EAC’s Nduva urges regional court to adopt AI

Kigali. The Secretary General of the East African Community (EAC), Veronica Nduva, has called on the East African Court of Justice (EACJ) to fulfil its mandate with unwavering dedication to justice, ethics and transparency for all member states, in alignment with the EAC Treaty.

Nduva made the remarks on February 18, 2025, during the third Annual East African Court of Justice Judicial Conference held in Kigali, Rwanda.

The conference gathered legal experts and stakeholders to discuss the EACJ’s role in ensuring effective regional integration and accessible justice.

In her speech, Nduva urged the Court to adopt the use of high tech, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), in improving court proceedings, data analysis, and judicial service delivery.

She said AI can significantly enhance the efficiency, transparency and accessibility of justice for East African citizens.

“At this moment of regional growth, we must ensure that the technological systems we adopt are up to the task of modernising our legal framework,” she said.

“AI can play a pivotal role in court sessions, making justice not only more accessible but also more transparent.”

Nduva also said there was a need to update the EAC Treaty to keep pace with the evolving legal and economic landscape of the region.

“As our community expands, it is vital that we review and adapt the treaty to reflect the changes and needs of all member states,” she said, referencing the recent inclusion of Somalia as the eighth EAC member.

The Secretary General pointed out that laws and protocols passed at the EAC level should not remain confined to policy discussions but should engage all member states and their citizens to ensure effective implementation.

“For too long, we have witnessed inconsistent laws. Now is the time for alignment and for member states to take ownership in verifying and validating these protocols within their legal frameworks,” she urged.

Furthermore, Nduva underscored the necessity of raising public awareness about the role of the EACJ in promoting regional integration and ensuring justice for all.

“We serve the people of East Africa. Our work must be centred on them, and the public must be made aware of the EACJ’s critical role in their lives,” she emphasised.

In efforts to reduce case backlogs, Nduva revealed that the EACJ has introduced national registers to streamline case submissions and improve legal processes across the region.

"These national registers will bring justice closer to the people by making legal proceedings more efficient," she said.

Rwandan President, Paul Kagame, stressed the importance of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) as a means to alleviate the burden on court systems and improve access to justice.

“ADR should be integrated into policies and recognized as a vital tool for enhancing justice delivery,” he said in a speech read on his behalf by Rwanda’s Chief Justice, Domitilla Mukantagazwa.

Additionally, President Kagame called for enhanced collaboration between the EACJ and national courts, encouraging stronger exchanges of information to ensure transparency and accountability in the region’s judicial systems.

He also called for the use of technology to simplify and expedite case resolution, ensuring that justice is accessible and human rights are upheld.

EACJ President, Justice Nestory Kayobera, in his opening address, highlighted the conference’s goal of exploring ways to enhance the court’s capacity to address regional governance challenges.

“Our discussions will focus on strengthening the court’s ability to ensure fair implementation of decisions and safeguard judicial independence,” he said.

Justice Kayobera also acknowledged the financial challenges and limited tenure of judges but assured that the EACJ remains committed to ensuring equal access to justice for all member states, despite these hurdles.

The conference concluded with a renewed commitment from the region’s legal professionals, government representatives, and community leaders to continue working together to improve the judicial system and support regional development.