About Us
Established in September 2013, ESS Creative and Legal Foundation is an Accredited Mediation Institution under the Ministry of Constitutional and Legal Affairs, registration number NO.COA.MED.623, under Regulation 15(1) of the Reconciliation, Negotiation, Mediation and Arbitration (Practitioner’s Accreditation and Regulation) Regulations, 2021. The Foundation was created to support government efforts in strengthening dispute resolution under Article 107A(2)(d) of the Constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania, 1977 (as amended), with a focus on accessible mediation that includes persons with disabilities as active participants in justice processes. It is also internationally recognized for advancing United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 16 on peaceful, inclusive societies and access to justice for all.
With over ten years of experience, we have resolved disputes involving persons with disabilities, Village Community Banks (VICOBA), SMEs, families, and individuals. This experience revealed a persistent gap in awareness and access to mediation services, particularly for underserved groups, including persons with disabilities.
What distinguishes our work is a trusted partnership with the justice system, enabling us to engage community leaders as peacemakers who promote inclusive and accessible mediation practices at the community level.
The Founder and Executive Director, Erick Mukiza, is an ADR Program Specialist, Accredited Mediator, and disability inclusion expert. He is a WIPO Young ADR practitioner and a member of the Association of Young Arbitrators (AYA). He brings over a decade of experience in advancing inclusive justice by equipping community leaders and persons with disabilities to participate meaningfully in accessible mediation processes.
In 2024, he was selected for and completed the Professional Fellows Program on Inclusive Civic Engagement (PFP-USA) in the United States. During his fellowship at the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) in Washington, DC, he gained practical experience in assistive technologies for inclusive communication, including screen-reading software and speech-to-text tools for deaf and hard-of-hearing users. He also learned inclusive Alternative Dispute Resolution practices, which he now applies in Tanzania to strengthen accessible, community-based mediation systems.
Mediation services are accessible and inclusive for underserved communities, including persons with disabilities.
A justice social enterprise enabling accessible and disability-inclusive mediation services for underserved communities.
Inclusivity
Fairness
Integrity
Confidentiality
Transparency
Impartiality
Objectivity
Neutrality
Inclusive mediation and community-based dispute resolution that ensures participation of persons with disabilities
Board of Directors
Governing Board
Dr. Elly Ndyetabura
Strategic Setting and Oversight
Dr. Elly Ndyetabura is the Board Chairman of ESS Creative and Legal Foundation, providing strategic direction and oversight. He is a retired Assistant Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Tanzania and formerly served as Vice Chair of the Tanzania Development Partners Group.
He brings over 30 years of experience in international development, having worked with organizations within and outside Tanzania. He also served as an elected Ward Councillor (Diwani) for Kata Ibuga in Muleba District Council.
Aneth Gerana Isaya
Gender and Disability Inclusion
Aneth Gerana Isaya is a Deaf Tanzanian feminist and founder of FUWAVITA, an initiative supporting women and girls with disabilities through entrepreneurship and leadership. She is a disability rights advocate with experience in national and international platforms, including leadership as Secretary-General of the African Deaf Forum. Since 2010, she has supported Deaf women in Tanzania in accessing leadership and economic opportunities.
In 2024, she joined the Board of Directors of ESS Creative and Legal Foundation, contributing expertise in gender and disability inclusion to strengthen accessible and inclusive mediation systems.
Moraa Shoo
Financial Management & Tax Issues
Moraa Shoo is a Tax Adviser with over 17 years of experience in taxation and a former Senior Tax Officer at the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA). She provides guidance to ESS on financial management and tax compliance, supporting strong financial governance and accountability.
Founding Board
Erick Mukiza
Founder & Executive Director
Erick Mukiza is the Founder and Executive Director of ESS Creative and Legal Foundation and an ADR Expert focused on disability inclusion and mediation. He is a Permanent Certified Court Mediator accredited by the Tanzania Ministry of Constitutional and Legal Affairs and has extensive experience in inclusive mediation practice.
He is a fellow of a U.S. Government–funded Professional Fellowship program on inclusive civic engagement, where he strengthened his expertise in accessible mediation and global best practices. He is also accredited by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) as a mediator, contributing to international standards in dispute resolution.
Geoffrey Bomboko
Co-Founder & Deputy Director
Geoffrey Bomboko is the Co-Founder and Deputy Director of ESS Creative and Legal Foundation. As Director of Programs, he oversees mediation and legal support services, ensuring effective and accessible delivery across all programmes, including inclusive mediation processes that enable participation of persons with disabilities.
He works closely with delivery teams to maintain quality, responsiveness, and community relevance, and serves as a key link between beneficiaries and programme implementation, ensuring services reflect community needs and promote inclusive dispute resolution..
Francis Mawerere
Co-Founder and M&E Lead
Francis Mawerere is the Co-Founder and Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Lead at ESS Creative and Legal Foundation. He leads the design and implementation of M&E systems that track programme performance, including outcomes on inclusive mediation and participation of persons with disabilities.
He previously worked with Justice Defenders (formerly African Prisons Project). He also supports capacity building for the team and contributes to resource mobilisation for M&E systems and related programme needs, strengthening evidence-based and accountable service delivery.