By Rachael Najjuma
23rd June 2022
The East African Court of Justice has on Thirsday delivered its judgment in a case filed by a Ugandan citizen and Lawyer Steven Kalaali over what he termed an illegal closure of border posts at Cyanika, Gatuna and Mirama Hills.
In a judgment delivered by five justices of this court who include Yohane Masara, Dr. Charles Nyawello, Charles Nyachae, Richard Muhumuza and Wabwire Wejuli, it has been ruled that it was wrong for Rwanda to close its boarder in 2019 because it broke the agreement of the East African Community which gives citizens a right to move freely in the given countries.
Court has now advised Rwanda not to ever repeat the same thing but has declined to award costs to Kalaali and ruled that each party should bear its own costs since the matter benefits all the citizens.
Kalaali was present in court which he attended through zoom at Supreme Court Kololo since court was seated in Arusha Tanzania and he welcomed the judgement.
This case was filed in April 2019 by Kalali who was aggrieved by the conduct of Rwandan president Paul Kagame of refusing immigration officers and Revenue Authorities at the mentioned border posts to allow Ugandan citizens, traders and goods from crossing into his country for unjustified reasons.
In his petition he filed against the Attorney General of Rwanda, Kalali contends that what Rwanda had done defeated the spirit of the East African Treaty, Free trade and common Market protocol since the then closed border posts were also serving other countries like DR. Congo and Burundi.
The judgment comes at a time when Rwanda has already opened up its boarders again.
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