From FAUSTINE KAPAMA-Judiciary, Cape Town
The Judiciary of Tanzania
is using hybrid model of judicial communication, which is considered among the
best way of communication within Africa.
This was revealed today, September 16, 2026 by Senior Resident Magistrate from the Institute of Judicial Administration (IJA) Lushoto, Hon. Husna Rweikiza, at the ongoing African Judicial Exchange Network Roundtable is being held at Pullman Hotel City Centre here, which has been organized by CEELI Institute.
She was contributing in a
panel that discussed about Country Perspectives on Judicial Communication; Who
speaks on behalf of the Judiciary. The discussion was moderated by District
Judge from United States, Hon. John Tunheim.
Other Discussants were Justice
Henry Adonyo from Judiciary of Uganda, Justice Fatimah Nadoma from Judiciary of
Nigeria, Judge Jean Rosemary Kayira from Judiciary of Malawi and Judge Hellen
Onkwani from Judiciary of Kenya.
Speaking on the matter,
Hon. Husna stated that before enactment of the Judiciary Administration Act,
the Registrar of the Court of Appeal was accounting officer, dealing with both
case management as well as administration issues like human resources
management, as well as estate management.
“Changes of circumstances
came after the National Assembly of the United Republic of Tanzania enacted the
Judiciary Administration Act in 2011 which introduced two important offices,
that is the office of the Chief Court Administrator and the office of the Chief
Registrar,” she said.
Hon. Husna pointed out
that following such new shape, the Judiciary of Tanzania could no longer have only
one Spokesperson, as it was in the past before the enactment of the Act in
question and adopted a hybrid communication model.
“Institutional and
administrative matters are generally communicated by the Chief Court
Administrator or designated professional spokespersons, particularly through
the Information, Education and Communication Unit…
“Matters relating to the
administration of justice are communicated by the Chief Registrar, while
broader institutional policy and justice dispensation matters are mainly
communicated by the Chief Justice,” Hon. Husna told the participants.
She also explained that,
although the Judiciary had a dedicated Information, Education and Communication
Unit, comprising trained professionals, judicial communication is not limited
to the Unit. Senior judicial leaders also communicated on institutional matters
while working closely with the communication professionals.
She expounded that the
Judiciary of Tanzania use various communication channels, including press
releases, media briefings, updating website, social media platforms, public
outreach programmes, stakeholder consultations, Law Week celebrations,
exhibitions, radio and television interviews and educational forums.
As a notable example,
Hon. Husna highlighted the “Sema na Mahakama” live television programme
conducted in 2023 and 2024.
She explained that judges
responsible for various High Court registries and directors of different
functional directorates participated in live television programmes, responded
to questions from the public and provided information on judicial services
through television stations with nationwide coverage.
Hon. Husna noted further that
the Judiciary of Tanzania also coordinates its communication with other justice
sector institutions, including the Ministry responsible for Constitutional and Legal
Affairs, the National Prosecutions Service, Law Enforcement Agencies, the
Tanganyika Law Society, the National Bar Association and development partners.
Such coordination, she
explained, supported coherent public messaging while respecting the distinct
mandates of each institution.
She also cited the
Judiciary’s digital transformation initiatives, including electronic filing and
virtual court proceedings, as an example of how coordinated communication had
supported institutional reforms, increased public understanding and encouraged
adoption of new systems.
Effective judicial
communication contributed to public trust in the rule of law by enabling
citizens to understand court procedures, judicial decisions and institutional
reforms. Public confidence depended not only on the quality of judicial
decisions but also on the clarity, accessibility and credibility of
institutional communication.
Judicial communication has
become an essential component of modern judicial administration in Tanzania. By
combining transparency, professionalism, ethical restraint and strategic public
engagement, the Judiciary could strengthen public confidence while maintaining
its constitutional independence.
Judicial communication in
the Judiciary of Tanzania had undergone significant transformation over the
past decade, moving from a traditionally reserved approach towards a more
proactive strategy in response to increasing public demand for transparency, accountability
and accessibility.
Through the Judiciary’s
Five-Year Strategic Plan, particularly Pillar Three on Stakeholder Engagement,
communication had been recognised as a strategic function supporting the
delivery of justice.
It was intended to
educate the public, improve understanding of judicial processes, address
misinformation, communicate reforms and demonstrate accountability, while
complementing and not compromising judicial independence.
The main objectives of
judicial communication were to enhance public trust and confidence, improve
access to justice through legal awareness, promote transparency in judicial
administration, communicate reforms and innovations, facilitate stakeholder engagement
and protect the integrity and independence of the courts through accurate and
authoritative information.
Senior Resident Magistrate from the Institute of Judicial Administration (IJA) Lushoto, Hon. Husna Rweikiza, stressing a point during a panel discussion about Country Perspectives on Judicial Communication.
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