Rwanda is hosting a groundbreaking data governance training programme for judges and senior staff of the East African Court of Justice (EACJ) in an initiative aiming to enhance judicial expertise in data governance, with a focus on data protection, privacy, and legal adjudication. The three-day programme running until March 13 is designed to strengthen the application of the forthcoming EAC Data Protection and Privacy Act. It also seeks to foster a harmonized regional approach to data governance in the light of new and emerging technologies. ALSO READ: East African court concludes Kigali session Additionally, the training aims to equip judges with the capacity to adjudicate data-related cases effectively while aligning EACJ judicial processes with international data protection standards. Nestor Kayobera, president of the East African Court of Justice, emphasized the significance of the initiative in ensuring legal certainty and judicial preparedness in an increasingly data-driven world. “As the digital landscape evolves, our judicial officers must be well-versed in data governance principles to uphold the rule of law while fostering economic growth,” he said. ALSO READ: Kigali hosts first regional inter-parliamentary forum on digital health, data governance Kayobera further highlighted the crucial role of courts in interpreting and enforcing data protection laws, ensuring that fundamental rights to privacy and security are upheld while supporting innovation and cross-border data flows within the region. He reiterated the EACJ’s commitment to aligning its judicial processes with international best practices, keeping East African courts at the forefront of digital governance and legal adjudication. Christine Wekesa, the acting registrar of the East African Court of Justice, underscored the training’s importance, especially as data becomes increasingly recognised as a vital asset in the digital economy. “Proper governance and legislation will significantly contribute to the digital transformation agenda across the East African Community (EAC) member states,” she stated. She further emphasized the court’s commitment to ensuring that judicial officers are well-equipped with the necessary knowledge to interpret and enforce emerging legal frameworks governing data protection and privacy. Daniel Murenzi, Principal Information Technology Officer at EAC Secretariat, stressed the need to equip judicial officers with data governance expertise to ensure that legal frameworks remain robust and effective in the digital age. “With the EAC advancing its Data Governance Policy Framework and working towards a regional Data Protection and Privacy Act, this training is critical to harmonizing legal adjudication on data-related issues across the region,” Murenzi noted. Murenzi said the training, facilitated by renowned data governance and digital law experts, would cover critical topics such as data protection laws, privacy rights, cross-border data flows, digital security in judicial processes, and the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in court proceedings. This initiative comes as most EAC member states have enacted national data protection laws, highlighting the need for uniform regulations. Judges and court staff will gain the expertise needed to guide legal drafting and interpretation, ensuring aligned policies that benefit both the public and private sectors.
