East African Court to sit in Uganda next month to hear cases

This development is in line with the Court’s plan to move away from its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania, in order to conduct its business in East African Community member states where it shall sit and adjudicate matters.

“Last year we were in Burundi and decided this year the court will sit in Burundi. The court belongs to the people of East Africa and the court must be brought near the people,” Justice Nestor Kayobera, the president of the East African Court of Justice.

The justice revealed this plan during a training session for journalists on the operations of the East African Court of Justice held at Mestil Hotel in Kampala on Tuesday.

Kayobera said the court shall have sittings in Kampala between November 2 and December 2 so as to handle a number of appeals and cases filed before it.

“We will be sitting in the Commercial Court of Uganda for one month. The court session will be for matters coming from al partner states and not only Uganda. Journalists will also be allowed in to ensure they relay what the court is doing to members of the public,” he said.

Amongst the cases to be adjudicated upon, human rights, implementing the East African community agenda, cross border issues and integration will be cardinal.

On the training of journalists, Kayobera said scribes should have a working knowledge about the workings of the regional court to enable them better explain to a discerning public what the East African Community is about and thereby help foster regional integration.