Media Wire Express Correspondent
Mama Samia Legal Aid Campaign (MSLAC) Team has joined President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s Morogoro tour vowing to help resolve complex legal challenges facing the citizen.
Speaking during the ongoing official working tour in Morogoro, Assistant Director for Justice Monitoring in the Ministry of Constitution and Legal Affairs, Beatrice Mpembo, said the target is to ensure each and every individual facing legal challenges is supported free of charge.
The three-year campaign was recently launched to provide legal aid services to citizens across the country who are unable to afford Advocates and Lawyers costs.
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“We will be with the President throughout her visit in Morogoro, along with our honorable Minister Pindi Chana and district and regional legal aides. Whenever the President visits a location and someone has a legal challenge, we take note and work on it,” Beatrice said.
President Samia’s six-day visit to Morogoro began on August 2nd and is expected to end on the 7th of this month. The Director says a large number of individuals including the Maasai community have benefited with the legal service.
“Our target is to provide all the necessary assistance in addition to legal education on frequent disputes,” she said.
While dozens of barristers are joining the Presidential motorcade, a section of legal experts are attending the public at the ongoing Nane Nane exhibitions in the region.
President Samia is on a working visit to inspect and review various development projects in the Morogoro Region districts. She has already visited Gairo, Kilosa, Mvomero, Kilombero and Ifakara districts.
The experts say majority citizens have limited understanding of their legal rights and how to protect them. “Our team at Nane Nane exhibitions is offering a unique opportunity for citizens to get in touch with legal experts.”
“Legal aid is a crucial step in helping citizens secure their rights and understand how to handle their legal problems. This service increases legal awareness among the public and helps them lead more equitable and just lives,” she said.
Jerome Kiangi, a beneficiary of legal aid from the Mama Samia campaign, praised President Samia for her initiative to assist citizens who cannot resolve their legal issues on their own.
“I truly commend President Samia for her compassion towards Tanzanians. She has recognized that many of us need legal assistance. I came here and was heard by lawyers who assured me that my housing dispute will be addressed. I am very grateful,” said Jerome.
Another citizen, John Lubeja, also appreciated President Samia’s decision to send lawyers to the exhibitions, highlighting how it has been a lifeline for those who are unable to access legal services.
“Finding a lawyer can be very costly, so services like these being made available to citizens for free at exhibitions is highly commendable and gratifying,” Lubeja said.
Recently, Ester Msambazi, Acting Director of Legal Aid Services from the Ministry of Constitutional Affairs and Law, said the Mama Samia Legal Aid Campaign plans to extend its reach to 19 regions starting this month to ensure financially disadvantaged citizens receive legal support.
At least 500,000 citizens have so far benefited since the campaign was launched last year.
The campaign is being implemented in partnership with various stakeholders, including the Tanganyika Law Society (TLS), the Tanzania Women Lawyers Association (TAWLA), and the Government Lawyers Association (TBA).
“We have received tremendous support from the judiciary and the Prison Service in coordinating how we reach prisoners and detainees with legal aid. We request continued cooperation to achieve this important task of assisting citizens,” she added.
Msambazi emphasized that they have been working closely with paralegals and urged them to continue collaborating with the government to provide legal services, as many cannot afford private lawyers. > Media Wire: She encouraged legal aides in various regions to dedicate themselves to helping citizens by preparing court documents and advising them on their rights.
“This service is ongoing, and legal aides will continue to visit various regions, including those previously covered, to provide legal education to citizens,” she concluded.
Since it was launched, the campaign has covered several regions including Dodoma, Dar es Salaam, Manyara, Singida, Simiyu, Shinyanga, Njombe, and Ruvuma.
