Museveni Warns East African Judges Against Blocking Development Projects

What the report says

President Yoweri Museveni has urged East African judges to avoid rulings that delay major infrastructure and trade-related projects, according to Nile Post. In remarks delivered by First Deputy Prime Minister and East African Community Affairs Minister Rebecca Kadaga at the East African Court of Justice’s 25th anniversary event in Arusha, Tanzania, he argued that injunctions and prolonged litigation can slow roads, railways, dams and other investments that he said are important for development and regional integration.

Museveni said the regional court should give greater weight to commercial justice, investment protection and the free movement of goods within the East African Community. He also criticised what he described as legal approaches that do not reflect the economic and social realities of African countries, saying the law should support transformation rather than obstruct it. His comments come as the EACJ considers a wider role in trade, investment and monetary disputes under its future strategic plans.

The president also linked stronger dispute resolution to investor confidence, employment and the growth of regional markets. He pointed to East Africa’s expansion and called for faster enforcement of court decisions, echoing concerns about judgments that are not implemented. He further renewed his call for an East African political federation, which he said would help unify governance, security and justice across the region.

More broadly, the remarks reflect an ongoing debate in East Africa over how to balance judicial independence with governments’ desire to accelerate infrastructure and economic integration. The EACJ is central to interpreting the East African Community treaty and resolving disputes among partner states.