Mahakama (Swahili/Arabic for "Court") is an AI-powered legal empowerment platform built to demystify the law in South Sudan and Uganda. We deliver instant, plain-language answers to real-life legal questions, empowering citizens to understand their rights before they ever need a lawyer.
Legal knowledge is a right, not a privilege. In South Sudan and Uganda, accessing legal information is often expensive and confusing. Mahakama bridges this gap by providing free, easy-to-understand legal information in everyday language, helping users resolve questions independently or connect with vetted professionals when representation is necessary.
- 🔍 Everyday Language Search: Ask real-life questions and receive answers mapped directly to specific legal statutes.
- 📚 Verified Legal Database: Direct access to up-to-date, versioned legal texts, including the National Constitution, Criminal Code, and Landlord/Tenant Acts.
- ⚖️ Professional Connection: Connect with vetted legal professionals for complex representation.
-
Ask Your Question - Describe your legal situation in everyday language:
- "My landlord changed the locks without notice"
- "My employee quit without giving notice"
- "My neighbor is building on my property"
- "I was unfairly dismissed from work"
-
Get Clear, Verifiable Answers - Our AI:
- References the exact laws, sections, and subsections
- Provides both simplified explanations and direct quotes from the legal text
- Shows the official version and effective date of each law referenced
- Links to the full legal document for verification
-
Take Action - Get guidance on:
- How to resolve the issue yourself
- What documents you might need
- When to consider professional legal help
-
Connect with a Lawyer - Only if your situation requires:
- Court representation
- Complex legal documents
- Specialized legal advice
This repository is a monorepo containing the following components:
| Directory | Description |
|---|---|
/frontend |
The React-based web interface for users. |
/api |
The Express.js backend and AI-driven legal analysis engine. |
We welcome contributions to make legal knowledge more accessible across East Africa. Whether you are a developer, legal expert, or community advocate, please check the Contributing Guide to get started.