The Ministry of Justice (Minijust) has committed to undertake more efforts in sensitising the community on the aspects of legal and juridical cooperation of the East African Community integration process.

The Minister for Justice and Attorney General, Johnston Busingye, made the remarks this week while addressing members of the Senatorial Committee in Charge of Foreign Affairs during a meeting at the ministry headquarters in Kimihurura.

According to Senator Mike Rugema, the chairperson of the committee, the consultative meeting with the Ministry of Justice was in line with parliamentary oversight responsibilities.

"Today’s meeting was organised to gauge the extent to which the ministry has reached in sensitising the community on East African Community integration, especially in the justice sector. For example, what has the ministry done about harmonising laws in the EAC to ease activities of the citizens of the bloc? Such integration comes with various challenges, but the best way to overcome them is to analyse them,” he said.

Busingye highlighted some of the achievements, among them, regional training for lawmakers, establishment of East African Court of Justice headquarters in member countries, as well as the establishment of a regional school of law in Nyanza District, Southern Province.

"Citizens are the pillar of any integration process. Our regional integration is built on citizens; otherwise, the integration would be unsuccessful. Sensitisation is required to let the people enjoy the fruits of integration,” Busingye noted.

"We have people who travel across the borders, especially traders. They should be aware of the laws regarding regional integration so that in case of any problem they can report it to a court of justice in that country,” he added.

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