Mama Samia Legal Aid Campaign returns with wider reach

The second phase of the Mama Samia Legal Aid Campaign is set to launch in Zanzibar on June 20, 2026, marking a significant expansion of legal services across Tanzania. This nationwide initiative aims to bring legal assistance closer to citizens, particularly those in remote and underserved areas, by addressing a broad spectrum of legal challenges. The campaign will focus on critical issues such as land disputes, inheritance conflicts, labour grievances, and gender-based violence, leveraging public legal education, advice, and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms. Building on the successes of its first phase, this expanded outreach underscores the Tanzanian government's commitment to enhancing access to justice and legal awareness for all its citizens, both on the Mainland and in Zanzibar.

The United Republic of Tanzania is poised to significantly bolster its commitment to access to justice with the launch of the second phase of the Mama Samia Legal Aid Campaign. Scheduled for June 20, 2026, in Zanzibar, this expanded initiative reflects a concerted effort by the government to decentralize legal services and bring them directly to the grassroots level. The campaign, spearheaded by the Ministry for Constitution and Legal Affairs, aims to tackle prevalent legal challenges that disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, including land disputes, inheritance conflicts, labour grievances, and gender-based violence (GBV).

Minister for Constitution and Legal Affairs, Dr. Juma Homera, emphasized that the campaign is designed to strengthen access to justice by reaching communities in wards, villages, and shehias, ensuring that geographical location or financial constraints do not impede citizens' ability to obtain legal assistance. This phase is a clear demonstration of the successful cooperation between the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania and the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar, pooling resources and expertise to serve citizens across the Union. The campaign's theme, “Legal Aid for Justice, Equality, Peace and Development,” encapsulates its holistic approach to fostering a more equitable and legally informed society.

This article will delve into the legal framework underpinning legal aid in Tanzania, analyze the specific areas of law targeted by the Mama Samia Legal Aid Campaign, and discuss the implications for legal practitioners and the broader public. By examining the campaign's expanded reach and strategic focus, we aim to provide a comprehensive overview of this pivotal development in Tanzania's pursuit of universal access to justice.

The provision of legal aid in Tanzania is primarily governed by the Legal Aid Act, No. 1 of 2017, which applies to Mainland Tanzania, and the Zanzibar Legal Aid Act, No. 13 of 2018. These legislative instruments regulate and coordinate the provision of legal aid services to indigent persons, formally recognizing the crucial role of paralegals in extending legal outreach. The Acts define legal aid services broadly to include legal education and information, legal advice, assistance, and legal representation.

The Mama Samia Legal Aid Campaign itself was initially launched in February and April 2023, with a three-year implementation plan. Its first phase successfully reached over four million people, focusing on human rights education, combating gender-based violence, promoting alternative dispute resolution (ADR), and building the capacity of legal aid providers and institutions. The campaign is coordinated by the Ministry of Constitutional and Legal Affairs in collaboration with various justice stakeholders, including legal aid providers and paralegals.

Funding for legal aid services in Tanzania relies on collaborative efforts from both state and non-state actors, including government institutions and international development partners. While the Legal Aid Act, 2017, does not establish a dedicated legal aid fund, the campaign aims to create a special fund to ensure the sustainable nationwide provision of these services. Notably, the government has significantly increased the budget for the Mama Samia Legal Aid Campaign, tripling it from Sh2 billion to Sh6 billion for the 2024/25 financial year, underscoring its commitment to expanding legal assistance to a greater number of citizens.

The second phase of the Mama Samia Legal Aid Campaign represents a strategic shift towards deeper community engagement, expanding its coverage to all 31 regions of Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar, including districts, wards, villages, and hamlets. This wider reach is crucial for addressing the diverse legal needs of citizens, particularly those in remote areas who face significant barriers to accessing justice due to geographical distance, lack of legal knowledge, or financial constraints.

The campaign's focus on specific areas of law directly addresses prevalent societal issues. For **land disputes**, the legal framework in Tanzania Mainland is primarily governed by the Land Act, Cap. 113 R.E. 2019, the Village Land Act, Cap. 114 R.E. 2019, and the Land Disputes Courts Act, Cap. 216 R.E. 2019. These statutes establish a hierarchical system for dispute resolution, starting from Village Land Councils and Ward Tribunals (primarily for mediation), progressing to District Land and Housing Tribunals, the High Court (Land Division), and ultimately the Court of Appeal of Tanzania. The campaign's emphasis on bringing legal services to the grassroots will facilitate access to these local dispute resolution mechanisms, which are often the first point of contact for citizens. It is also pertinent to note the recent clarification by the Court of Appeal in *The Attorney General v. Emmanuel Marangakis & Others* (Civil Application No. 278/01 of 2023), which affirmed that foreign heirs cannot inherit land in Tanzania, aligning succession law with national land policy.

**Inheritance conflicts** are another critical area, often fraught with complexities arising from the interplay of statutory law (primarily the Law of Marriage Act, 1971), customary law, and Islamic law. These diverse legal systems frequently lead to discriminatory outcomes, particularly for women, widows, and daughters, who may be denied equal inheritance rights, perpetuating their economic vulnerability. The campaign's intervention in this area is vital for promoting equitable distribution of estates and challenging discriminatory customary practices. Similarly, **labour grievances** are addressed under the Employment and Labour Relations Act, 2004 (ELRA), which provides a framework for employer-employee relations, working conditions, and dispute resolution through institutions like the Commission for Mediation and Arbitration (CMA). The campaign specifically targets issues such as unfair termination, unpaid leave, and gender-based harassment in workplaces and universities, responding to numerous complaints from students and workers.

Finally, the campaign's focus on **gender-based violence (GBV)** is critical, given its pervasive nature. Tanzanian law addresses GBV through various statutes, including the Sexual Offences Special Provisions Act, 1998, and the Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Act, 2019. While the Law of Marriage Act, 1971, contains some provisions, its reform, particularly concerning child marriage, remains a pressing issue. The campaign's commitment to eliminating GBV and harassment, coupled with public legal education, is essential for empowering victims and fostering a culture of accountability. The promotion of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms is a cross-cutting strategy, aiming to provide flexible, cost-effective, and accessible pathways to justice, thereby reducing reliance on lengthy court processes.

The second phase of the Mama Samia Legal Aid Campaign represents a robust and comprehensive effort to operationalize the right to access justice for all Tanzanians. By expanding its reach to the remotest corners of the country and focusing on critical areas such as land, inheritance, labour, and gender-based violence, the campaign has the potential to significantly empower citizens and foster a more just and equitable society. The commitment to public legal education and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms is particularly commendable, as these are crucial for preventative justice and efficient conflict resolution.

For legal practitioners, this campaign signals an increased demand for legal aid services, particularly from vulnerable populations who previously lacked access. It also highlights the growing importance of paralegals and community-based legal assistance. Practitioners should anticipate opportunities for collaboration with government initiatives and non-state actors in delivering these vital services. Moving forward, it will be crucial to monitor the campaign's sustained funding, the effectiveness of its implementation in remote areas, and its impact on driving necessary legal reforms, especially concerning discriminatory inheritance laws and the Law of Marriage Act. The success of this campaign will not only be measured by the number of individuals served but also by its lasting contribution to strengthening the rule of law and ensuring that justice is truly accessible to every Tanzanian.