More than two decades after Tanzania established its specialized land dispute settlement system, this article assesses whether District Land and Housing Tribunals have delivered accessible, independent, and timely justice. Drawing on legislative analysis, government reports, and published research, Godfrey Eliseus Massay examines legal reforms, the expansion of tribunal coverage, and trends in new and pending cases.
The study identifies persistent challenges arising from frequent legislative amendments, gaps in geographic coverage, shortages of personnel and facilities, and fragmented institutional oversight. As of May 2025, the article reports that 115 tribunals had been established across Tanzania’s 139 districts. Although overall case backlogs have declined in recent years, substantial workloads remain concentrated in a small number of tribunals.
The article calls for stronger coordination, targeted financial and human resources, and renewed attention to accessibility and legitimacy as Tanzania considers further reforms to its land dispute resolution system.