Arusha, 16 January 2013: The East African Court of Justice will 13 February 2013 deliver its ruling on an application by the East African Law Society (EALS) seeking the Court’s permission to allow it to file additional video recorded evidence on the ‘Walk to Work’ case.

The subject matter of the case is the actions of the agents of the Government of Uganda on various groups of Ugandan citizens who decided to walk to work in protest against the high cost of fuel, transport and living.

The Attorney General of Uganda and the Secretary General of the East African Community are the respondents in the case filed by the regional bar association.

Before Court today, the Attorney General of the Republic of Uganda represented by Principal State Attorney Mr. Phillip Mwaka, prayed Court to dismiss the application with costs on grounds that, the evidence which has already been produced before the Court was sufficient and it was enough to prove any grounds raise in the reference. This was in response to EALS’ request to the EACJ First Instance Division to allow it to file additional video recorded evidence on the walk to work case.

The Application was heard by Judges Hon. Mr. Justice Johnston Busingye, Principal Judge, Hon. Mr. Justice John Mkwawa, and Hon. Mr. Justice Isaac Lenaola.

About the East African Court of Justice

The East African Court of Justice (EACJ or the Court), is one of the organs of the East African Community established under Article 9 of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community. Established in November 2001, the Court’s major responsibility is to ensure the adherence to law in the interpretation and application of and compliance with the EAC Treaty.

Any person who is resident in an EAC Partner State may refer for determination by the East African Court of Justice, the legality of any Act, directive, decision or action of a Partner State or an Institution of the Community on the grounds that such Act, regulation, directive or action is unlawful or is an infringement of the Treaty and proceedings are instituted within two months of the act complained of or of the day in which it came to his/her knowledge. The Court also has arbitration jurisdiction.

Decisions of the Court on the interpretation and application of the Treaty take precedence over decisions of national courts on a similar matter.

For more information please contact:

Prof. John Ruhangisa, Registrar
Email: ruhangisa@eachq.org

Ms. Geraldine Umugwaneza, Deputy Registrar
Email: umugwaneza@eachq.org

Owora Richard Othieno, Head of Department;
Corporate Communications and Public Affairs;
EAC Secretariat
Tel: +255 784 835021; Email: othieno@eachq.org

East African Court of Justice
Arusha, Tanzania
https://www.eacj.org/