Dar es Salaam is set to launch a major legal aid campaign next week, targeting the country’s growing backlog of land disputes, gender-based violence cases and other unresolved legal matters that have burdened its justice system.
The Mama Samia Legal Aid Campaign, named after President Samia Suluhu Hassan, will officially begin on June 16 in Dar es Salaam, with Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa expected to preside over the launch ceremony at Maturubai Grounds in Mbagala.
The initiative is part of the government’s broader efforts to expand access to justice for ordinary citizens, particularly marginalized groups who often struggle to afford legal services or navigate the country’s complex judicial processes.
“This campaign is about justice, equality, peace and development,” Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner Albert Chalamila said ahead of the launch, urging residents facing legal challenges to seek assistance.
The ten-day campaign, which will run through June 25, is being jointly organized by the Dar es Salaam Regional Office and the Ministry of Constitution and Legal Affairs.
Legal experts and gender desks will be stationed across the region, providing free consultations and mediations aimed at resolving long-standing disputes.
The legal aid drive comes amid rising incidents of gender-based violence and property disputes, particularly in rapidly urbanizing cities like Dar es Salaam, where overlapping land claims have become increasingly common.
According to Ester Msambazi, Director of Legal Services at the Ministry of Constitution and Legal Affairs, the Mama Samia campaign, which began as a national initiative in 2023, has so far reached 25 regions on mainland Tanzania and five in Zanzibar, benefiting more than two million people.
“The campaign reflects President Samia’s commitment to inclusive justice and supporting vulnerable communities,” Msambazi said.
As Tanzania undergoes rapid social and economic change, the government is facing growing pressure to strengthen rule of law and ensure that legal services are accessible to all citizens, regardless of income or social status.