Mama Samia Legal Aid campaign kicks off in Ilemela

MWANZA: MWANZA Regional Commissioner, Mr Said Mtanda, has officially inaugurated the “Mama Samia Legal Aid Campaign”, emphasising that its primary goal is to establish justice as the foundation of peace in society.

The campaign was launched yesterday in Ilemela municipality, bringing together government officials, members of the public, religious leaders and journalists.

Mr Mtanda outlined the campaign’s objectives, which include educating government leaders and civil servants on legal matters, good governance and human rights.

“President Samia believes that through this campaign, marginalised and financially disadvantaged citizens will receive the legal support they need, ensuring that many disputes are resolved efficiently”, he explained.

Mr Mtanda emphasised that the initiative aims to facilitate timely access to justice, particularly for those who lack financial resources.

“The primary activities during this period will focus on educating the public about legal rights, governance and dispute resolution mechanisms”, he added.

For his part, the Director of Human Resources at the Ministry of Constitution and Legal Affairs, Mr Alfred Dede, said the campaign is designed to ensure justice, especially for vulnerable citizens.

He noted that it would run for ten days, starting at the village level, with a focus on public legal education, good governance, combating gender-based violence and addressing inheritance and succession matters.

“The campaign will also cover land rights issues and alternative dispute resolution methods, including marital disputes”, he said.

Several Mwanza residents have praised President Samia Suluhu Hassan for launching the initiative while also calling for improvements in the judiciary system.

A resident of Nyakato Ward in Ilemela Municipality Ms Dotto Kagusa, urged the judiciary to make reforms in enforcing court rulings in favour of winning parties.

“The requirement for enforcement should be removed since rulings already specify the winner and both parties receive copies of the judgment.

In reality, enforcing a ruling often means restarting the case, leading to unnecessary delays and economic setbacks for citizens”, She explained.

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Sharing her own experience with a land dispute at the Nyamagana Land Tribunal, which she won in 2023, Ms Kagusa said the ruling ordered her neighbour to respect property boundaries after encroaching on her land and blocking access to her house, but she has faced difficulties in having the judgment implemented,

“I was advised to wait until the local government elections were completed last year for officials to enforce the ruling. But until today, I have not seen any action”, she said, appealing for assistance from the Mama Samia Legal Aid Campaign officials.