Stakeholders urge EACJ to enforce treaty obligations while addressing regional challenges

During the 3rd EACJ Conference, Uganda’s Attorney General, Kiryowa Kiwanuka, warned that failing to acknowledge the challenges faced by individual states could undermine regional stability.  

"Member states must abide by the treaties they have ratified," he stated during the deliberations.

 "While we recognize that each country faces unique challenges, non-compliance or misinterpretation of agreements could lead to legal and diplomatic disputes."  

Kiwanuka emphasized that discussions on treaty enforcement must be grounded in reality to ensure that policies do not infringe on the sovereignty or rights of other member states.  

“It is not enough to hold discussions without considering the real implications,” he noted.  

In his view, the court’s role is to ensure that commitments are honored without causing harm to fellow states.  

"Whether I agree or not agree I must accept,....the partner states does not have the liberty not to agree, not to accept," he said

Attorney Generals of member states were also encouraged to engage in continuous dialogue to resolve disputes and reinforce compliance with regional agreements.  

The EACJ has gained respect for its rulings, with cases such as those involving Martha Karua and Professor Anyang’ Nyong’o often cited as examples of its influence on national judicial systems.