Six barristers vie for the bar’s top job

TANZANIA: SIX advocates are facing off in a campaign to lead the Tanganyika Law Society (TLS), a professional association of lawyers in Mainland Tanzania, established under the TLS Act of 1954.

The candidates are actively rushed out to one another, on how best each one’s ideology and policy is placed to transform the bar association, whose roles and responsibilities have been outlined in the Constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania.

Advocate Sweetbert Nkuba, Paul Kaunda, Revocatus Kuuli, Emmanuel Muga, Ibrahim Bendera and Boniface Mwabukusi have seriously intensified their campaign to win a year-long lead ticket in an election planned for early August this year.

TLS’s duties include upholding professional ethics, providing training and skill development, representing lawyers, promoting and advancing human rights, offering community legal services and maintaining the integrity of the legal profession.

TLS benefits Tanzania by improving the legal system in collaboration with legal institutions and the government, promoting human rights and providing legal aid to those in need. It also enhances the legal profession by representing lawyers and their interests.

At the center of the campaign to lead the society, the candidates met over the weekend for a live televised debate, with each signaling the importance of the crucial institution to help strengthen the legal and justice systems in the country.

A statement released by TLS said the election will be held as part of this year’s annual event, scheduled to be held from August 1 to 3.

President Samia Suluhu Hassan is anticipated to preside over the event.

Here are the policies for each candidate running for office. Who will lead TLS?

Advocate Sweetbert Nkuba Advocate

Sweetbert Nkuba believes that strengthening the legal and technological infrastructure within TLS will provide better services to its members and the community by increasing investment in digital systems to facilitate access to legal information and services.

He also promises to focus on training and expertise to ensure that lawyers have modern skills and can compete internationally.

Nkuba’s policy emphasizes advocacy to ensure TLS has a strong voice in national and international legal and justice issues.

“This will include developing advocacy strategies with the government and parliament to improve the legal system in the country, providing legal aid to the community, especially vulnerable groups,” he says.

He also pledges accountability by ensuring transparency in all TLS activities, building trust among members and stakeholders, improving internal and external audit systems and regularly updating members on TLS activities and finances.

“I am committed to building strong relationships with various stakeholders, including the government, nongovernmental organizations and international institutions.

This will include establishing and maintaining collaborations with international legal organizations for the benefit of TLS members and partnering with universities and higher education institutions to provide legal education and practical training,” he says.

Additionally, he plans to enhance leadership and member participation by ensuring TLS members are actively involved in the society’s decision-making and leadership.

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Advocate Paul Kaunda

Advocate Paul Kaunda aims to protect and defend young lawyers by increasing their value and respect.

He proposes introducing a Lawyer APP to help lawyers easily find clients and receive appropriate payments per the lawyer’s fee regulations, akin to Uber.

He plans to advise and collaborate with the Attorney General to draft regulations that protect and honor lawyers when performing their duties in court, police and other institutions.

“I want to increase the value and respect for senior lawyers and trainers who have significantly contributed to the growth of law in various areas.

As it is a broad issue, I will work with the Attorney General to establish a Senior Lawyer title, awarded after a review by a special committee detailing their contributions to the profession and they will enjoy various benefits different from regular lawyers,” he says.

Kaunda also intends to advise and involve the Chief Justice of Tanzania to establish a High Court of Tanzania Technology Registry to prepare the judiciary to handle emerging technology issues, including AI.

“I will recommend that law schools and faculties update their curricula to align with the Fourth Industrial Revolution so that graduates are competitive in the market.

I will also enhance various legal awards to increase the value and respect for lawyers,” he says.

He promises to oversee the new constitution process with high professionalism, advising the government to proceed to secure a better constitution for citizens promptly.

Advocate Ibrahim Bendera

Advocate Ibrahim Bendera, on his part is determined to connect young lawyers with long-serving ones to help build their professional skills and client base.

“There are issues within our society where someone asks which political party it belongs to.No lawyer is not a politician; we only look at professional criteria. If elected, I will not bring up political issues; we will follow Martin Luther’s principle,” he says.

“Another thing, for TLS to be effective and visible to the public, a politician must discuss it.

It appears that the President’s position lacks the authority to be the primary spokesperson on human rights.

TLS should be at the forefront of defending human rights.”

He says, if elected, he will focus on online voting for TLS and conducting meetings electronically

Advocate Revocatus Kuuli 

Advocate Revocatus Kuuli, says that if elected, he will focus on the rule of law, including the separation of powers, freedom of expression to assist the country without threats and ensuring democracy through free and fair elections.

“The society works based on activists’ opinions. To be trusted, the society must be independent with strong leadership, maintaining its stance as TLS,” he says.

He asks for election support as he is mature and steadfast in leading and will uphold the society’s stability. “If elected, I will ensure our duty to the public remains the same. There is a need to expand our legal aid services.

Also, for members, I want to protect the dignity of lawyers as they are not regarded as significant for this country,” he says.

Kuuli also promises to advise the government to involve TLS appropriately in the legislative process and improve good governance.

“I will maintain the same stance that flawed laws should be amended and those that deny citizens their rights should be corrected. Let me say clearly, if elected, my position on the Constitution will be to view it with a unique perspective,” he says.

Advocate Emmanuel Muga 

Advocate Emmanuel Muga says if elected, he will create a strategic plan relevant to the current times. “We will establish a  financial system that controls TLS revenue and uses it for TLS work.

Also, newly graduated lawyers will be mentored by experienced lawyers. I will oversee lawyers’ training and ethics,” he says.

He plans to strengthen governance by forming capable committees to ensure TLS operates according to legal procedures and not chaotically.

“I will oversee TLS’s duty to its members, the government and the public. I will not be a TLS President who shouts because I have no sole authority to make statements that are not from the TLS leadership committee,” he says.

Advocate Boniface Mwabukusi

Advocate Boniface Mwabukusi says he will restore the legal profession to its foundations since TLS is an old institution.

“I am a lion who will lead a pride of lions and Tanzanians will start to see the presence of this society because TLS has responsibilities to the public, the government, members, the rule of law and the separation of powers within the state,” he says.

He believes TLS is a key link to the country’s economic, political and democratic prosperity.

“I want to bring unity to the legal profession, which is currently divided. When we have a responsible TLS, countries are invaded economically.

It is TLS’s duty to lead Tanzanians to know the legal truth about international contracts and policies we enter into,” he says.

Mwabukusi highlights that if given the chance, he will change the perception that TLS is a platform for seeking opportunities.

“We will not allow lawyers to be oppressed in this nation.

The regulations governing lawyers’ payments are discouraging. Without protection in our profession, no one is safe,” he says.