by Doreen Karungi
During the 2026 Annual Dialogue that brought together legal aid service providers in Rwanda, participants reflected on the critical role organizations play in helping citizens access justice, as well as the progress made over the past 20 years in strengthening access to justice initiatives.
The dialogue provided a platform for various legal aid forum to share experiences, review achievements, and discuss ways to strengthen collaboration in expanding justice services that are accessible to citizens.
The Executive Director of the Legal Aid Forum, Kananga Andrew, said that over the past six years the organization has implemented initiatives that have significantly contributed to helping citizens understand and access justice.
He noted that between 2020 and 2025, members of the Legal Aid Forum reached more than 10 million people across the country through various legal awareness and education programs.
He further explained that during the same period, LAF provided legal representation in 3,025 court cases, offered legal advice to 187,013 people, and supported 115 individuals in accessing DNA testing services, all aimed at helping citizens obtain justice.
Kananga Andrew added that despite the progress made, several challenges remain, including limited financial resources, low levels of legal awareness among citizens, and the gap between the growing demand for legal aid services and the capacity to provide them.
He emphasized the need for stronger collaboration among institutions to ensure that legal aid services reach more people, particularly the most vulnerable.
In his remarks during the dialogue, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Justice Rwanda reminded participants that justice should not remain only in written laws but must be translated into practical services that benefit citizens in their daily lives.
He stated: “Justice is not something that lives on paper; it is a mechanism that must be implemented every day.”
The dialogue also featured contributions from representatives of the Rwanda Bar Association, the University of Rwanda Centre for Legal Aid and Mediation, and Haguruka, who shared practical experiences on how different institutions contribute to expanding access to justice in Rwanda.
Participants highlighted that legal aid services continue to play a crucial role in helping citizens understand their rights and seek justice through the country’s legal system
