[PRESSWIRE] DODOMA, Tanzania – 2026-02-04 — 4th February, 2026
Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan has urged judges and magistrates to uphold justice, integrity and strict adherence to the constitution, warning that judicial independence must not be used to shield negligence or bias.
In a message delivered by Vice-President Emmanuel Nchimbi at a Law Day event in Dodoma on Tuesday, Samia said judicial independence was a “sacred trust” that carries responsibility and accountability.
“Judicial independence must never be used as a shield to conceal negligence, bias or injustice,” Nchimbi said, quoting the president. “It is a trust that requires justice to be administered with integrity, transparency and strict adherence to the constitution and the laws of the land.”
He reminded members of the bench that the constitution guarantees courts freedom in dispensing justice but requires compliance with constitutional provisions.
Addressing the theme of the event, “The Contribution of the Judiciary to National Welfare and Development,”Nchimbi said the judiciary plays a broader role beyond adjudicating disputes, contributing to social welfare, economic development and national stability.
He said timely determination of cases, particularly criminal matters, strengthens peace and social cohesion, creating an environment conducive to economic and social activity.
Chief Justice George Masaju said the judiciary had made progress in handling economically significant cases, noting that between October and December 2025, courts resolved disputes worth 13 trillion Tanzanian shillings out of a total 50 trillion shillings in economic cases heard during that period.
Masaju said the judiciary had also strengthened access to bail for suspects legally entitled to it, starting at primary courts, with magistrates required to rule on bail applications on the same day they are filed unless there are compelling reasons to deny them.
The measure aims to reduce corruption risks and allow accused persons to continue economic and social activities while awaiting the conclusion of their cases, he said.
Nchimbi also said the judiciary was expanding the use of digital tools, including the development of systems using artificial intelligence to capture court proceedings and manage case records.
Attorney General Hamza Johari, in remarks delivered by his deputy, said a reliable and independent judiciary was critical to economic growth and investment, particularly through the enforcement of contracts and protection of property rights.
He said effective dispute resolution and specialised courts reduce risks for businesses, attract domestic and foreign investment and support broader economic development.
Earlier, Tanganyika Law Society president Boniface Mwabukusi called on the government to allocate additional funding to expand legal aid services, particularly for vulnerable groups, citing financial constraints faced by the legal profession.
· Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan has reaffirmed the importance of judicial integrity, accountability and constitutional compliance, cautioning that judicial independence must not be used to shield negligence, bias or injustice.
· The message was delivered by Vice-President Emmanuel Nchimbi at a Law Day event held in Dodoma, under the theme “The Contribution of the Judiciary to National Welfare and Development.”
· President Samia described judicial independence as a “sacred trust”, emphasising that courts must administer justice with integrity, transparency and strict adherence to the constitution and laws.
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