I am Herculan Muntasomo from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. For the past two years, I’ve been part of the construction of the courthouse in Kalemie, a city on the western shore of Lake Tanganyika. This is about much more than modernizing infrastructure. It’s about restoring confidence in the judicial system by providing a functional space for over 100 judges and judicial staff while ensuring justice is within reach for everyone.
The construction of this courthouse is part of the United Nations Joint Support Programme for Justice Reform 2020-2024—under which, this project was launched on April 7, 2022.
The courthouse is designed to give the four million residents of Tanganyika Province—60 percent of whom are women—better access to justice.
When I joined the project, the walls were just being raised. Now, with over 90 percent of the work complete, I remain deeply involved as we approach the finish line.
My role has centered on keeping the project on track—monitoring progress to ensure deadlines and standards are met, reconciling weekly progress reports with contractual agreements, and taking action to resolve delays.
I’ve also worked behind the scenes to manage critical administrative processes, like ensuring timely payment of contractor invoices and securing duty exemptions for imported materials. With Kalemie relying heavily on neighbouring countries like Tanzania and Burundi for supplies, these exemptions were key to overcoming delays and cost fluctuations.
My work has also meant interacting with a variety of stakeholders, from guiding the President of the Republic during his visit to the site in November 2024 to engaging with local residents during open house events. One resident shared how the deteriorating state of current facilities made them lose faith in the system. That story stuck with me because it showed just how much this project is needed.
Challenges have been part of the journey. The high cost of materials and long import times often tested our timelines. But through close collaboration between the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the government, and contractors, we found solutions, including securing tax exemptions that kept the project moving forward. These experiences have taught me how to adapt, work across disciplines, and find solutions as part of a team.
As my supervisor, Jean Bosco Habibu, Project Coordinator at UNDP, described, “Herculan is more than an economist—his dedication and versatility have made him indispensable. His ability to balance programmatic and operational needs ensures success in every task he takes on.” This feedback inspires me to keep striving for excellence in my work.
With a modest building budget, this project has achieved results that rival larger initiatives.
The courthouse is more than a building—it’s a symbol of progress for Tanganyika. For me, it’s a reminder of what can be achieved when purpose and action come together.
The building being finished for the new Kalemie Courthouse. @Ministry of Justice, November 2024.