Govt trains marriage mediators nationwide

DODOMA: THE Ministry of Constitution and Legal Affairs, has launched a nationwide programme aimed at strengthening the capacity of members of Marriage Conciliation Boards in order to reinforce the institution of marriage and ensure that marital disputes are resolved through mediation.

This was said by the Deputy Minister for Constitution and Legal Affairs, Ms Zainab Katimba, while responding to a basic question from Special Seats MP (CCM) Happiness Ngwando, who wanted to know the government’s plans to reform the Marriage Law to speed up divorce cases. Ms Katimba said the Ministry has initiated a programme to train and empower members of Marriage Conciliation Boards across the country.

The implementation of the programme officially began on April 8, this year, in Kagera Region. She said the objective was to ensure that couples experiencing marital conflicts are given proper mediation and reconciliation opportunities before filing divorce cases in court.

“To strengthen the institution of marriage and ensure that marital disputes are resolved through mediation, the Government through the Ministry of Constitution and Legal Affairs has initiated a programme to build the capacity of members of Marriage Conciliation Boards nationwide. “The implementation of this programme officially started on April 8, 2026, in Kagera Region. The aim is to ensure that couples with disputes receive appropriate resolution before submitting divorce applications to the courts,” she stressed.

Ms Katimba further said that the Marriage Act provides that marital disputes must first be heard by Marriage Conciliation Boards before being taken to court for divorce proceedings, with the intention of prioritising reconciliation over separation.

She said that in efforts to speed up the hearing and resolution of cases, the Judiciary of Tanzania has issued guidelines setting time limits for case disposal depending on the level of the court.

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“According to these guidelines, cases heard in Primary Courts must be completed within six months, those in District and Resident Magistrate Courts within one year, and those in the High Court within two years. Additionally, divorce cases may also be heard and determined by Primary Courts in accordance with established procedures,” Ms Katimba explained.

In her supplementary questions, Ms Ngwando asked as to why women are sometimes evicted from matrimonial homes during divorce disputes and that divorce cases taking up to two years are too lengthy and could negatively affect children. In response, Ms Katimba said that the law does not permit a husband to evict a wife from the matrimonial home during ongoing divorce proceedings.

She cited the Marriage Act (Cap. 29), which recognises the matrimonial home as jointly owned by both spouses. She further referenced Section 59 of the Act, which has been reinforced by various court rulings affirming that a husband cannot legally expel a wife from the matrimonial home while a divorce case is pending.

Ms Katimba also advised that spouses facing such situations can seek urgent court orders to prevent eviction or the sale of the matrimonial home while legal proceedings are underway.

Moreover, Ms Katimba said that the time limits for handling divorce cases are designed to ensure justice is delivered efficiently while protecting vulnerable groups, particularly children.