Inclusive Rural Development The Ugandan Case.” His study concluded that Agro-Industrial Parks (AIPs) are strategic tools for transforming rural economies, increasing household incomes, creating employment, and positioning Uganda as a competitive EAC player, thereby promoting inclusive rural development and regional economic integration.

IUIU congratulates Dr. Jamil Serwanga, Ms. Nagadya Hamidah, Mr. Luwemba Musa Maswanku, and Nabukenya Aida for their outstanding contributions to regional legal reform, higher education innovation, agro-industrial development, and academic excellence.