Tanzania's Judiciary has intensified efforts to strengthen the quality of justice delivery by equipping newly appointed Court of Appeal judges with the skills and knowledge required to handle complex appeals and uphold constitutional principles.
Speaking at the opening of an induction programme for newly appointed Court of Appeal judges in Dodoma on Monday, Court of Appeal Judge and Principal of the Institute of Judicial Administration (IJA) Lushoto, Dr Paul Kihwelo, said the training is designed to prepare judges to discharge their duties with professionalism, confidence and efficiency.
The programme, officially opened by Chief Justice George Masaju, brings together nine recently appointed Court of Appeal judges for orientation before they begin serving at the country's highest appellate court.
Dr Kihwelo said the induction reflects the Judiciary's commitment to continuous professional development and institutional excellence, ensuring judges are well prepared to deliver timely and fair justice.
He praised Chief Justice Masaju for not only approving the programme but also serving as one of its facilitators despite his demanding schedule, describing the move as a clear demonstration of the Judiciary's commitment to capacity building.
"The Judiciary is determined to ensure that every judge appointed to a new position receives adequate preparation before assuming office. This enables them to perform their responsibilities professionally and confidently," Dr Kihwelo said.
He also thanked President Samia Suluhu Hassan for her continued confidence in the Judiciary through the appointment of new Court of Appeal judges, saying the appointments have strengthened the institution's capacity to administer justice.
According to Dr Kihwelo, the induction programme is implemented under the Judiciary Training Policy of 2019 and the National Training Policy, making it part of a broader strategy to improve judicial performance.
Since the programme was introduced in 2019, the Judiciary has conducted five induction courses for Court of Appeal judges, reflecting sustained investment in judicial capacity and professional development.
The training is facilitated by experienced serving and retired appellate judges, who are guiding participants through practical discussions on the day-to-day work of the Court of Appeal.
Topics include constitutional principles, administration of the Court of Appeal, procedures governing appeals heard by a single judge and by a panel of judges, revision applications, and key procedural differences between the High Court and the Court of Appeal.
Dr Kihwelo urged the judges to remain focused on the Judiciary's primary mandate of resolving disputes and ensuring justice is served, warning against allowing procedural technicalities to obstruct access to justice.
"The primary responsibility of the courts is to resolve disputes and ensure justice is delivered in accordance with the Constitution and the law. Technical procedures should not become obstacles where the law allows justice to prevail," he said.
Recognising the demanding nature of judicial work, the programme also includes sessions on mental health and stress management to help judges maintain their wellbeing while handling increasingly complex cases.
In line with the Judiciary's digital transformation agenda, all training materials are being distributed through a QR code platform, enabling participants to access both current and previous course materials electronically while reducing paper consumption.
Rather than relying on conventional lectures, the programme uses interactive discussions and experience-sharing sessions, allowing newly appointed judges to learn directly from seasoned members of the bench.
Dr Kihwelo said experience from previous induction programmes has shown that the approach strengthens judges' confidence and enhances their readiness to undertake appellate responsibilities, ultimately contributing to a more efficient and responsive justice system.
