Niassa Province, Mozambique – A delegation from the Office of Justice is carrying out a week-long mission across Lichinga town and the districts of Sanga and Lago, aimed at promoting public awareness of the Ombudsman’s role and strengthening oversight of justice administration and public institutions.
The program began in Lichinga with a workshop on “Right to Information, Freedom of Expression, and Quality Public Service,” with a focus on eliminating gender barriers and ensuring equitable access to information. The workshop, opened by Assessor Felismina Muhacha, drew around 180 participants, including officials, students, civil society members, and journalists.
Presentations addressed critical themes such as censorship on social networks, the role of information in transparency and resource management, freedom of expression versus hate speech, and the Ombudsman’s mandate in defending citizens’ rights to information. Contributions were made by experts including Mario Bonifácio of the National Syndicate of Journalists, Julio Pedro from UniRovuma, and Judite Zimba, Assessor of the Ombudsman’s Office.
On subsequent days, the delegation conducted inspection visits to public institutions, beginning with the EDM Delegation in Lichinga, followed by the Provincial Court, Prosecutor’s Office, Penitentiary Establishment, Provincial Command, and Provincial Hospital. The visits featured interactive discussions with staff, the distribution of awareness materials, and an assessment of service delivery conditions.
At both the Penitentiary Establishment and the Provincial Hospital, the Justice team praised the high levels of hygiene and cleanliness, while noting ongoing operational challenges.
The mission reflects the Office of Justice’s commitment to bringing services closer to citizens, strengthening institutional cooperation, and ensuring that fundamental rights and transparency remain at the core of public administration.
