MWE Correspondent
President Samia Suluhu Hassan has called on judges and magistrates across Tanzania to uphold professionalism, fairness, and integrity, stressing that public trust in the courts is built on how justice is delivered.
Speaking on January 13, 2026, during the Annual General Meeting of the Tanzania Magistrates and Judges Association (TMJA) held in Dodoma, President Samia said every judicial decision has a direct impact on citizens’ confidence in the justice system. She urged judicial officers to remain firm, impartial, and guided by the law when making rulings.
The President emphasised that judicial independence must always go hand in hand with accountability. She warned against the arrest or detention of citizens on weak or fabricated charges, saying such practices harm innocent people and weaken confidence in public institutions. According to her, integrity and courage are essential qualities for judges and magistrates, especially when dealing with sensitive cases involving ordinary citizens.
Addressing the issue of funding, President Samia explained that improvements in the Judiciary’s budget depend largely on the country’s overall economic growth, noting that national resources are generated through productivity and investment. She acknowledged the funding requests submitted by the Chief Justice but reminded legal stakeholders that budget allocation requires balancing priorities among the Executive, Legislature, and Judiciary.
She further noted that a strong Judiciary contributes directly to national economic development by ensuring disputes are resolved efficiently, contracts are enforced fairly, and investors have confidence in the legal environment. A predictable justice system, she said, creates stability that encourages business activity and long-term growth.
President Samia reaffirmed her government’s commitment to strengthening the courts, saying several reforms have already been introduced, with more planned to improve efficiency and public trust. She stressed that respect for the rule of law remains the foundation of good governance and sustainable development, adding that no nation can achieve lasting progress without independent and trusted courts.
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The President also linked the Judiciary’s responsibilities to Tanzania’s long-term national development vision for 2025–2050, which is anchored on peace, security, stability, and accountable leadership. She said the courts have a critical role in ensuring the fair implementation of that vision.
Explaining the implementation framework, President Samia said 22 percent of the vision’s targets will be delivered directly by the government, 70 percent through partnerships between the public and private sectors, and eight percent by public institutions. In this structure, she said, the Judiciary has a major responsibility to oversee fairness, resolve disputes, and protect citizens’ rights.
In her closing remarks, President Samia reiterated her commitment to safeguarding the independence of the judiciary, while urging judges and magistrates to match that independence with ethical conduct and accountability. She noted that no country can achieve social harmony or sustainable prosperity without a justice system that citizens trust.
Her address was widely received as a clear message that the courts are not only instruments of justice, but also key pillars of national unity, economic confidence, and democratic governance.
