Established in September 2013, ESS Creative and Legal Foundation is Tanzania's first credible and reputable justice social enterprise. It is initially focused solely on mediation to supplement government efforts to promote and enhance dispute resolution among persons involved in disputes as provided under Article 107 (2) (d) of the United Republic Of Tanzania Constitution 1977 as amended from time to time. Also, it is internationally recognized for advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16, promoting peaceful and inclusive societies, providing access to justice for all, and building effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.

With over ten years of experience in resolving disputes through mediation of the persons with disabilities, Village Community Banks (VICOBA), SMEs, families and individuals, we found that most clients lack awareness of the benefits of mediation.

What sets us apart is our trusted partnership with the government justice system, which empowers community leaders as peacemakers to champion inclusivity and accessibility in mediation.

The founder and executive director is Erick Mukiza, a dedicated disability inclusion and accessibility advocate and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) professional committed to advancing inclusive justice and is a Certified Court Mediator accredited by the Tanzania Ministry of Constitutional and Legal Affairs. He is also a WIPO ADR Young professional and an Associate member of Tanzania International Arbitration Center.

He founded this organization after facing significant communication challenges during standard mediation sessions with Deaf and hard-of-hearing clients. Recognizing the urgent need for inclusivity, he pioneered the introduction of Inclusive Mediation.

In 2024, Erick was selected and completed the prestigious Professional Fellows Program on Inclusive Civic Engagement (PFP) in the United States of America. This program provided him with best practices in inclusive mediation, which he is implementing in Tanzania, demonstrating his ability to translate international learning into impactful local initiatives.

He has worked at the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) in Washington, DC, where he received mentorship in leadership and advocacy from Jasmine Bailey, Director of Operations at AAPD. There, he gained knowledge in assistive technology for inclusive communication, such as screen reading software and speech-text for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals.