OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY GENERAL
PRESS STATEMENT
DATE: 16TH SEPTEMBER, 2020
TO: ALL MEDIA HOUSES
MISUSE OF EAC EMBLEM BY A LITIGANT IN A MATTER BEFORE THE EAST AFRICAN COURT OF JUSTICE
The East African Community (Community) has learnt with dismay the misuse of its Emblem by a one Mr. Male Mabirizi, a litigant in a matter before the East African Court of Justice (EACJ). Mr. Male Mabirizi is illegally using the Community Emblem and photographs of the Honorable Judges of the EACJ to among others, raise funds for personal purposes.
The Community wishes to inform the public that Sections 7 and 8 of the Community Emblems Act, as amended expressly prohibit the unauthorized use of the Community Emblem. Section 7(1) thereof provides that “no person shall without the permission of the Council of Ministers notified in the Gazette, use or display the Community Emblem.”
Section (8) of the said law creates an offence for abuse of the emblem punishable on conviction by a fine not exceeding US$3,000 or a term of imprisonment not exceeding three years or both such a fine and imprisonment.
While the Community set up the EACJ as a neutral arbiter for disputes between parties, it condemns the abuse of its emblem, misuse of the photographs of the Judges and the derogatory language that Mr. Male Mabirizi has used against a sitting Head of State.
The Community, while considering legal action against him, hereby disassociates itself from Mr. Mabirizi’s advert with its derogatory language and illegal use of its Emblem and photographs of the Judges.
The Community further demands that Mr. Male Mabirizi writes an apology to the Community and withdraws the said advert immediately.
Amb. Libérat Mfumukeko
Secretary General