Ulega calls for legal aid desks in all Tanzanian prisons

DODOMA: THE Minister for Constitution and Legal Affairs, Abdallah Ulega, has directed relevant institutions to establish and strengthen legal aid desks in prisons across the country to ensure inmates and remand prisoners access justice promptly and fairly.

He issued the directive today, October 27, 2026, during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry of Constitution and Legal Affairs and the Ministry of Home Affairs on the provision of legal aid services in prisons, alongside the launch of guidelines for establishing and operating the desks.

Ulega said the agreement reflected the government’s commitment to ensuring that all citizens, particularly those in detention facilities, received legal assistance regardless of their economic or social status.

He stressed that the agreement should not remain a document signed and stored in offices, but should translate into tangible improvements in access to justice for prisoners and remand inmates.

“The right to justice is an important foundation for peace, equality and national development. People in detention or prison retain rights that must be respected in accordance with the Constitution, laws and applicable procedures,” he said.

The minister explained that legal aid services should include providing accurate information about inmates’ rights and obligations, legal advice, assistance in preparing legal documents and representation in court.

He said such services would help inmates understand the progress of their cases and identify appropriate legal steps, including pursuing appeals or other available remedies.

Ulega directed the Ministry of Constitution and Legal Affairs, the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Tanzania Prisons Service to ensure legal aid desks were established and strengthened at prisons headquarters, regional prison offices and individual prisons, depending on needs and established procedures.

He also called for the appointment and training of qualified officers to manage the desks professionally and efficiently.

The minister emphasised the importance of using information and communication technology (ICT) to improve access to legal services, facilitate communication among justice institutions and enable timely monitoring of cases.

He said digital systems should support the collection, storage and analysis of accurate information while ensuring confidentiality, information security and the protection of personal data.

Ulega further directed the institutions involved to develop a clear implementation plan outlining responsibilities, timelines and accountable institutions to ensure the agreement achieved its intended objectives.

He said an effective monitoring and evaluation framework was also necessary to measure implementation progress, assess the results of legal aid services and identify areas requiring improvement.

The minister noted that information gathered through the system would help institutions make informed decisions and allocate resources effectively, while safeguarding the confidentiality of beneficiaries.

He commended President Samia Suluhu Hassan for prioritising access to justice and called on all institutions and officers involved to discharge their responsibilities with professionalism, integrity and respect for human dignity.

Ulega said the initiative was consistent with the country’s broader development aspirations, including the National Development Vision 2050, which emphasises the rule of law, human rights and access to justice.

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He also acknowledged the contribution of development partners, including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), GIZ Tanzania, financial institutions, telecommunications companies and other stakeholders, urging them to strengthen their collaboration with the government to expand legal aid services to vulnerable groups.

The MoU between the two ministries is intended to strengthen coordination in the provision of legal assistance to prisoners and remand inmates, ensuring that their rights are protected and that they receive appropriate support throughout legal proceedings.