Kinondoni residents get justice service at home

DAR ES SALAAM: RESIDENTS of Ali Maua Ward in Kinondoni District, have received vital legal education aimed at helping them avoid preventable legal disputes thanks to the ongoing Mama Samia Legal Aid Campaign (MSLAC).

Speaking to Daily News after the session, a legal officer from the MSLAC team and representative of the Ministry of Constitution and Legal Affairs, Ms Ana Tupa said the outreach focused on educating citizens about their basic rights, legal aspects of marriage, recognised forms of marriage and divorce procedures.

She said participants also received guidance on writing wills and testaments and were taught the importance of formal contracts in daily transactions involving land, business and community groups.

In addition, the sessions addressed the dangers of gender-based violence, children’s rights and the critical role of obtaining legal documentation from institutions such as RITA for registering marriages, deaths and births.

Ms Tupa underscored that the primary goal of the campaign is to equip citizens with legal knowledge so they can avoid conflicts that often arise due to lack of awareness.

“We’ve observed that a significant number of disputes, whether related to land, marriage, or contracts, stem from poor understanding of the law. That’s why we’re bringing this education directly to the people, to build their capacity to protect their rights legally,” she said.

She highlighted that many marriage disputes occur because individuals are unaware of the differences between legally recognised and unrecognised unions.

Similarly, contract disputes frequently arise from informal agreements that lack written documentation, common in land sales, business partnerships, group arrangements, or even among bodaboda riders.

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“In most of these cases, people have no supporting documents, which makes it difficult for justice to be served when issues arise,” she said.

Ms Tupa added that the session the MSLAC team placed strong emphasis on issues of gender-based violence, child welfare and fundamental human rights.

“Many people endure abuse without recognising it, assuming it is a normal part of life. This initiative has opened their eyes and increased public awareness,” she said.

She said the campaign was well received by residents, who praised the initiative and urged the government to continue providing such education regularly to help reduce conflict in communities. “The community responded enthusiastically. Many were grateful for the information and even requested that we extend our presence in the ward to address more of their concerns,” she said. Ms Tupa said during the outreach, the MSLAC legal team also offered legal consultations, with land disputes emerging as the most frequently reported issue.

“Most land-related conflicts involved individuals lacking title deeds or inheriting land without following proper legal procedures, leading to recurring disputes that could have been prevented through legal compliance,” said Ms Tupa.

The Mama Samia Legal Aid Campaign is part of the government’s broader commitment to ensuring legal aid services are accessible to all Tanzanians.