Prime Minister Majaliwa officiates opening of EAMJA Conference

BY FAUSTINE KAPAMA

Judiciary Arusha

THE Prime Minister of the United Republic of Tanzania, Hon. Kassim Majaliwa Majaliwa today dated December 3, 2024 officially opened the 21st East African Magistrates and Judges Association (EAMJA) Conference and Annual Meeting, which brings more than 380 participants from the Region to discuss various judicial matter in relation to the dispensation of justice.

Prime Minister of the United Republic of Tanzania, Hon. Kassim Majaliwa Majaliwa arriving at Gran Malie' Hotel in Arusha City to officially open the 21st East African Magistrates and Judges Association (EAMJA) Conference and Annual Meeting.

Hon. Majaliwa arrived at the conference venue at Gran Malia’ Hotel at around 10.00 am and was received by several judicial and government senior officials led by the Chief Justice of Tanzania, His Lordship Prof. Ibrahim Hamis Juma.

Other officials were the Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Hon. Prof. Palamagamba Kabudi, President of the EAMJA, Hon. John Eudes Keitirima, retire Chief Justice of Tanzania, His Lordship Mohamed Chande Othman, Court of Appeal Justices Dr, Gerald Ndika and Ignas Kitusi, Chief Justice of Zanzibar, His Lordship Khamis Ramadhan Abdalla, Principal Judge of the High Court of Tanzania, Hon. Mustapher Mohamed Siyani, Chief Court Administrator of Judiciary of Tanzania, Prof. Elisante Ole Gabriel and Chief Registrar of the Judiciary of Tanzania, Hon. Eva Kiaki Nkya.

After a shot briefing, the Prime Minister, who represented the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Her Excellence Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan to officially open the conference, was escorted to the conference room before the Brass Band of the Tanzania People’s Defence Forced led the delegated to sing the National Anthem and that of the East African Community.

Thereafter, the Master of the Ceremony, who is also the Judge of the High Court of Tanzania, Dodoma Sub-Registry, Hon. Fatuma Halfan introduced the delegates to the Prime Minister before allowing speakers to give their addresses relating to the meeting.

It was the President of the EAMJA John Eudes Keitirima, who was the first to take the floor and told the delegates from Tanzania, Zanzibar, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and South Sudan that that the East African Magistrates and Judges Association is the biggest Judicial forum that brings together all ranks of judicial officers within the region who deliberate exhaustively on issues that affect them.

He explained that EAMJA plays a pivotal role in unifying and empowering Judicial officers across the East African Region and has been organizing conferences that offer a unique opportunity for judicial officers across the East African Community to come together and delve in a wide crucial and contemporary topic.

“This collective effort not only broader our horizons but also provides invaluable insights into the regional and global dynamics that influence our work. This continuous engagement is a priceless aspect of being part of EAMJA as it allows us to stay well informed, adopt to changes and anticipate and prepare for future challenges,” the President said.

The Prime Minister of the United Republic of Tanzania, Hon. Kassim Majaliwa Majaliwa is being received by the Chief Justice of Tanzania, His Lordship Prof. Ibrahim Hamis Juma. In the picture below, he is being greeted by the Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Hon. Prof. Palamagamba Kabudi as other judicial officers waiting their turn.

Prime Minister of the United Republic of Tanzania, Hon. Kassim Majaliwa Majaliwa enjoying traditional entertainments. The picture below is being escorted to the conference room.

The second official to address the conference was the District Commissioner (DC), Hon. Felician Mtahengerwa, who represented the Regional Commissioner Paul Makonda. In his short message, the DC asked Judges and Magistrates to observe justice and be impartial when exercising their judicial function.

It was the Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs who became third to take the floor and told the delegates that judges and magistrates are the centre of peace and harmony as everyone who thinks has lost his or her rights would run to a court to file a suit.

“Therefore, people trust on you and they are always sure that justice will be made, justice will be done. This trust should not be compromised as it has been stated by the District Commissioner of Arusha,” he said.

The minister pointed out that the theme chosen by the Association this year over “Strengthening Justice Delivery System for Regional Integration and Economic Growth” august well with what goes in the East African Region.

Prof. Kabudi assured the conference that his ministry is very eager to know the deliberations and what needed to be done and that the role of the government is to facilitate the judiciary to function properly.

Thereafter, the Chief Justice of Tanzania took the floor and urged governments to provide sufficient funds to national judiciaries to enable them perform core judicial functions assigned by constitutions of their respective jurisdictions.

“Our national judiciaries require sufficient funds to perform core judicial functions assigned by our constitutions. The EAMJA and our national Magistrates' and Judges' Associations should continue to underscore to our national governments that sufficient funding of National judiciaries is essential in a democratic and peaceful environment that allows people to engage in political, social, cultural, economic and technological activities,” he said.

His Lordship Prof. Juma explained that as conference theme reminds them, when judiciaries enhance the delivery of the justice system, and national jurisdictions dedicate sufficient resources to strengthen justice and judicial institutions, processes and mechanisms, the justice system will contribute to national economic growth and the East African regional integration.

It was then the turn of the Prime Minister to address the conference and pointed out that a strengthened judicial delivery system is essential for deepened regional integration and economic growth.

Prime Minister of the United Republic of Tanzania, Hon. Kassim Majaliwa Majaliwa leading the delegates of the conference to sing the National Anthem and that of the East African Community. The picture below is a section of delegates joining the Prime Minister during the occasion.

Prime Minister of the United Republic of Tanzania, Hon. Kassim Majaliwa Majaliwa (centre) inside the conference room.

Prime Minister of the United Republic of Tanzania, Hon. Kassim Majaliwa Majaliwa in a memorable picture with the delegates of the conference.

The Chief Justice of Tanzania of Tanzania, His Lordship Prof. Ibrahim Hamis Juma (right) presents a special gift to the Prime Minister, Hon. Kassim Majaliwa Majaliwa for officiating the Conference.

As one of the leaders in this region, the Prime Minister said, he highly value regional gatherings like such conference, which bring together East African Magistrates and Judges to address critical national and regional issues.

“This gathering provides an opportunity to analyze the challenges we face in delivering justice and to develop strategies for overcoming them. The EAMJA umbrella enables us to collaborate in ensuring effective, participatory justice for our citizens,” he said.

During the opening session, the Chief Justice of Tanzania presented a special gift to the Prime Minister for officiating the Conference.