Arusha, 4 December 2013:The East African Court of Justice, on the 15th Ordinary Summit of the EAC Heads of State that took place on 30th November 2013 at Speke Resort and Conference Centre,in Kampala,Uganda, appointed Dr. Emmanuel Ugirashebuja from the Republic of Rwanda Judge of the East African Court of Justice (Appellate Division) to replace Hon. Lady Justice Emily Rusera Kayitesi who resigned.
The Summit also appointed Hon. Lady Justice Monica Mugenyi from the Republic of Uganda Judge of the East African Court of Justice (First Instance Division) to replace Hon. Lady Justice Mary Stella Arach Amoko, who also served as Deputy Principal Judge who retired.
The Summit designated Hon. Mr. Justice Isaac Lenaola from the Republic of Kenya as Deputy Principal Judge to replace Hon. Lady Justice Mary Stella Arach Amoko. Both the designation and appointment took effect from 1st December 2013.
Her Lordship Justice, Stella Arach was appointed Judge of EACJ in June 2006 and as a Deputy Principal Judge of the First Instance Division in November 2008, she therefore served for seven years (7) at the East African Court of Justice. Justice Arach currently serves as a Judge of the Supreme Court Uganda.
Her Lordship Justice, Emily Kayitesi from the Republic of Rwanda was appointed Judge of Appeal on EACJ Appellate Division in June 2008 up to November 2013 when she has resigned. She therefore served for five (5) years only. Justice Kayitesi is currently a Judge of the Supreme Court of Rwanda.
His Lordship Justice Isaac Lenaola was appointed Judge of EACJ, First Instance Division in May 2011 up-to-date when he is appointed a Deputy Principal Judge of the same Division.
The Judge President of the Court Hon. Mr. Justice Harold Nsekela congratulates them upon their new appointment and welcomes them to the EACJ family and hopes for good cooperation in implementing the role of the Court; to ensure adherence to law in interpretation and application and compliance with the Treaty for the establishment of East African Community.
His Lordship Justice Nsekela also congratulated Justice Lenaola upon His new designation of his new office of the Deputy Principal Judge of the First Instance Division and that the Court expects a lot from his service delivery. He also appreciated Hon. Lady Justices, Kayitesi and Arach for the great services rendered to EACJ and wished them well in their endeavors. He further congratulated Justice Stella Arach upon her recent elevation from the High Court to the Supreme Court Judge of the Republic of Uganda.
The new appointed Judges and the Deputy Principal Judge will report on duty when they have business in Court, as they are on ad-hoc nature of work from their National Courts.
The Summit also approved the Council recommendation to extend the jurisdiction of the East African Court of Justice to cover trade and investment as well as matters associated with the East African Monetary Union. On Human Rights matters as well as crimes against humanity, the Summit directed the Council of Ministers to work with the African Union on this matter.
Article 27 of the Treaty for establishment of the East African Community
Jurisdiction of the Court
1. The Court shall initially have jurisdiction over the interpretation and application of this Treaty: Provided that the Court’s jurisdiction to interpret under this paragraph shall not include the application of any such interpretation to jurisdiction conferred by the Treaty on organs of Partner States.
2. The Court shall have such other original, appellate, human right s and other jurisdiction a s will be determined by the Council a t a suitable subsequent date. To this end, the Partner States shall conclude a protocol to operationalise the extended jurisdiction.
Their Excellencies, all present were, Uhuru Kenyatta President of the Republic of Kenya and Chair of the Summit of Heads of State, President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete of the United Republic of Tanzania, and President Pierre Nkurunziza of the Republic of Burundi, President Paul Kagame of the Republic of Rwanda, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni of the Republic of Uganda outgoing Chair and host of the Summit.
About the EACJ:
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.
Arusha is the temporary seat of the Court until the Summit determines its permanent seat. The High Courts of the Partner States serve as sub-registries.
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/