In the United Republic of Tanzania, the implementation of refugee rights legislation is managed through a multi-tiered institutional framework comprising central, sub-central, and local government entities that ensure policies are effectively executed across different levels of governance. At the central level, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA), through its Refugee Services Department, is the primary institution responsible for overseeing refugee affairs, implementing the Refugees Act of 1998 and the National Refugee Policy of 2003. MoHA works in collaboration with UNHCR and other humanitarian organizations to manage refugee protection, regulate refugee settlements, and oversee the security and administration of refugee-hosting areas. Within MoHA, the National Eligibility Committee (NEC) plays a key role in the Refugee Status Determination (RSD) process, assessing asylum applications and making recommendations to the Minister of Home Affairs, who holds the final decision-making authority on granting or denying refugee status. If an asylum application is rejected, the applicant can request a review, but no independent appeal mechanism exists beyond the Ministry’s internal review process.

At the sub-central level, Regional Administrative Secretaries (RAS) act as key intermediaries between the central government and local authorities in regions that host refugees, such as Kigoma Region, where the majority of refugees are settled in Nyarugusu, Nduta, and Mtendeli camps. These officials oversee regional coordination of refugee services, ensure alignment with national policies, and facilitate the work of international organizations, NGOs, and civil society actors providing humanitarian assistance. Regional authorities work closely with MoHA and UNHCR to ensure that refugee settlements adhere to national security policies while maintaining international protection standards.

At the local level, District and Local Government Authorities play a direct role in refugee management and service delivery, particularly in districts hosting refugee camps or long-term refugee settlements. District Commissioners, appointed by the President, oversee refugee-related activities within their jurisdictions, ensuring that local policies do not contradict national refugee laws. District Councils, composed of elected representatives, work alongside village and ward administrators to manage land use, infrastructure development, health services, and education within refugee-hosting communities. Local authorities are responsible for ensuring law and order within refugee camps, often coordinating with security forces and law enforcement agencies to address crime, enforce curfews, and handle disputes between refugees and host communities. Moreover, village elders and customary leaders play a role in conflict resolution and social integration efforts, particularly in areas where refugees live alongside local populations outside formal camp settings.