Dodoma – At the annual Law Day commemoration in Dodoma on Monday, February 2, 2026, a unified message emerged from the nation’s top legal minds: a fair and impartial justice system is the bedrock of economic growth and social stability.
The event, themed “The Contribution of the Judiciary to National Development and Prosperity,” marked the official opening of the 2026 judicial year.
Representing President Samia Suluhu Hassan, Vice President Dr Emmanuel Nchimbi affirmed the government’s commitment to bolstering the judiciary.
“Judicial independence is essential for the courts to discharge their constitutional mandates and foster national prosperity,” he stated, while also cautioning against its misuse.
“Judicial independence is a mandate to deliver justice with integrity and in accordance with the Constitution,” he warned, urging judges to avoid using it as a shield for “negligence or bias.”
READ MORE: Top Lawyer Warns ‘Arbitrary Rule’ Undermining Tanzania’s Justice System
This sentiment was echoed by Chief Justice George Masaju, who emphasised that the judiciary’s authority and independence are constitutionally protected. He outlined a vision for a more efficient and accessible justice system, announcing significant reforms.
These include the introduction of an artificial intelligence-based system for real-time court transcription and translation, and new rules requiring bail decisions to be made on the same day of application to enhance transparency and reduce opportunities for corruption.
“Justice means a decision made by the Court in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution and the laws of the country, according to the evidence presented in court,” the Chief Justice asserted. “And it is not a perception.”
The theme of accountability resonated strongly, particularly in the context of the October 2025 general election. The President of the Tanganyika Law Society (TLS), Boniface Mwabukusi, made a passionate plea for national healing.
“During this period, we should ask leaders, when they have nothing urgent to discuss, not to speak on matters that hurt citizens’ hearts; let us seek wisdom from God to restore the nation together,” he urged.
READ MORE:Lawyers in Tanzania Decry State’s Interference With Their Right to Work
Mr Mwabukusi stressed the need for a path forward “guided by truth, justice, transparency, and accountability.”
Deputy Attorney General Samuel Maneno reinforced the link between a credible judiciary and economic progress. Quoting former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, he said, “An independent judiciary is a country’s best guarantee of fairness, justice, and development.”
He highlighted that a trusted legal system that protects property rights and enforces contracts is crucial for attracting investment.
The government has pledged to continue supporting the judiciary by improving infrastructure, increasing human resources, and enhancing welfare for judicial staff to bring justice services closer to all citizens.
This includes a plan to construct new primary courts in every ward that currently lacks one, further demonstrating the commitment to making “timely and accessible justice for all” a reality, as articulated in the judiciary’s vision.
