By Shadrach Bethel,

The First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for EAC Affairs, Rebecca Kadaga has said Uganda badly needs East African integration for its own development.

Kadaga was on yesterday afternoon giving a key note address as part of the activities to mark the centenary celebrations for Makerere University where she siad Uganda being landlocked now has two options in Kenya and Tanzania to access the sea and with the joining of DRC, we will also have chance to have access to the Atlantic Ocean.

The Minister for East African affairs noted that integration will see increased investments and competition but will also help the country and region at large in terms of security.

Kadaga however noted that some practices by individual countries like protectionism threaten the achievements of the East African Community.