OUR HISTORY

The East African Magistrates’ and Judges’ Association (EAMJA) draws membership from the organizational bodies representing Judges and Magistrates  in the four East African countries, namely; Kenya Magistrates’ and Judges’ Association (KMJA), Rwanda Judges and Registrars Association (RJRA), Uganda Judicial Officers’ Association (UJOA), the Judges’ and Magistrates’ Association of Tanzania (JMAT) and Zanzibar Judicial Officers Association. We are also affiliated with Commonwealth Magistrates' and Judges' Association (CMJA) and East African Court of Justice (EACJ).


EAMJA’s historical background dates back to March, 2000 during the KMJA Annual General Meeting held in Nairobi, Kenya, when a meeting between KMJA representatives and delegation from UJOA, revived an idea hatched earlier on to form a regional body. There followed other meetings in Kampala, Uganda and Arusha, Tanzania. During the Arusha meeting held on 22nd February, 2001, the idea was discussed further this time in the presence of representatives from JMAT. During this meeting, three associations resolved to form the EAMJA. This culminated in the EAMJA launch on the 1st of September 2001 in Mombasa, Kenya.


The Association has since organized various activities around institutional development, and conferences to judicial issues of sub-regional concern. It was granted observer status with the East African Community (EAC), which has promised support for the EAMJA. One of the projects the Association has been undertaking is the publication of ‘The East African Judicial Journal.

Strategic Objectives

Given the potential opportunities and threats within the strategic planning period and the identified urgency created by the various trends emanating from elements of the environment, and given the focus of its mission to promote the rule of law as a basis for democratic governance in East Africa, and its commitment to promote the accessibility of justice for all in East Africa, EAMJA commits itself to the achievement of the following strategic objectives within the next five years. - To develop, promote, and protect the highest standards of integrity and ethical behaviour among judicial officers


  • To harmonise judicial practice in East Africa

  • To promote and protect the independence of the judiciaries

  • To advocate for the improvement and maintaining of competitive terms of service, and conducive working environment for judicial officers

  • To enhance faster dispensation of justice through the development, promotion and maintenance of high standards of performance by judicial officers

  • To build a fraternity of judicial officers in East Africa

  • To develop the institutional base of EAMJA through development of and adherence to management, and administrative policies

  • To network with other players concerned with similar vision and objectives