A Research Report on the Nature and Variety of Legal and Socio‐economic Development Challenges Facing Societies in their Localities in Tanzania and a Proposed Way Forward – A Case Study of Karagwe & Kyerwa Districts

This research is motivated by poor legal and socioeconomic conditions facing society members in Kagera region, particularly in Karagwe and Kyerwa districts. The worsening conditions are partly caused by inadequate effectiveness of existing mechanisms in terms of coordination, collaboration and/or involvement meant to attract effective participation of targeted society members in transforming available national policies, strategies, laws, regulations, plans, and programmes into real and localised developmental outcomes.

Research findings based on analysis of completed questionnaires by respondents reveal unsatisfactory legal and socioeconomic conditions among society members in the areas of employment (lack of entrepreneurship skills and knowledge), low productivity and profitability in agricultural / livestock keeping activities, land disputes and misuses, poor governance and ignorance about governance and public accountability, water resources mismanagement and environmental degradation activities, inadequate socioeconomic infrastructure for such services as main and access roads, education, healthcare, electricity, etc; matrimonial disputes in marriage relationships and mistreatment or
harassment of special groups members – the disabled, the elderly, women, girls, albinos, orphans, HIV/AIDS victims, children, etc.

The above socioeconomic challenges per questionnaires are complemented with a critical review of relevant national policies, legislations (Acts/laws), development strategies, plans and programmes to establish whether there is a broken link from the intentions of Government policies/legislations down to the knowledge or awareness among intended public masses. The review makes us become knowledgeable that there is a wide gap between the Government efforts in terms of putting in place relevant legal and regulatory environment (e.g. policies and legislations) and knowledge or awareness about rights and obligations/responsibilities on the part of the targeted beneficiaries
(i.e. the society members at large, that is the public) for transforming the policies/legislations into real and localized socio-economic development outcomes.

It is based on the preceding that this study calls for adequate involvement of society members to actively participate / contribute in designing and implementing socioeconomic development projects aimed at addressing the beneficiaries’ problems. This is likely to have high chances of long-lasting (i.e. sustainable) development impacts. To begin with, rigorous sensitization (public education) programmes should be
instituted to prepare the society members about their roles and responsibilities as stipulated in national policies, legislations, development strategies, plans and programmes if the envisaged socioeconomic developments are to come by.

Research team & contacts:
> Mwl.Charles Domician (LASWOT, +255756756830/+255784334960);
> Mwl.Donacian Lufurano, Cylidion Protace Kabilinshobera and Laurian Fulgence (KARAGWECAFE,
+255754967008, +255769473182, +255766855756, respectively),
Emails: docharlz18@gmail.com, laswot@gmail.com, KaragweCafe@gmail.com