What You Need to Know
The Tanzanian government has proposed a 775bn/- budget for the 2026/27 financial year aimed at transforming the justice system through the Mama Samia Legal Aid Campaign II (MSLAC II). This initiative seeks to ensure that all citizens, regardless of their background, have access to justice, marking a significant shift in legal aid policy and implementation.
Africa-Press – Tanzania. THE Tanzanian government has unveiled an ambitious 775bn/- budget proposal for the 2026/27 financial year for the Ministry of Constitution and Legal Affairs, signalling a historic shift toward building a universal, technology-driven justice system under the second phase of the Mama Samia Legal Aid Campaign (MSLAC II).
Presenting the budget estimates in the National Assembly yesterday, the Minister for Constitution and Legal Affairs, Dr Juma Zuberi Homera, said the coming financial year marks a decisive chapter in the government’s mission to establish an inclusive justice framework that reaches all citizens regardless of their location, income or social background.
He said that through MSLAC II, the government is constructing an integrated justice system linking Central Government, Local Government Authorities, development partners and communities. The aim, he noted, is to ensure that no Tanzanian is left behind in accessing justice.
Dr Homera emphasised that the initiative is not a routine extension of services but a fundamental transformation of the country’s justice landscape.
It is designed to make justice a guaranteed right rather than a discretionary service provided on goodwill.
He urged government officials to internalise this national vision, stressing that justice delivery is a constitutional obligation and not a privilege.
He added that MSLAC II will be executed with heightened accountability, professionalism and measurable results to strengthen the rule of law, promote peace and support the nation’s socio-economic progress in line with Vision 2050.
“With this directive and the rollout of MSLAC II, the Ministry is taking historic and revolutionary steps toward building a justice system that truly reaches every citizen,” he said.
Dr Homera told lawmakers that the government is committed to transforming legal aid from a voluntary service into a fundamental right for every Tanzanian, regardless of geographic or economic limitations.
He said the shift lays a solid foundation for a just, equal and stable society where the law serves as a pillar of national unity and a trigger for sustainable development.
He explained that the Ministry’s budget places strong emphasis on digital transformation, witness protection, legal aid expansion, human resource training, and review and amendment of laws to support the rollout of Vision 2050.
The government, he said, has further directed the establishment of a national digital e-Legal Aid system within 120 days to strengthen efficiency and accountability in justice service delivery.
According to Dr Homera, the digital system will modernise case registration, track the range and quality of services provided to citizens, and support real-time data analytics for evidence-based policymaking.
It will also be linked to a national dashboard that allows real-time monitoring of performance across all levels, enhancing transparency and strengthening institutional accountability.
Through this technological shift, the government aims to create a justice ecosystem that guarantees timely, efficient and equitable access to legal rights for all citizens.
Dr Homera stressed that the 2026/27 budget has been crafted not merely to maintain government operations but to produce strategic, measurable outcomes that directly propel the implementation of Vision 2050.
He urged Parliament to support the reforms, underscoring that the goal is to build a Tanzania where justice is accessible to all, today and for generations to come.
The Ministry’s budget proposal includes allocations of 152.4bn/- for salaries, 484.9bn/- for other recurrent expenditures and 137.4bn/- for development projects, all aimed at driving a comprehensive transformation of the country’s justice system.
The Mama Samia Legal Aid Campaign (MSLAC) was launched to enhance access to justice for all Tanzanians, particularly marginalized groups. The second phase, MSLAC II, builds on previous efforts to integrate technology into the justice system, aiming to create a more inclusive and efficient legal framework. This initiative aligns with Tanzania’s Vision 2050, which emphasizes sustainable development and social equity. By prioritizing digital transformation and accountability, the government seeks to modernize legal aid and ensure it is recognized as a fundamental right.
