The Law Students Association of East Africa has filed a lawsuit against Uganda’s Attorney General and the Uganda Law Council, accusing them of violating the East African Community (EAC) Treaty by failing to incorporate EAC Law into the curricula of Ugandan law schools.
The association contends that the absence of EAC Law in legal education undermines regional integration efforts and disadvantages Ugandan law graduates seeking to practice across borders.
“The inclusion of EAC Law is vital for a relevant and effective legal education system in Uganda,” said Mwanje Gideon, President of the Law Students Association of East Africa.
“Despite repeated appeals, the Attorney General and the Uganda Law Council have refused to act, leaving graduates unprepared for regional legal practice.”
Mwanje revealed that the association had written several letters to both offices, urging the inclusion of EAC Law as a mandatory subject in Uganda’s 18 law schools. To date, none of these institutions teach the subject comprehensively.
The Law Council, which oversees legal education and accredits law schools, has the mandate to introduce EAC Law but has not exercised this authority, the association argued.
The lawsuit cites key provisions of the EAC Treaty—specifically Articles 5, 6, 7, 76, and 126—along with Articles 7, 10, and 11 of the EAC Common Market Protocol. \The students argue that these provisions obligate Uganda to harmonize its legal education systems with regional standards to foster integration and facilitate cross-border legal practice.
In its formal letter to the Attorney General and Law Council, the association wrote:
“The omission of EAC Law from Uganda’s law curricula violates the EAC Treaty and undermines cross-border legal practice. It denies Ugandan graduates fair competition and blocks the mutual recognition of qualifications across Partner States.”
The association also raised concerns that this educational gap leaves Uganda’s legal sector at a disadvantage compared to other EAC Partner States, where EAC Law may be better integrated into legal training.
Additionally, the lawsuit highlights that the lack of EAC Law instruction limits access to specialized legal expertise on regional matters, which could slow the development of East African jurisprudence and weaken the East African Court of Justice’s effectiveness.
Impact on Regional Integration
The association argues that without proper education in EAC Law, Ugandan lawyers are ill-equipped to navigate the legal frameworks governing the EAC’s common market, impeding professional mobility and undermining regional agreements.
They warn that the omission hinders the recognition of Ugandan legal qualifications within the bloc and slows the region’s progress toward a unified legal market.
In its petition to the East African Court of Justice, the Law Students Association of East Africa is seeking:
- A declaration that the Attorney General and Uganda Law Council’s failure to incorporate EAC Law into law school curricula violates the EAC Treaty.
- An order compelling the Uganda Law Council to mandate the teaching of EAC Law in all accredited law schools.
- Any other remedy the court deems just to ensure Uganda’s compliance with the EAC Treaty and support regional integration.
Through this legal challenge, the association aims to compel Ugandan authorities to align the country’s legal education system with regional integration goals, while also strengthening cross-border legal practice within the East African Community.