Kampala — The East African Court of Justice is to open sub-registries in all the five partner states of the East African Community (EAC), an official has said.

The court which started with opening the sub-registry in Kigali, Rwanda last week followed a decision of the Council of Ministers that the court opens sub-registries in all partner states. The commissioning of the sub-registry, the first in the region, is expected to be followed by similar launches in the other partner states.

"With the opening of these sub-registries, litigants will no longer be required to travel to Arusha to file their claims," said the court Registrar Prof. John Eudes Ruhangisa.

Ruhangisa added instead, claims will be filed at an EACJ local sub-registry, which will handle the necessary transmission and communication details.

"The opening of the Kigali Sub-registry makes the Court's services more easily accessible and affordable to the vast majority of Rwandan residents," he said adding that the sub-registry has been equipped to start operations, with a full-time Court clerk already recruited.

Ruhangisa further noted the Court will work closely with Rwanda's Ministry of East African Community Affairs to raise public awareness. The EACJ sub-registry in Rwanda will be based at the High Court premises in Kigali. Prof. Ruhangisa explained the East African Court of Justice (EACJ is one of the organs of the East African Community established under Article 9 of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community.

Established in November 2001, the Court's major responsibility is to ensure the adherence to law in the interpretation and application of and compliance with the EAC Treaty.