Prime Minister Dr. Mwigulu Nchemba has directed a major review of Tanzania’s land councils system, warning that the increasing number of land disputes across the country requires a lasting institutional solution capable of delivering justice quickly, fairly and transparently.
The move comes amid mounting land conflicts in Dodoma, where soaring land values following the government’s relocation to the capital have intensified disputes, illegal occupation of plots and uncontrolled land transactions.
Speaking on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, during a high-level meeting at the Dodoma Regional Commissioner’s Office, Dr. Nchemba said the government was determined to strengthen dispute-resolution systems to protect citizens’ rights and reinforce public trust in governance institutions.
“A proper governance system is one that enables citizens to obtain justice through strong and reliable institutions,” he said while listening to complaints from residents of Mahomanyika, Ndachi, Mbuyuni and Nkuhungu Broad Acres.
The meeting brought together senior officials from the Prime Minister’s Office–PMO-RALG, the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Human Settlements Development, the Ministry of Constitutional and Legal Affairs, the Ministry of Home Affairs, Dodoma City Council and land experts from various government agencies.
Dr. Nchemba said the time had come to reassess the structure and efficiency of land councils, noting that the system was established years ago when access to courts was limited in many parts of the country.
“At that time, the intention was to bring justice services closer to wananchi. Today, courts are available in many more locations, which gives us an opportunity to evaluate whether the current system is still the most effective,” he said.
The Prime Minister received detailed reports on the state of land disputes in Dodoma and ongoing government interventions aimed at resolving long-standing conflicts affecting residents in rapidly growing urban areas.
Minister for Constitutional and Legal Affairs Dr. Juma Homera told the meeting that the government had already prepared draft guidelines for handling land cases through the court system.
He said the remaining procedures involve submitting the document to the relevant authorities for approval before implementation begins.
On his part, Home Affairs Minister Patrobas Katambi linked the increase in disputes to the rapid appreciation of land value in Dodoma after the city became the country’s administrative capital.
“The rising value of land has contributed to increased invasions of public areas and unregulated land sales,” he said.
Deputy Minister for Lands, Housing and Human Settlements Development Kaspar Mmuya assured residents that the government would continue addressing land conflicts in accordance with the law while protecting public land from encroachment.
The latest intervention signals the government’s growing concern over land governance challenges in Dodoma, where rapid urban expansion and speculative land dealings continue to fuel tension among residents and investors alike.
