Ugandan judge impressed by Tanzania’s IJCs

DODOMA: THE Principal Judge of the High Court of Uganda Dr Flavian Zeija has commended the Tanzanian government through its Judiciary for coming up with Integrated Justice Centres (IJCs), saying it is a good idea in expediting justice delivery.

According to Dr Zeija, a renowned lawyer, academic and Judge of the High Court of Uganda, the IJC idea was something to emulate and that if enough funds will be obtained in his country, he will advise on having something similar.

“This is a very good concept and when we get money, I will advise my country to borrow a leaf and even if we don’t get the whole thing, I believe we can have something similar to this,” he noted.

Dr Zeija was speaking in the country’s capital, Dodoma, after he toured Dodoma’s IJC, where he had enough time to have a glimpse at several judicial services provided at once.

“In my country, some people are forced to travel up to more than 100 kilometres to have access to justice, so having all judicial services obtained at one centre is a good idea,” said Dr Zeija on his third day of his official visit to Tanzania.

The Principal Judge of Uganda thanked for the hospitality he received from his different hosts since he jetted into the country on Tuesday.

Dr Zeija is in the country for a five-day official visit. Already, he has toured the Integrated Justice Centre for Family Matters at Temeke in Dar es Salaam as well as witnessing how the Mobile Courts operate.

Earlier when briefing the Uganda Principle Judge on Dodoma’s IJC, Judge-in Charge of the Dodoma Zone of the High Court ot Tanzania, Juliana Masabo said IJC Dodoma started its business officially on October 06, 2021, after it was inaugurated by President Samia Suluhu Hassan.

She said that the inauguration of IJC Dodoma represented five other IJCs namely Arusha IJC, Morogoro IJC, Mwanza IJC, Kinondoni IJC and Temeke IJC.

“Within the IJC there are six different court levels starting with the Primary court, the District Court, Juvenile court,the Court of the Resident magistrates, the High Court and the sub registry of the Court of Appeal of Tanzania,” she noted.

Judge Masabo said the IJC comprises of the Offices and chambers of the Judges and magistrates and that each Judge and magistrate had his /her own office.

“Apart from the Judges and Magistrates offices and chambers, there are various stakeholders’ offices including the office of the Solicitor General, the National prosecution services, the Tanganyika Law Society, the Social Welfare Office, the Probation office, the prison office and Legal aid service provider, among others.