Tanzania saves Sh232.7 billion in legal wins

Dar es Salaam. The government has saved Sh232.65 billion after winning 831 civil and arbitration cases both domestic and international filed between July 2024 and April this year, parliament was told yesterday.

The revelation was made by the minister for Constitution and Legal Affairs, Dr Damas Ndumbaro, when tabling the Sh687.7 billion budget estimate for the 2025/26 financial year.

The tabled budget reflects a 41.4 percent increase from the Sh486.3 billion approved for the 2024/25 fiscal year.

Dr Ndumbaro said the Office of the Solicitor General won 814 civil cases locally and one international out of 966 concluded, saving the government Sh51.02 billion.

Furthermore, he said the Office concluded 21 arbitration cases, winning 16—equivalent to 76.2 percent.

These were part of 209 cases handled, comprising 180 national and 29 international arbitration matters. The courts and tribunals involved include the Court of Appeal, High Court of Tanzania, district courts, and domestic and international arbitration tribunals, such as the National Construction Council (NCC), Tanzania Institute of Arbitrators (TIArb), and ad hoc tribunals. Others are the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), the International Criminal Court (ICC), the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA), and the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA). 

“The resolution of these arbitration cases saved the government Sh16.94 billion and $63.34 million (about Sh164.69 billion), which would have been paid in the event of losses,” Dr Ndumbaro told the National Assembly.

When computed, the amount totals Sh232.7 billion in civil and arbitration cases. Furthermore, Dr Ndumbaro said that of the Sh687.7 billion budget, Sh525.46 billion has been allocated for recurrent expenditure, including Sh136 billion for salaries and Sh389.46 billion for other charges. The remaining Sh162.24 billion will go towards development projects, with Sh79.67 billion sourced domestically and Sh82.57 billion from foreign sources.

According to the minister, 82 percent of the proposed budget will be channelled to three key institutions: the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), the Judiciary, and the Registration, Insolvency and Trusteeship Agency (Rita).

The DPP’s budget will rise by 66.8 percent—from Sh87.53 billion to Sh145.97 billion, while that of the Judiciary will see a 32.9 percent increase, from Sh241.60 billion to Sh321.06 billion.

Rita’s allocation more than doubled from Sh43.34 billion to Sh97.73 billion, a 125.5 percent jump.

In 2025/26, the DPP’s Office will continue prosecuting criminal cases, inspecting detention and prison facilities, confiscating assets acquired through crime, and overseeing the construction of regional and district prosecution offices.

The Judiciary, meanwhile, will expedite the resolution of cases and clear long-standing backlogs.

“It will also implement oversight measures, modernise ICT systems, and continue the construction and renovation of court buildings. Judicial and legal training for staff and stakeholders will also be enhanced,” said Dr Ndumbaro.

Presenting his committee’s recommendations, the Parliamentary Committee on Governance, Constitution and Legal Affairs Chairperson, Dr Joseph Mhagama, urged the government to set realistic domestic revenue targets and scale up public education on human rights.

“Low registration of customary marriages and divorces, due to limited awareness and participation, undermines Rita’s goal of maintaining accurate records,” said Dr Mhagama.

He also raised concerns over the lack of interoperability between the Commission for Human Rights and Good Governance (CHRAGG) and other justice bodies, warning that this could hinder coordination and monitoring.

“The absence of a transparent national mechanism for reporting rights violations could create the impression that CHRAGG is falling short of its mandate,” he noted.

However, he commended the Mama Samia Legal Aid Campaign for strengthening justice delivery, improving welfare, and fostering community cohesion.