DEPUTY Minister for Constitution and Legal Affairs Jumanne Sagini has stressed the importance of the ongoing nationwide legal aid campaign in resolving land disputes and combating gender-based violence across Tanzania.

Dubded : “Mama Samia Legal Aid Campaign”, the initiative  began in February 2023, will run until February 2026, focusing on providing legal services and raising public awareness to ensure that justice is accessible to all, especially the most vulnerable communities.

Speaking during the campaign’s launch event in Musoma, Mara Region, over the weekend, Sagini reaffirmed the government’s commitment to enhancing access to justice. 

“The government is fully aware of the delays in resolving land disputes, particularly in areas lacking land tribunals,” said Sagini. “To address this, we are working alongside the Ministry of Lands, Housing, and Human Settlements Development to reform the system, moving towards judicial handling of land cases.”

Sagini emphasised that the Mama Samia Legal Aid Campaign would play a pivotal role in facilitating access to justice by providing free legal support, especially in tackling land-related conflicts and offering assistance to victims of gender-based violence. “This campaign will significantly contribute to resolving land disputes and offer vital legal assistance to those affected by gender-based violence,” he added.

The campaign is named after President Samia Suluhu Hassan and aims to reach citizens across the country by offering education on legal rights and providing free legal aid. 

Sagini highlighted the transformative potential of the campaign, noting its importance in empowering citizens who otherwise might not afford legal services.

Rorya District Commissioner, Dr Halfan Haule, who represented the Regional Commissioner at the launch called for a reform in the way land disputes are handled. 

“Mara is facing numerous land disputes, many of which arise due to the lack of legal mechanisms and tribunals to resolve them,” Dr Haule explained. 

He pointed out that, areas like Rorya and Butiama lack land tribunals, forcing citizens to travel long distances to Musoma or Tarime to access justice.

“This causes great financial and time burden  for the people, many of whom give up to seek  legal solutions,” he said, urging that judicial bodies, rather than land tribunals, be given the authority to settle such disputes.

Lucas Malunde, board member of the Mama Samia Legal Aid Campaign, praised the initiative for its potential to improve access to justice. 

“This campaign is crucial in ensuring that legal support reaches those who cannot afford to pay for lawyers. It is a vital tool in encouraging fair and equitable access to justice across the country,” Malunde said.

The called for continued collaboration to ensure that legal aid reaches the most underserved citizens especially those facing gender-based violence or living in remote areas with limited access to legal resources.