From a Correspondent,
Songea.
The Minister for Constitution and Legal Affairs, Dr. Juma Zuberi Homera, has urged members of Boards of Trustees in the country to comply with the law, accountability, and integrity in managing institutional assets, emphasizing that was essential for strengthening good governance and promoting sustainable development.
Speaking at the meeting of organized by the Registration, Insolvency and Trusteeship Agency (RITA), attracting members of Boards of Trustees from Ruvuma, Njombe, Mtwara, and Lindi Regions at the Holy Family Hall in Bombambili in Songea Municipality yesterday, Minister Homera said the boards of trustees have a critical role in managing and safeguarding institutional resources for the benefit of members and entire community.
He stressed that trusteeship is not merely an honorary position, but a serious responsibility that requires a high level of accountability.
“Every trustee must ensure that institutional assets are protected and used for their intended purposes, not for personal gain,” he said.
The Minister further noted that despite the existence of laws, regulations, and guidelines, some trustees’ boards continue to face challenges, including mismanagement of assets, leadership conflicts, and failure to comply with their constitutions.
He warned that the government will not hesitate to take firm legal action against those who violate principles of good governance.
To improve service delivery, Minister Homera directed RITA to accelerate improvements to its digital system, eRITA, to make it more user-friendly, and to introduce mobile outreach services (mobile clinics) to reach stakeholders in remote areas.
Earlier,Minister Homera commended RITA for issuing birth and death certificates within 48 hours through the eRITA system, noting that statistics show 94 percent of applications were processed within that timeframe. This achievement has been described as a major milestone in improving public service delivery and institutional efficiency.
On his part, the Chief Executive Officer of RITA, Mr. Frank Kanyusi said the meeting—held under the theme “Accountability of Trustees’ Boards in Safeguarding Institutional Assets and Community Development”—is part of the agency’s strategy to build the capacity of board members so they can effectively carry out their responsibilities in line with existing laws, regulations, and guidelines.
He emphasized that Boards of Trustees must operate in accordance with the Trustees’ Incorporation Act, Cap. 318, to ensure proper management of institutional assets and resources.
Mr. Kanyusi explained that as of April 2026, a total of 5,314 Boards of Trustees have been registered nationwide, with 321 boards from the regions of Ruvuma, Njombe, Mtwara, and Lindi.
However, he acknowledged several ongoing challenges, including limited understanding of legal requirements, weak asset management, and leadership conflicts.
“These challenges prompted us to introduce training programs for trustees across the country to ensure they perform their duties in accordance with the law and regulations,” he said.
He added that RITA continues to improve its Information and Communication Technology (ICT) systems and is undertaking legal reforms to strengthen oversight of trustees’ boards.
The meeting was expected to serve as a catalyst for strengthening the management of trustees’ boards in the country, while reinforcing the principles of accountability, transparency, and efficiency across both public and private institutions.
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