East Africa prepares for landmark judicial conference focused on people-centred justice
The East African judicial community is convening at a crucial moment for regional legal collaboration and innovation, as the East Africa Magistrates and Judges Association (EAMJA) prepares to hold its Annual Conference from 30 November to 6 December 2025 at Nairobi's Safari Park Hotel. The event, hosted by the Kenya Magistrates and Judges Association (KMJA), will officially open under the auspices of President William Samoei Ruto. This gathering draws magistrates, judges, and senior judicial officers from across East Africa, united under the theme “Justice Beyond Brick and Mortar: Unlocking Multi-Door Pathways for People-Centered Justice in East Africa.”
EAMJA represents a significant regional institution, comprising three key national bodies: the Kenya Magistrates’ and Judges’ Association (KMJA), Uganda Judicial Officers’ Association (UJOA), and the Judges’ and Magistrates’ Association of Tanzania (JMAT). The association’s origins trace back to March 2000 when representatives from Kenyan and Ugandan judicial officer bodies discussed the formation of a regional judicial body. This initiative was further consolidated in a meeting held in Arusha in February 2001, which brought in Tanzanian judicial delegates. These efforts culminated in the formal launch of EAMJA in Mombasa in September 2001. The association has since been granted observer status within the East African Community (EAC), underpinning its role in regional judicial cooperation.
The conference aims to explore innovative approaches to justice that extend beyond traditional courtroom settings, embracing multi-door courthouse concepts. This approach promotes accessibility and responsiveness to the diverse needs of people within East African justice systems. Registration for attending judicial officers involves a nominal fee, with details managed through each country’s respective association. The event promises an invaluable platform for peer exchange, capacity building, and regional legal policy discussions at a time when multi-jurisdictional issues increasingly demand coordinated responses.
This conference coincides closely with another milestone event in the region’s legal landscape: the 30th Annual Conference of the East Africa Law Society (EALS) set to take place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 26 to 29 November 2025. EALS is a prominent regional Bar Association focused on advancing the rule of law and legal integration within East Africa. It includes several national bar associations such as those from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, and Ethiopia, with a membership that exceeds 42,000 lawyers. While EAMJA primarily represents judicial officers, EALS brings together the region’s legal practitioners, fostering a complementary relationship in promoting justice and governance reforms.
Moreover, the judicial integration and cooperation theme is also reflected in broader regional legal frameworks such as the East African Court of Justice (EACJ). Established under the 1999 East African Community Treaty, the EACJ serves to ensure adherence to the law in interpreting and applying the treaty, operating through its First Instance and Appellate Divisions. Collectively, these institutions form a dynamic judicial ecosystem that supports the East African Community’s vision of deeper legal and economic integration.
As East Africa’s justice sector continues evolving, events like the EAMJA Annual Conference underscore the commitment of regional judicial officers to embrace innovative, people-centred approaches to the delivery of justice. By leveraging multi-door justice mechanisms and regional collaboration, East Africa stands poised to expand equitable access to justice, enhance legal cooperation, and strengthen judicial independence, cornerstones of sustainable development and stability in the region.