Legal aid key to justice, peace and development – Govt

ARUSHA: THE Ministry of Constitution and Legal Affairs has underscored that legal aid is a cross-cutting issue aimed at enhancing access to justice for vulnerable and indigent groups, particularly those unable to afford legal services.

It emphasised that justice is not an act of charity but a cornerstone of peace, development and national unity.

The remarks were delivered by the Minister for Constitution and Legal Affairs, Dr Damas Ndumbaro, through a speech read on his behalf by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr Eliakim Maswi, during the official opening of the 2025 National Annual Legal Aid Symposium held in Arusha on Wednesday.

Dr Ndumbaro highlighted the achievements of the Mama Samia Legal Aid Campaign, noting the government’s collaboration with stakeholders to ensure that legal aid services reach a wide spectrum of citizens, especially those who are marginalised.

“Through this campaign, we have reached more than 4 million people across all regions of Tanzania, both Mainland and Zanzibar. We have provided legal education, resolved disputes related to land, marriage and child custody and raised awareness about the rights of special groups including children, women, the elderly and persons with disabilities,” said Dr Ndumbaro.

He also cited key milestones achieved over the past year, including the implementation of the Legal Aid Act (Cap 21), which provides a strong legal framework for the coordination of legal aid services and assigns the government the responsibility to oversee those services nationwide.

Other achievements include the establishment of a registration system for legal aid providers, with over 200 organisations officially registered, implementation of the Mama Samia Legal Aid Campaign across the country, establishment of legal aid desks in all 26 regions and 184 councils in Mainland Tanzania, and in five regions of Zanzibar, development of Integrated Justice Centres in various regions and increased use of ICT and the forging of strategic partnerships between public and private stakeholders.

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However, Dr Ndumbaro also pointed out several challenges hindering the campaign’s effectiveness, including inadequate human and financial resources at regional and council levels, limited public awareness of legal rights and insufficient collaboration between government institutions and civil society organisations.

He further noted the absence of a sustainable national financing mechanism for legal aid services due to the lack of a dedicated national legal aid fund. Other hurdles include a shortage of participatory data and impact analysis, as well as the absence of an integrated data and monitoring system for service outcomes.

“This conference provides an opportunity to develop a shared vision for the legal aid system. I encourage open, transparent and constructive discussions. Let us emerge with actionable strategies and strengthen inter-institutional cooperation. We must continue to be ambassadors of justice and legal aid,” he urged.

“These challenges demand a collective response. The government alone cannot drive social and legal change. I hope the resolutions from this symposium will serve as a catalyst for real transformation in the legal aid sector,” he added.

Tanganyika Law Society (TLS) President, Advocate Boniface Mwabukusi, emphasised that many Tanzanians still require legal aid and commended the campaign as a demonstration of the government’s commitment to serving its people.

On her part, Zanzibar Legal Aid Director, Ms Hanifa Ramadhan Said, affirmed their collaboration with counterparts on the Mainland to implement the Mama Samia Legal Aid Campaign successfully across all five regions, 11 councils and 388 Shehia in Zanzibar.