A Tanzanian judge was yesterday sworn as a new judge of the East African Court of Justice (EACJ).

Judge Omar Othman Makungu will serve in the Appellate Division of the regional legal facility based in Arusha.

Burundi President Evariste Ndayishimiye, who is the current chair of the EAC Summit, officiated the swearing in at the State House in Bujumbura.

The Judge was appointed in absentia during the 21st extra-ordinary summit of the EAC Heads of State held in Bujumbura in May this year.

The Summit accordingly designated the Chairperson of the Summit to preside over the swearing in ceremony of the Honourable Judge at a later date, in accordance with Section 3 of the East African Community Oaths Act of 2019.

Justice Omar Othman Makungu, who currently serves as a Judge in the Court of Appeal of the United Republic of Tanzania replaces Lady Justice Sauda Mjasiri, who attained the mandatory retirement age of 70 years on 19th June, 2023.

Upon taking his Judicial Oath and Oath of Allegiance to the East African Community, the Chairperson of the Summit congratulated the Hon. Justice Makungu wished him well in his judicial functions.

The Oath of the new Judge was administered by the Deputy Registrar Her Worship Christine Mutimura, assisted by Dr. Anthony L. Kafumbe, the Counsel to the Community, said a statement issued by the EAC secretariat.

The swearing in ceremony was attended by Hon. Domine Banyankimbona the Minister of Justice/Attorney General of the Republic of Burundi, Hon. Justice Nestor Kayobera the Judge President of the EACJ, Mr Salvator Marcus Mbilinyi the Head of Chancery and Minister Plenipotentiary at the Embassy of the United Republic of Tanzania in Burundi, Mr. Severin Mbarubukeye the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of East African Community Affairs, Youth, Sports and Culture, among other dignitaries.