Participants in a group photo
Judges and Magistrates in East Africa under their umbrella organisation, East African Magistrates and Judges Association (EAMJA) gathered in Kigali for their 14th Conference and Annual General Meeting.
The three day meeting which was held between November 22 and 24, 2017 was held under the theme: "Enhancing the use of ICT for an Effective, Efficient,Transparent and Accountable Administration of Courts in East Africa."
The Ugandan delegation comprising of Justices, Judges, Registrars and Magistrates was led by the Hon. the Chief Justice, Hon. Justice Bart M. Katureebe.
The conference was opened by the Rwandan Chief Justice Prof. Sam Rugege who called upon regional courts to use the available limited resources to achieve best possible results in receiving, processing and disposing of court cases.
Prof. Rugege said that, in an era of accelerated development, judicial systems across the region should endeavor to use the limited resources at their disposal to ensure effective and efficient dispensation of justice.
"In this age of accelerated development, coupled with austerity, we need to ensure optimization of use of limited resources in order to achieve the best possible results and delivery of best services to our people," the Rwandan CJ said.
Hon. Justice Nzioka Wa Makau, from the Kenyan High Court,said court administration procedures and processes should always be with an aim of improving dispensation of justice.
Referring to the age-old adage, justice delayed is justice denied, Hon. Justice Makau said judicial systems have to continuously mull new ways of speeding up processes at the same time improving quality of judgments.
Kenyan High Court Judge, Hon. Justice Luka Kimaru, who is the EAMJA president, said the exchange of ideas has helped member countries borrow best practices from each other.
"Participants got the opportunity to build linkages and continue to learn from each other long after the conference," he said.
He revealed that the association strives to bolster judicial independence, eradicate corruption and adopt best practices in court administration.
Hon. Justice Katureebe chaired a panel discussion on Court Administration: Best Practices and Challenges.
Justice of the Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice Geofrey Kiryabwire, made a presentation on The Role of ICT in Achieving a Modern, Effective and Efficient Court Administration.
Participants for the conference are drawn from all East African countries with additional representation from members of the Commonwealth.
Posted 24th, November 2017
