East African Court of Justice Seeks Expanded Mandate to Handle Trade Disputes

The East African Court of Justice (EACJ) is marking 25 years of operation, and as part of the celebrations, it is seeking an expanded judicial mandate to handle disputes arising from regional trade, investment, and financial transactions. This move is aimed at strengthening the Court's role in advancing economic integration across the East African Community (EAC) bloc. The proposed expansion of its jurisdiction will be among the key issues discussed as the Court meets stakeholders in Arusha to review its achievements, institutional challenges, and future priorities.

The EACJ President, Justice Nestor Kayobera, said the milestone offered an opportunity for East Africans to celebrate the institution's journey while critically examining its performance and areas requiring improvement. He invited the people of East Africa to celebrate this journey and question its performance, adding that a great court does not fear scrutiny; it grows through criticism. The celebrations, scheduled for November 12, 2026, at the EAC headquarters, will also feature the launch of the EACJ Strategic Plan for 2026/27 to 2031/32.

The proposed expansion comes against the backdrop of growing economic cooperation among the EAC's eight partner states, which has increased the need for effective mechanisms to resolve cross-border commercial disputes. As the Community's principal judicial organ, the EACJ is mandated to ensure adherence to the law in the interpretation and application of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community and to determine disputes arising from its provisions.

Lawyer Fulgence Massawe, Director of Advocacy and Access to Justice at the Legal and Human Rights Centre (LHRC), said the Court had demonstrated its independence through decisions delivered in line with the objectives for which it was established. However, he warned that inadequate financial resources were contributing to a growing backlog of cases, potentially delaying access to justice.

Massawe also called for a stronger legal framework to compel partner states to implement the Court's decisions, arguing that judgments risk losing their practical significance when governments fail to enforce them. He said effective enforcement mechanisms were essential to ensuring that the Court's rulings translated into tangible justice for citizens and institutions across the region.

The official opening is expected to be presided over by Uganda's First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for East African Community Affairs, Rebecca Kadaga, who also chairs the EAC Council of Ministers. Other speakers will include EAC Secretary-General Stephen Mbundi, the Chief Justices of Tanzania and Malawi, as well as other regional and national leaders.

Justice Kayobera attributed the Court's progress over the past 25 years to the commitment of partner states, citizens, and development partners, including the Raoul Wallenberg Institute, Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, and the East African Law Society (EALS). The Court's anniversary will bring together legal practitioners, policymakers, and other stakeholders to assess the Court's contribution to regional integration and access to justice.

Key points

• The East African Court of Justice is seeking an expanded mandate to handle trade and investment disputes in the region.
• The proposed expansion is aimed at strengthening the Court's role in advancing economic integration across the East African Community bloc.
• The Court's 25th anniversary celebrations will feature the launch of its Strategic Plan for 2026/27 to 2031/32.