MAHAKAMA SINGIDA YATOA ELIMU YA UKATILI WA KIJINSIA KWA WANAFUNZI WA TIA

Na EVA LESHANGE & AMIRI BAKARI, Mahakama – Singida

Mahakama ya Tanzania mkoani Singida kwa kushirikiana na Wadau mbalimbali wa haki na ustawi wa jamii imetoa elimu kuhusu Ukatili wa Kijinsia kwa Wanafunzi wa mwaka wa kwanza wa Chuo cha Uhasibu Tanzania (TIA) Kampasi ya Singida, kwa lengo la kuongeza uelewa kuhusu madhara ya ukatili huo na kuhamasisha ushiriki wa jamii katika kuzuia na kutokomeza vitendo hivyo.

Elimu hiyo ilitolewa na Hakimu wa Mahakama ya Mwanzo Utemini, Mhe. Saidi Saidi ambaye alifafanua maana ya ukatili wa kijinsia, aina zake, sababu zinazochangia kutokea kwake, athari zake kwa mtu binafsi, familia na taifa kwa ujumla, pamoja na wajibu wa kila mwananchi katika kupambana na vitendo hivyo.

Akizungumza wakati wa semina hiyo, Mhe. Saidi alisema, “ukatili wa kijinsia ni changamoto inayokiuka haki za binadamu na kuathiri ustawi wa jamii pamoja na maendeleo ya Taifa. Hivyo; ni muhimu kwa wanafunzi na wananchi kwa ujumla kutambua viashiria vya ukatili huo, kutoa taarifa kwa mamlaka husika wanaposhuhudia au kufanyiwa vitendo vya ukatili, na kushiriki kikamilifu katika juhudi za kuzuia na kutokomeza vitendo hivyo.”

 Aidha, alibainisha kwamba, mapambano dhidi ya ukatili wa kijinsia yanahitaji ushirikiano wa wadau wote ili kujenga jamii salama, yenye usawa na inayoheshimu haki na utu wa kila mtu.

Washiriki walipata elimu kuhusu aina mbalimbali za ukatili wa kijinsia ikiwemo ukatili wa kimwili, kingono, kisaikolojia, kiuchumi na ukatili wa kimtandao. Aidha, walielezwa kuhusu athari za ukatili huo ambazo ni pamoja na majeraha ya mwili, matatizo ya afya, msongo wa mawazo, kuvunjika kwa familia na kupungua kwa nguvu kazi ya Taifa.

Katika kuimarisha mapambano dhidi ya ukatili wa kijinsia, wanafunzi walifahamishwa kuhusu sheria mbalimbali zinazolinda haki za wanawake na watoto nchini, zikiwemo Katiba ya Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania ya mwaka 1977, Kanuni ya Adhabu, Sheria ya Mtoto, pamoja na sheria nyingine zinazolinda haki za binadamu.

Mbali na Mahakama, Semina hiyo ilihusisha ushiriki wa Taasisi mbalimbali ambazo ni pamoja na Taasisi ya Kuzuia na Kupambana na Rushwa (TAKUKURU), Dawati la Jinsia la Jeshi la Polisi, Ofisi ya Ustawi wa Jamii pamoja na Ofisi ya Taifa ya Mashtaka (NPS), ambazo kwa pamoja zilitoa elimu na ufafanuzi wa majukumu yao katika kushughulikia masuala ya ukatili wa kijinsia na kutoa huduma kwa waathirika.

Wanafunzi walihimizwa kutoa taarifa mara wanaposhuhudia au kufanyiwa vitendo vya ukatili wa kijinsia, kutafuta msaada wa kitabibu kwa wakati pamoja na kutumia vyombo vya sheria na mamlaka husika ili kuhakikisha haki inapatikana.

Kwa ujumla, semina hiyo ililenga kuongeza uelewa kwa wanafunzi kuhusu madhara ya ukatili wa kijinsia, kukuza utamaduni wa kuheshimu haki za binadamu, na kuhamasisha jamii kushiriki kikamilifu katika kutokomeza vitendo vya ukatili wa kijinsia. Hata hivyo, washiriki walieleza kufurahishwa na elimu waliyoipata na kuahidi kuwa mabalozi wa kupinga ukatili wa kijinsia ndani na nje ya mazingira ya chuo.

Wanafunzi wa Chuo cha Uhasibu Tanzania (TIA) Kampasi ya Singida wakifuatilia kwa makini mada kuhusu ukatili wa kijinsia iliyokuwa ikitolewa na Hakimu wa Mahakama ya Mwanzo Utemini, Mhe. Saidi Saidi.

 Hakimu wa Mahakama ya Mwanzo Utemini, Mhe. Saidi Saidi akitoa mada kwa wanafunzi wa Chuo cha Uhasibu Tanzania (TIA) Kampasi ya Singida katika programu ya elimu na uhamasishaji kuhusu masuala ya sheria. 

Mwanafunzi wa Chuo cha Uhasibu Tanzania (TIA) Kampasi ya Singida akiuliza swali wakati wa semina ya elimu kuhusu ukatili wa kijinsia iliyowaleta pamoja wanafunzi pamoja na wadau wa sheria kwa ajili ya kujadili namna ya kuzuia na kukabiliana na vitendo vya ukatili wa kijinsia.

Wadau mbalimbali wa haki jinai na sheria wakitoa elimu kwa Wanafunzi wa Chuo cha Uhasibu Tanzania (TIA) Kampasi ya Singida kuhusu ukatili wa kijinsia huku wakisisitiza umuhimu wa kuzuia, kuripoti na kuchukua hatua dhidi ya vitendo hivyo katika jamii.

(Habari hii imehaririwa na MARY GWERA, Mahakama)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

JAJI RWIZILE AONGOZA KIKAO CHA KAMATI YA UONGOZI WA MAHAKAMA KIGOMA

•  Wajadili masuala mbalimbali ya kuimarisha huduma ya utoaji haki mapema ipasavyo

Na AIDAN ROBERT, Mahakama-Kigoma

Katika kuendelea kusukuma jukumu la utoaji haki mapema ipasavyo tarehe 24 Oktoba, 2026, Kamati ya Uongozi wa Mahakama Kigoma ilifanya kikao chake cha kimkakati kilichoongozwa na Jaji Mfawidhi wa Mahakama Kuu ya Tanzania Masjala Ndogo Kigoma, Mhe. Augustine Rwizile.

Kikao hicho kilichofanyikia kwenye ukumbi wa Mahakama ya Wazi Wilaya ya Kakonko kililenga  kutathmini utendaji kazi katika mnyororo wa utoaji haki, kusimamia maadili na kutatua changamoto zinazoweza kukwamisha utekelezaji wa majukumu ya watumishi na kufanya wananchi kutopata haki mapema ipasavyo.

Mhe. Rwizile amewasisitiza Viongozi na Mahakimu kuhakikisha mlundikano wa mashauri unashughulikiwa kwa kasi inayotakiwa, huku viwango vya weledi na haki vikipewa kipaumbele cha kwanza.

Vilevile kikao hicho kimeweka msisitizo mkubwa katika suala la uwajibikaji wa kila mtumishi kuanzia ngazi ya chini hadi juu, kikionya dhidi ya ucheleweshaji wa shauri lolote bila sababu za msingi.

“Vikao hivi ndio msingi wa mafanikio ya utendaji wetu hasa tunapokutana na kujadili, kutatua changamoto kupitia tathmini ya shughuli za utendaji katika vituo vyetu, tushirikiane wote katika kusimamia vema watumishi waliopo chini yetu ili kutembea pamoja katika kutekeleza mikakati tunayokubaliana na kuitekeleza ili kuboresha utendaji wetu,” alisema Jaji Rwizile.

Naye, Jaji wa Mahakama Kuu ya Tanzania Masjala Ndogo Kigoma, Mhe. John Nkwabi amewakumbusha Viongozi na Watumishi waliopo chini yao kushiriki vema katika mfumo wa umoja wa kusaidiana wa Mahakama Kigoma ili kuweka hazina ya michango yao itakayosaidia mtumishi pale anapopatwa na shida ya maafa katika familia yake, akisema kuwa, hatua hiyo italeta umoja na usawa katika masuala ya kijamii.

Kwa upande wake Naibu Msajili wa Mahakama Kuu ya Tanzania Masjala Ndogo Kigoma, Mhe. Fadhili Mbelwa amesema kuwa, Progamu ya Malezi imeanzishwa chini ya Ofisi ya Jaji Mkuu wa Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania, Mhe. George Masaju na kuratibiwa na Jaji wa Mahakama ya Rufani, Mhe. Dkt. Benhajj Masoud ambaye ni Mwenyekiti wa Kamati ya Kitaifa akisaidiwa na Msajili wa Mahakama Kuu ya Tanzania, Mhe. Chiganga Tengwa ambaye ni Katibu wa Kamati hiyo Kitaifa.

Mhe. Mbelwa aliendelea kusema kuwa, Programu hiyo ina maelekezo ya kuanzishwa kwa kamati ndogo za kanda katika kutekeleza jukumu hilo, kila Mlezi anapaswa kukaa na Walelewa kwa kuangalia namna bora ya utekelezaji wa mpango huo kufanikiwa kwa ufanisi.

Aliongeza kuwa, mpango unaweza kutekelezwa kwa kukutana au kwa njia ya Mahakama mtandao kutokana na ratiba walizojipangia. Ameeleza kuwa, hadi sasa Walezi wengi wameshakutana na walelewa kama sehemu ya utekelezaji wa Programu hiyo, na baadhi ya walelewa wameshatoa mrejesho chanya wa faida wanayoipata kwenye mpango huo maridhawa.

Amesema kwamba, Programu hiyo inaendelea kuleta matokeo  yanayosaidia kuwajenga Maofisa Mahakama kutenda kazi kwa maadili na weledi mkubwa katika kutoa haki mapema ipasavyo, ikienda sambamba na uongozi katika majukumu yao ya kila siku katika vituo vyao vya kazi.

Aidha, wajumbe wa kikao hicho walipata fursa ya kupanda miti ya kivuli katika eneo la wazi liliopo katika Mahakama ya Wilaya Kakonko ikiwa ni muendelezo wa utamaduni wa wajumbe hao kila kikao cha tathmini kwa kila robo ya mwaka husika.

Katika ziara hiyo iliyoambatana na Kikao cha Kamati ya Uongozi, Jaji Mfawidhi, Mhe. Rwizile aliambatana na Viongozi wengine akiwemo Mtendaji wa Mahakama Kuu Masjala Ndogo Kigoma, Bw. Yusufu Mhoja, Hakimu Mkazi Mfawidhi wa Mahakama ya Hakimu Mkazi Kigoma, Mhe. Aristida Tarimo, Mahakimu Wakazi Wafawidhi wa Mahakama za Wilaya, Wakuu wa Idara za Mahakama Kuu Kigoma na Maofisa Tawala kutoka Mahakama ya Hakimu Mkazi Kigoma, Mahakama za Wilaya Kigoma, Kibondo,  Uvinza, Kasulu, Buhigwe na  Kakonko.

Jaji Mfawidhi wa Mahakama Kuu ya Tanzania Masjala Ndogo Kigoma,  Mhe. Augustine Rwizile akisisitiza jambo kwa wajumbe wa Kamati ya Uongozi kilichofanyika tarehe 24 Oktoba, 2026 kwenye ukumbi wa Mahakama ya Wazi Wilaya Kakonko.

Jaji wa Mahakama Kuu ya Tanzania Masjala Ndogo Kigoma, Mhe. John Nkwabi akitoa neno kwa wajumbe kabla kufunga Kikao cha Kamati ya Uongozi ya Mahakama Kigoma.

Mtendaji wa Mahakama Kuu ya Tanzania Masjala Ndogo Kigoma, Bw. Yusuph Mhoja akifafanua jambo kwa wajumbe wa Kikao cha Kamati ya Uongozi alipokuwa akiwasilisha taarifa ya utendaji ya mwaka wa fedha 2026/2027.

Mkaguzi wa Ndani wa Mahakama Kuu ya Tanzania Masjala Ndogo Kanda Kigoma, Bw. Peter Mwaihola akiwasilisha taarifa ya ukaguzi wakati wa Kikao cha Kamati ya Uongozi wa Mahakama Kigoma.

Jaji wa Mahakama Kuu ya Tanzania Masjala Ndogo Kigoma, Mhe. John Nkwabi akikabidhi Kompyuta Mpakato (Laptop) kwa Ofisa Rasilimali Watu wa Mahakama ya Wilaya Uvinza, Bw. Tumaini Panga ili kuendelea kuboresha utendaji wake katika eneo la matumizi ya Teknolojia ya Habari na Mawasiliano (TEHAMA) katika Wilaya hiyo.

Sehemu ya Wajumbe wa Kikao cha Kamati ya Uongozi wa Mahakama Kigoma wakifuatilia kwa makini mijadala iliyokuwa ikiendelea katika kikao hicho.

Jaji Mfawidhi wa Mahakama Kuu ya Tanzania Masjala Ndogo Kigoma,  Mhe. Augustine Rwizile akipanda mti wa kivuli eneo la mbele ya uzio wa Jengo la Mahakama ya Wilaya Kakonko mara baada ya kumalizika Kikao cha Kamati ya Uongozi wa Mahakama Kigoma.

Jaji Mfawidhi wa Mahakama Kuu ya Tanzania Masjala Ndogo Kigoma,  Mhe. Augustine Rwizile (katikati) akiwa katika picha ya pamoja na Viongozi na Wakuu wa Vitengo Mahakama Kuu Masjala Ndogo Kigoma. Wa pili kushoto ni Jaji wa Mahakama Kuu ya Tanzania Masjala Ndogo Kigoma, Mhe. John Nkwabi, wa kwanza kushoto ni Naibu Msajili Mahakama Kuu ya Tanzania Masjala Ndogo Kigoma, Mhe. Fadhili Mbelwa, wa pili kulia ni Mtendaji wa Mahakama Kuu ya Tanzania Masjala Ndogo Kigoma, Bw. Yusuph Mhoja na wa kwanza kulia ni Hakimu Mkazi Mfawidhi wa Wilaya Kakonko, Mhe. Ambilike Kyamba.

(Habari hii imehaririwa na MARY GWERA, Mahakama-Serengeti)

 

WATUMISHI WA MAHAKAMA PWANI WAFANYA MATENDO YA HURUMA KITUO CHA WATOTO YATIMA BULOMA

Na EUNICE LUGIANA & ZAKIA ALLY, Mahakama-Kibaha

Kaimu Hakimu Mkazi Mfawidhi wa Mahakama ya Hakimu Mkazi Pwani, Mhe. Emmael Lukumai amewaongoza Watumishi wa Mahakama ya Hakimu Mkazi na Mahakama ya Wilaya Kibaha-Pwani kufanya ziara ya matendo ya huruma katika Kituo cha Kulea Yatima na Watoto Wenye Uhitaji wanaoishi katika Mazingira Magumu cha Buloma (Buloma Foundation Orphanage Centre) kilichopo Sofu, Wilaya ya Kibaha mkoani Pwani.

Akizungumza baada ya kukabidhi mahitaji hayo jana tarehe 23 Oktoba, 2026, Mhe. Lukumai alisema lengo la ziara hiyo lilikuwa ni kuwaona, kuwafariji na kuwakabidhi mahitaji mbalimbali watoto wanaolelewa katika kituo hicho, ikiwa ni sehemu ya kuunga mkono juhudi za Serikali na jamii katika kusaidia makundi yenye uhitaji na kuimarisha mahusiano mema kati ya Mahakama na jamii wanayoitumikia.

Kadhalika akizungumza na watoto hao, Mhe. Lukumai amewahimiza kusoma kwa bidii na kuwa na nidhamu ili waweze kufikia ndoto zao na wawe wenye tija kwa Taifa hapo baadaye.

Amesema Mahakama Kibaha itaendelea kuwa karibu na kituo hicho na jamii kwa ujumla katika matendo ya kijamii na kusaidia pale inapowezekana.

Kwa upande wao, watoto wa kituo hicho wametoa shukrani zao za dhati kwa watumishi wa Mahakama ya Hakimu Mkazi na Mahakama ya Wilaya Kibaha kwa msaada waliowapatia, wakisema msaada huo umekuja wakati muafaka na utawasaidia katika mahitaji yao ya kila siku.

Naye Mratibu wa Kituo cha Buloma cha Kulelea Watoto Yatima (Buloma Foundation Orphanage Centre), Bw. Baraka Peter ambaye ni aliwaeleza Watumishi wa Mahakama Pwani kuwa, kwa sasa kituo  kinahudumia jumla ya watoto 69 wenye umri kuanzia mwaka mmoja hadi miaka 22. Watoto hao wapo katika ngazi mbalimbali za elimu kuanzia shule ya awali, shule ya msingi, sekondari hadi elimu ya vyuo vikuu. 

Aidha, katika ziara hiyo watumishi walipata fursa ya kutembelea mabweni ya watoto hao ambapo wamebaini kuwa yapo katika hali nzuri ya usafi na utunzaji mzuri huku kila mtoto akiwa na kitanda chake.

Pamoja na hali hiyo nzuri, kituo hicho bado kinakabiliwa na changamoto mbalimbali hivyo, uongozi wa kituo umetoa wito kwa wadau, taasisi mbalimbali, makampuni na watu binafsi kujitokeza kutoa msaada ili kuendelea kulea watoto hao katika mazingira bora zaidi ikiwa ni pamoja na kuwalipia Bima ya Matibabu ambayo inagharimu kiasi cha Shilingi za Kitanzania 50,400/= kwa kila mtoto mmoja kwa mwaka.

Pia Mkurugenzi wa kituo hicho, Bi. Anna Kyando aliwashukuru Watumishi wa Mahakama Pwani kwa msaada walioutoa na kusema kwamba, kutoa ni ibada na ipo katika Dini zote kwamba tuwahurumie wahitaji na kwa kufanya hivyo unakuwa umemgusa Mwenyezi Mungu moja kwa moja.

Watumishi wa Mahakama ya Hakimu Mkazi na Mahakama ya Wilaya Kibaha wakiwa katika picha ya pamoja na Watoto wa Kituo cha Kulea Watoto Yatima cha Buloma (Buloma Orphanage Foundation Centre) baada ya kupokea mahitaji waliyopeleka tarehe 23 Oktoba, 2026.

Kaimu Hakimu Mkazi Mfawidhi wa Mahakama ya Hakimu Mkazi Pwani, Mhe. Emmael Lukumai akizungumza na Watoto wa Kituo cha Kulelea Watoto Yatima cha Buloma (Buloma Foundation Orphanage Centre) walipowatembelea kituoni hapo tarehe 23 Oktoba, 2026.

Watumishi wa Mahakama wakipokelewa na Watoto wa Kituo cha Buloma Foundation walipowasili katika kituo hicho kwa ajili ya kutoa misaada.

Mratibu wa Kituo cha Buloma Foundation Orphanage Centre, Bw. Baraka Peter akitoa maelezo kuhusu kituo hicho kwa watumishi wa Mahakama Pwani (hawapo katika picha) walipotembelea Kituo hicho tarehe 23 Oktoba, 2026.

Watoto wa Kituo cha Watoto Yatima cha Buloma (Buloma Foundation Orphanage Centre) wakiwafurahia na kuwakaribisha watumishi wa Mahakama Pwani walipofika kituoni hapo.

Ofisa Tawala wa Mahakama ya Hakimu Mkazi Pwani, Bi. Stumai Hozza akizungumza neno la kuwatia moyo Watoto wa kituo hicho.

(Habari hii imehaririwa na MARY GWERA, Mahakama-Serengeti)

 

 

 

 

CHIEF REGISTRAR HIGHLIGHTS TANZANIA’S JUDICIARY REMARKABLE IP ACHIEVEMENTS AT WIPO JUDGES FORUM

By Upendo Ngitiri, Judiciary of Tanzania, 21 October,2026 Geneva Switzerland

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) convened its annual Intellectual Property (IP) Judges Forum on 14 and 15 October 2026 at WIPO Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The Forum brought together judges from various jurisdictions to exchange experiences and discuss emerging developments and challenges in intellectual property adjudication and Artificial Intelligence (AI).

During the Forum, the Director of the WIPO Judicial Institute, Ms. Eun Joo Min, delivered a presentation on WIPO’s collaboration with judiciaries worldwide. She highlighted WIPO’s continued commitment to strengthening intellectual property adjudication through international judicial exchanges, continuing judicial education, the development and dissemination of judicial resources, and the provision of policy and technical assistance. These initiatives aim to enhance judicial capacity, promote the fair and effective administration of justice, and facilitate access to legal information and resources that support intellectual property protection and innovation ecosystems.

Among the judiciaries collaborating with WIPO, the Judiciary of Tanzania stood out as a model of successful and rewarding international cooperation, having recorded significant achievements through its longstanding partnership with WIPO. In recognition of this experience, the Chief Registrar of the Judiciary of Tanzania, Hon. Eva Nkya, was invited to share the Judiciary’s success story, highlighting how the collaboration had evolved over the years and the remarkable benefits realised in strengthening judicial capacity and professional development.

Addressing the Forum, Hon. Nkya traced the origins of the partnership to 2018, when Upendo Ngitiri, participated in a WIPO training programme in Stockholm, Sweden. She explained that this training opportunity led to the establishment of a collaboration between WIPO and the Judiciary of Tanzania, which subsequently culminated in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding in March 2021. Since then, the collaboration has grown considerably, becoming a highly productive and rewarding partnership.

The Chief Registrar highlighted capacity building as one of the most significant achievements of the collaboration, noting that judges and magistrates had benefited from specialised intellectual property training through online courses, workshops, judicial colloquia and international forums. She particularly commended WIPO for facilitating access to international expertise and high-quality training opportunities to the Judiciary.

Of particular significance was her revelation that more than 1,270 judicial officers had benefited from intellectual property training programmes supported through the collaboration. She described this achievement as an important milestone in strengthening judicial expertise in a specialised and rapidly evolving area of law.

Beyond the impressive number of beneficiaries, Hon. Nkya emphasised the remarkable impact of the partnership on the administration of justice. She observed that the training programmes had enhanced judicial officers’ understanding of intellectual property law, strengthened their confidence in handling related disputes and contributed to improvements in the quality of judicial decisions. The collaboration had also stimulated greater awareness and interest in intellectual property matters, making the subject increasingly familiar among judges and magistrates.

Another notable achievement highlighted by the Chief Registrar was the growing international recognition of Tanzanian judicial officers. She cited the appointment of Hon. Dr. Mustapher Mohamed Siyani, Principal Judge of the High Court of Tanzania, as a member of the WIPO Advisory Board of Judges, a distinguished international body comprising judges from different jurisdictions.

She further revealed that eight Judges  have been listed as WIPO  mediators, while other judicial officers had gained opportunities to participate in professional networks and judicial engagements. These developments demonstrated how the collaboration had opened doors for Tanzanian judicial officers to gain international exposure, build professional relationships and contribute their expertise beyond national borders.

The Chief Registrar also acknowledged WIPO’s invaluable support in providing judicial learning materials, access to international jurisprudence and opportunities for knowledge exchange with experts from different legal systems. She noted that these resources had enabled judicial officers to broaden their perspectives, appreciate emerging legal developments and learn from different approaches to resolving intellectual property disputes.

In addition, the collaboration has contributed to strengthening mediation through capacity-building training and the use of WIPO’s online mediation tools, thereby supporting the Judiciary’s efforts to promote and enhance the use of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms.

Hon. Nkya further highlighted the positive impact of the partnership on the Judiciary’s engagement with national stakeholders involved in intellectual property administration, innovation, creativity and enforcement. Through joint initiatives, the collaboration had strengthened institutional relationships, improved communication and fostered a greater understanding of the complementary roles of different institutions while safeguarding judicial independence.

Reflecting on the achievements realised over the years, the Chief Registrar drew the Forum’s attention to the extraordinary journey of a partnership that began with the participation of a single judicial officer in an international training programme and subsequently created opportunities for an entire institution.

She underscored that the greatest value of international cooperation lies not only in the knowledge acquired through individual training programmes but also in the lasting relationships, institutional development and professional opportunities that emerge from such engagements.

Looking ahead, Hon. Nkya expressed the Judiciary’s commitment to further strengthening its partnership with WIPO, particularly in emerging areas such as artificial intelligence and digital technology.

Concluding her presentation, the Chief Registrar expressed sincere appreciation to WIPO for its continued support and longstanding cooperation with the Judiciary of Tanzania. She underscored that the partnership had gone far beyond training, contributing to stronger judicial capacity, improved handling of intellectual property matters, enhanced professional confidence, international recognition and valuable institutional relationships.

 After the Forum, the Judiciary of Tanzania and WIPO held a series of bilateral meetings at WIPO Headquarters in Geneva to deliberate progress made under their ongoing collaboration and discuss activities planned for implementation in 2027.

The meetings were attended by Hon. Eva Nkya, Chief Registrar of the Judiciary of Tanzania; Upendo Ngitiri, the focal person for collaboration between WIPO and the Judiciary; and senior officials from the WIPO Judicial Institute, WIPO Academy and WIPO Lex.

Discussions focused on strengthening judicial capacity through training programmes, distance learning courses, customization of intellectual property courses, the development of judicial resource materials, and judicial exchanges through colloquia and international judges’ forums.

The longstanding partnership between the Judiciary of Tanzania and WIPO stands as an inspiring example of how sustained international cooperation can deliver lasting institutional benefits, and strengthen judicial expertise.

 

PRINCIPAL JUDGE DR. SIYANI SPOTLIGHTS TANZANIA’S LANDMARK COURT DECISION BEHIND IP LAW REFORM AT WIPO

By Upendo Ngitiri, Judiciary of Tanzania, 21 October,2026 Geneva Switzerland

The Principal Judge of the High Court of Tanzania, Hon. Dr. Mustapher Mohamed Siyani, has highlighted Tanzania’s landmark intellectual property (IP) law reforms at the 2026 World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) IP Judges Forum in Geneva, demonstrating how a Court of Appeal decision exposed a gap in the law and contributed to recent legislative reforms aimed at strengthening trademark protection.

The Forum, held on 14 and 15 October 2026 at WIPO Headquarters in Geneva, provided a platform for international judicial dialogue, bringing together jurists from different jurisdictions to share experiences and explore emerging challenges in intellectual property adjudication and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in court proceedings.

Speaking as a panellist during Session on cross-border aspects of intellectual property disputes, Dr. Siyani presented Tanzania’s experience through the landmark Court of Appeal decision in Lakairo Industries Group Co. Limited and Others v. Kenafric Industries Limited and Others, Civil Appeal No. 593 of 2022, [2025] TZCA 999, delivered on 26 September 2025.

He noted that the Court of Appeal, in applying the principle of territoriality, held that trademark registrations obtained outside Tanzania did not automatically confer exclusive rights within the country.

The Court further found that registrations made under the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) did not enjoy the claimed legal protection in Tanzania because the Banjul Protocol on Marks had not been domesticated.

Of particular interest was the Government’s prompt and decisive response to the legal gap identified by the Court of Appeal in its decision. Dr. Siyani highlighted how the Government swiftly amended the Trade and Service Marks Act through the Written Laws (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act No. 6 of 2026, introducing provisions recognising well-known trademarks and giving legal effect to ARIPO trademark registrations within Tanzania.

The reforms mark an important development in Tanzania’s intellectual property framework, strengthening trademark protection and addressing challenges associated with cross-border trade.

Drawing lessons from the case, Dr. Siyani underscored the important role of the Judiciary in the development of law, explaining how judicial interpretation can expose gaps in legislation and inform necessary reforms. He also highlighted the importance of aligning domestic legislation with regional and international intellectual property instruments to provide greater legal certainty for businesses operating across national borders.

Concluding his presentation, Dr. Siyani observed that while the principle of territoriality remains fundamental to intellectual property protection, its strict application can create barriers to cross-border commerce where foreign trademark registrations lack domestic recognition. He emphasised that Tanzania’s recent reforms not only address this challenge but also facilitate more secure cross-border trade, demonstrating how judicial decisions can influence legislative action and ultimately benefit businesses. As he aptly put it, this is how the law evolves “from the courtroom to the parliament to the marketplace.”

During Session 8, other distinguished panellist shared their judicial experiences in handling cross-border intellectual property disputes. Justice Iwai Naoyuki from Japan, highlighted a Supreme Court decision which ruled that a Japanese patent could be infringed despite the use of servers located in the United States, as the computer programs were provided substantially within Japan and had economic effects there. Presenting the German perspective, Justice Oliver Schön of the Munich Court explained that German courts may hear foreign patent infringement disputes, provided they have jurisdiction, while applying the law of the country where the infringement occurred.  Justice  Bart van den Broek of the Unified Patent Court, Luxembourg, discussed a Court of Appeal decision declining to extend its jurisdiction to alleged patent infringements outside the Unified Patent Court system where jurisdiction was based on damage occurring within its territory. Their presentations illustrated different judicial approaches to cross-border intellectual property disputes.

The Forum also provided a platform for deliberations on a wide range of emerging issues, including intellectual property and artificial intelligence, the use of AI in court proceedings, intellectual property at apex courts, copyright and AI model training. Other topics covered included synthetic media and digital evidence, software and digital technology patents, comparative, referential and expressive use of trademarks, online platforms, and specialised procedural rules for intellectual property disputes.

Discussions on AI in judicial proceedings attracted particular attention, generating lively debate on its potential benefits, risks and implications for the administration of justice. Jurists from Brazil, Singapore, Australia, Uzbekistan, the Republic of Korea, Luxembourg and China shared experiences of AI use within their respective judicial systems and measures adopted to address emerging challenges, including inaccurate AI-generated information, fabricated legal citations, verification of AI-assisted submissions and the development of guidelines for AI use in court proceedings.

The experience shared on the development of artificial intelligence in Kazakhstan has contributed significantly to the judiciary and government systems. Levies are collected through the use of automated machines, and the assessment of all court fees is automated within the system. The Brazilian experience with AI shows that the judiciary has developed more than 70 systems to support the dispensation of justice and prediction of outcomes, which has reduced the filing of frivolous cases in court.

The exchange of experiences, insights, and perspectives on emerging issues underscored the importance of international judicial dialogue, knowledge-sharing, and continuous professional development in addressing the evolving challenges of intellectual property adjudication and   use of Artificial Intelligence.  The Judiciary of Tanzania demonstrated its strong commitment to these efforts through the active participation of 70 judicial officers, comprising 10 Justices of the Court of Appeal, 20 Judges of the High Court, and 40 other Judicial Officers.  Among 70 participants, 13 attended the forum physically at WIPO Headquarters, while 57 participated virtually. This broad representation reflected the Judiciary's dedication to strengthening judicial capacity, promoting knowledge exchange, and enhancing expertise in intellectual property adjudication across all levels of the judicial system.

After the Forum, Dr. Siyani attended   the WIPO Advisory Board of Judges Meeting at WIPO Headquarters alongside fellow Board members.

The Judiciary of Tanzania and WIPO also held their annual bilateral meetings aiming to review progress made under their ongoing collaboration and discuss activities planned for implementation in 2027. The meetings were attended by Hon. Eva Nkya, Chief Registrar of the Judiciary of Tanzania; Upendo Ngitiri, the focal person for collaboration between WIPO and the Judiciary; and senior officials from the WIPO Judicial Institute, WIPO Academy and WIPO Lex.

 The Forum and subsequent meetings reaffirmed Tanzania’s active participation in international judicial cooperation and its commitment to strengthening intellectual property protection.

 

JAJI MFAWIDHI DODOMA AHIMIZA UTUNZANI ARDHI INAYOMILIKIWA NA MAHAKAMA

Na ARAPHA RUSHEKE – Mahakama Kuu, Dodoma

Jaji Mfawidhi wa Mahakama Kuu ya Tanzania, Masjala Ndogo Dodoma, Mhe. Joachim Tiganga, amehimza kulindwa, kutunzwa na kuwekwa alama za mipaka kwa uwazi ardhi inayomilikiwa na Mahakama ili kuzuia uvamizi na upotevu wa maeneo hayo.

Mhe. Tiganga alitoa wito huo tarehe 23 Oktoba 2026 alipokuwa anafungua kikao cha menejimenti kilichofanyika kwa njia ya mtandao, kutokea katika Mkutano katika Kituo Jumuishi cha Utoaji Haki (IJC) Dodoma.

Alisisitiza umuhimu wa kuchukua hatua za makusudi katika usimamizi wa ardhi za Mahakama ili kuhakikisha zinabaki salama kwa matumizi yaliyokusudiwa.

Mhe. Tiganga alizungumzia pia eneo la mazingira na kuwakumbusha wajumbe hao kuwa jukumu la kuhifadhi mazingira ni la kila mmoja, hivyo ni muhimu kuhakikisha maeneo ya kazi yanatunzwa na kuwa katika hali nzuri.

Alisisitiza pia misingi ya utumishi wa umma na kuwakumbusha kuzingatia weledi, uadilifu, umoja na mshikamano katika kutekeleza majukumu yao wakiwa kazini na nje ya mazingira ya kazi. Alieleza kuwa kuzingatia misingi hiyo ni muhimu katika kuimarisha uwajibikaji na kudumisha imani ya wananchi kwa Mahakama.

Aidha, Mhe Tiganga alisisitiza umuhimu wa menejimenti kama chombo muhimu cha kufuatilia, kutathmini na kujadili masuala yanayohusu utendaji wa Mahakama katika Mkoa wa Dodoma.

Aliwahimiza wajumbe kuwa huru kutoa maoni na michango yao kwa kuzingatia kuwa mawazo ya kila mmoja yana thamani na yanaweza kusaidia kuboresha utendaji kazi na utoaji wa huduma za Mahakama.

Katika kikao hicho, wajumbe walipitia na kujadili taarifa mbalimbali za utendaji kazi zilizowasilishwa, huku mjadala ukijikita katika namna bora ya kuimarisha usikilizaji wa mashauri na utoaji wa maamuzi kwa wakati.

Changamoto mbalimbali zilizobainishwa zilijadiliwa kwa lengo la kupata suluhisho na kuweka mikakati itakayosaidia kuongeza ufanisi katika utekelezaji wa majukumu ya Mahakama.

Miongoni mwa masuala yaliyojadiliwa ni uchakavu wa baadhi ya majengo ya Mahakama pamoja na changamoto nyingine zinazoathiri utekelezaji wa majukumu katika maeneo mbalimbali ya Mkoa wa Dodoma.

Kikao hicho kilifanyik, kwa lengo la kupokea na kujadili taarifa za utendaji kazi katika robo ya kwanza ya mwaka wa fedha 2026/2027. Aidha, wajumbe wa kikao hicho walifanya tathmini ya utekelezaji wa majukumu yao, kubaini changamoto na kujadili mikakati ya kuimarisha utoaji wa haki kwa wananchi.

Kikao hicho kilifanyika kwa njia ya mtandao kilishirikisha wajumbe kutoka Mahakama Kuu, Mahakama ya Hakimu Mkazi Dodoma na Mahakama ya Wilaya Dodoma waliokuwa kwenye ukumbi wa IJC.

Aidha, wajumbe kutoka Mahakama za Wilaya za Bahi, Chamwino, Chemba, Kongwa, Kondoa na Mpwapwa walishiriki kwa njia ya mtandao kupitia kiunganishi maalumu walichopatiwa.

Kikao hicho kilihitimishwa kwa kuweka na kuazimia hatua mbalimbali za utekelezaji zitakazosaidia kuboresha utendaji kazi, kuimarisha usimamizi wa shughuli za Mahakama na kuongeza ufanisi katika utoaji wa haki kwa wananchi.

Kuendelea kwa vikao vya menejimenti kwa njia ya mtandao ni sehemu ya matumizi ya Teknolojia ya Habari na Mawasiliano (TEHAMA) katika shughuli za Mahakama ya Tanzania.

Hatua hii inawezesha ushiriki wa wajumbe kutoka maeneo mbalimbali na kurahisisha mawasiliano katika utekelezaji wa majukumu ya Mahakama.

Mhe. Tiganga alihitimisha kikao hicho kwa kuwatakia wajumbe wote walioshiriki ana kwa ana na kwa njia ya mtandao kila la heri katika utekelezaji wa majukumu yao kabla ya kuahirisha kikao.

Jaji Mfawidhi wa Mahakama Kuu ya Tanzania, Masjala Ndogo Dodoma, Mhe. Joachim Tiganga Mhe Joachim Tiganga, akisikiliza jambo wakati wa kikao hicho.

Katibu wa Kikao cha Menejiment Mahakama Dodoma, ambaye pia ni Mtendaji wa Mahakama, Bw.Bedson Mariba, akiwakaribisha wajumbe wa kikao.

Sehemu ya wajumbe wa kikao hicho, wa kwanza kushoto ni Naibu Msajili wa Mahakama Kuu Masjala ndogo Mhe Asha Waziri (picha chini).

ehemu ya wajumbe walioshiriki kikao hicho kwa njia ya mtandao kutoka Mahakama za Wilaya Bahi,Chamwino,Chemba,Kongwa,Kondoa na Mpwapwa.

Habari hii imehaririwa na FAUSTINE KAPAMA-Mahakama, Dodoma.

MAHAKAMA KUU MTWARA YAMPONGEZA MSHIRIKI MICHEZO YA SHIMIWI

Na SOJO STEPHEN MWAKOBA – Mahakama, Mtwara

Mahakama Kuu ya Tanzania, Masjala Ndogo Mtwara, imempongeza mtumishi wao Bi. Leah Danda aliyeshiriki katika mashindano ya Shirikisho la Michezo ya Wizara na Idara za Serikali (SHIMIWI) kwa kufanya vizuri na kuwawakilisha vyema.

Pongezi hizo ziltolewa kwenye hafla fupi iliyofanyika tarehe 19 Oktoba, 2026 wakati wa mazoezi ya jioni yanayofanyika kila wiki. Hafla hiyo iliandaliwa kwa ajili ya kutambua juhudi, ushiriki na mafanikio katika kushiriki kwenye mashindano hayo ya michezo.

Bi. Danda alijishindia medali mbili za dhahabu baada ya kuibuka bingwa wa mbio fupi za mita mia na mbio fupi za kupokezana vijiti.

Akizungumza katika hafla hiyo fupi, Jaji Mfawidhi wa Mahakama Kuu ya Tanzania, Masjala Ndogo Mtwara, Mhe. Katarina Mteule, alimpongeza mshiriki huyo kwa juhudi alizozionesha wakati wa mashindano na kwa kuiwakilisha Mahakama Kuu Mtwara kwa heshima na mafanikio.

Mhe. Mteule alisema kuwa kushiriki katika mashindano ni kutengeneza ushirikiano bora katika jamii ya watumishi wa Serikali.

Alisisitiza umuhimu wa kuendeleza juhudi hizo kwa kufanya mazoezi mara kwa mara ili kuongeza ufanisi na kujiandaa vizuri zaidi kwa mashindano yajayo.

Aliongeza kuwa michezo ina nafasi muhimu katika kuimarisha afya za watumishi, kujenga mshikamano, kuongeza ushirikiano na kuimarisha mahusiano mazuri baina ya watumishi ndani ya Taasisi.

Alisisitiza kuwa ni muhimu kwa watumishi kuendelea kuitumia michezo kama sehemu ya kujenga umoja na kuimarisha mahusiano kazini, huku wakidumisha bidii na kujituma katika kutekeleza majukumu yao ya kila siku ya utoaji huduma za haki kwa wananchi.

Jaji Mfawidhi wa Mahakama Kuu ya Tanzania, Masjala Ndogo Mtwara, Mhe. Katarina Mteule akimkabidhi zawadi iliyoandaliwa na Mahakama Kuu Mtwara, Bi Leah Danda.

Jaji Mfawidhi wa Mahakama Kuu ya Tanzania, Masjala Ndogo Mtwara, Mhe. Katarina Mteule akimvalisha medili, Bi. Leah Danda.

Leah Danda mshiriki pekee kutoka Mahakama Kuu Mtwara akionyesha kwa furaha medali za dhahabu alishinda katika mashindano ya SHIMIWI.

Habari hii imehaririwa na FAUSTINE KAPAMA-Mahakama, Arusha.