Category: The Citizen

Nancy Josephat Mwakalinga is 22 years old; she is younger than the first Harry Potter film in the franchise was when it was released.

She was an infant when Facebook was launched.

Nancy is from a generation that has been stereotyped as politically progressive, addicted to TikTok, impatient and somewhat socially anxious, but Nancy said they are more than meets the eye.

She enrolled to become a tour guide at the College of African Wildlife Management in Mweka, Kilimanjaro Region.

Tanzania is ushering in a new generation of professionals in its ever-growing tourism industry.

The country is about to co-host one of footballs biggest tournaments, Afcon.

And these young men and women will be vital in the tourism, service and hospitality industry.

A defining moment for any host country.

Nancy grew up in Kimara, Dar es Salaam. She says that, contrary to the misconception, that her generation played outside.

She remembers riding her bicycle with her friends and playing hide-and-seek just like the generation before her.

Nancy refutes the notion that Gen Zers are indoors, always dancing on TikTok or chasing online trends.

“Gen Z is a very complicated generation, but its a very bright generation because we dont just take things as they are; we search for facts and proof. We are a curious generation,” she laughed.

Across the globe, this is a generation that has relied on digital platforms to advance change in todays world.

From political mobilisation to challenging the status quo, they have distinctively shaped the world in all spheres.

Can they do the same in tourism?

“You know, Afcon will be coming to Arusha and we have several tourist attractions and resources. We do have national parks, waterfalls and a vibrant culture,” Nancy adds.

As an avid football fan, Nancy is excited about the upcoming tournament.

She has been preparing for a potential role to welcome tourists in Arusha.

Taking visitors to different places in the northern circuit.

“AFCON matches dont take the whole day, from morning to evening, so during their leisure time, we will be leading tourists to different spots and showing them around Arusha and Moshi,” Nancy says.

She points out different locations, like Lake Duluti, Meru Camp, Napuru waterfalls near the foothills of Mount Meru and other must-see places around Arusha.

Arusha has growing biking, hiking and ziplining activities; its cool weather is conducive to outdoor activities and that will prove crucial in 2027 as tourists and football fans start pouring in.

“Archery and shooting games are popular here and people also love campsites at Meru Camps,” she points out.

Nancy understands the role they will be playing in tourism even beyond the Afcon tournament.

She acknowledges that tourism is one of the leading foreign exchange earners for Tanzania and they are in the realm of the service industry.

Nancy has had an interest in being a ranger, a physically demanding job, so she has been taking some paramilitary training: fieldcraft, survival, navigation, tracking and anti-poaching operations.

All these require extensive fitness training and her young age has helped her keep up with the adrenaline-fuelled workouts.

Their training has taken them to all leading national parks like Ngorongoro, Serengeti, Tarangire and Manyara, sometimes with no GPS assistance, to learn how to guide tourists in the absence of technology.

Guiding them and keeping them safe throughout the day.

Here is where Nancys tracking training is really sharpened.

In a few years, she will be in charge of a whole team of tour guides in the wilderness and it will be upon her to make sure tourists enjoy their safari in Tanzanias national parks, keep wild animals at bay, but close enough for tourists to see them and savour their safari experience.

Nancy chose to work in tourism because she loves learning about people and cultures and tourism provides both.

She knows in tourism most visitors that she will interact with will be older than her, but she said.

They dont use that term “older”. Nancy has been trained to treat all tourists as guests and show the utmost respect.

She has gone through training on how to remain calm, cool and collected under pressure, a skill she will need under the hot sun with flying insects buzzing around as their safari vehicle rumbles across the rugged terrain.

When tourists become frustrated or irritable.

She has been trained on how she can handle that scenario and more.

Nancy feels ready to start working in this industry that she has always dreamed of.

“Gen Zs can be very professional and I am the proof of that, so are my peers.”

Nancy is from a generation that has been affected by unemployment, not only in Tanzania, but across the world.

But she insists that, unlike other sectors, tourism has flourished over the years and there are so many opportunities for young people, but most people are not privy to that information.

She is hoping this interview will attract her age-mates, who have only had their eyes on being teachers, lawyers, doctors and other jobs, to contemplate studying tourism.

“There are hundreds of tour companies in Tanzania and most of them are hiring,” she says.

Aside from the tour companies, Tanzania Wildlife Management Authority and National Park authorities will naturally be seeking younger and new recruits, who will have to take on the physical work as the current staff gets older and moves to more administrative roles.

“I just hope my age-mates catch on quickly,” she adds.

She is also thinking of opening up her own tour company down the line.

“If Im wealthy and capable,” she quips, adding that the future of Gen Z in tourism is “very bright”.

This is a generation connected through social media and most of them are digital natives; content creation and social media marketing come naturally to them and she is using that as an advantage to establish herself and connect with potential tourists from across the world.

She has been posting all her visits to the national parks, waterfalls and the wild animals she encounters, building her online profile and positioning herself as a tourism expert.

And indeed, some foreigners have reached out to her asking about Tanzania and she has been more than happy to give them in detail what to expect when they come to visit Tanzania.

“I give them my email; when we connect on social media, they get motivated to come and experience Tanzania when they see the pictures I post,” Nancy says.

She has helped others with hotel reservations, booking flights and getting to the national parks.

Nancy hopes the government will open up more opportunities for Gen Z, but, most importantly, it has to believe in this young generation, which is tech-savvy and full of potential to make a significant contribution to the improvement of the tourism sector.

“Gen Z is just a generation. But look at me as a professional, how professional I am. And judge me based on my work, not my age,” she says.

For years, frontline health workers across Africa have been trained to spot disease outbreaks and respond to infectious threats. Now, they are being equipped with another task, identifying the warning signs of chronic diseases before they become harder and more expensive to manage.

That shift is at the centre of a regional training programme that has brought together 37 health professionals from nine African countries in Dar es Salaam to strengthen the capacity of mentors supporting frontline epidemiologists.

The participants have completed the second phase of a regional Training of Trainers (ToT) programme under the World Bank-funded Health Emergency Preparedness, Response and Resilience Programme (HEPRR-MPA) which covers 11 countries across Eastern and Southern Africa under the World Bank’s Multiphase Programmatic Approach (MPA): Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, São Tomé and Príncipe, Zambia.

The Training programme is implemented by the East, Central and Southern Africa Health Community (ECSA-HC) in collaboration with the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).

Unlike approaches that treat non-communicable diseases as a separate health programme, the training integrates NCD surveillance into the existing Frontline Field Epidemiology Training Programme (FETP-Frontline).

This means health workers who are already working in communities can add conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular diseases to the health problems they routinely monitor and report.

HEPRR-MPA Project Coordinator Dr Mohamed Mohamed said the change reflects the reality facing health systems across the continent, where several health problems are now occurring at the same time.

‘Health systems are dealing with infectious disease outbreaks, non-communicable diseases and injuries from road traffic accidents at the same time. This is increasing pressure on health facilities,’ he said.

For Dr Mohamed, the answer is not to create another layer of health programmes, but to make better use of the workers and systems already in place.

‘We can no longer focus on infectious diseases alone. We need professionals who can investigate and analyse NCD trends so that action can be taken early,’ he said.

The new approach borrows from a method that health workers have traditionally used to investigate infectious disease outbreaks.

The same skills collecting information, analysing data, identifying unusual patterns and investigating possible causes can also be applied to chronic diseases.

For example, a sudden increase in hypertension cases in a particular community could prompt health officials to look more closely at possible risk factors and determine whether preventive action is needed.

Dr Mohamed said participants were introduced to environmental health risks, including exposure to toxic substances such as mercury in small-scale mining communities.

Such exposure, he said, can potentially affect communities through contaminated environments and the food chain, making surveillance important in identifying health risks early.

Tanzanian epidemiologist Loveness Urio said one of the strengths of the programme was that it avoids creating a parallel surveillance structure for NCDs.

Instead, NCD monitoring, investigation, data analysis and response are being incorporated into the existing FETP-Frontline system.

‘The training enables health professionals to identify changes in disease trends early, identify risk factors and use reliable information to guide public health decisions,’ Ms Urio said.

She said this would also help health workers recognise unusual clusters of cases and investigate what might be driving them.

The urgency is not only about the number of people falling sick. There is also an economic cost when chronic illness is detected late.

According to Ms Urio, NCDs can result in premature deaths, disability, reduced productivity and increased treatment costs for households and governments.

A worker who develops complications from an untreated chronic condition may spend more time away from work, while families can face additional costs caring for a sick relative.

Early detection, she said, can help reduce some of those costs by allowing health workers and patients to act before complications become severe.

‘Training will not eliminate the economic burden caused by NCDs, but it can contribute to reducing it through early detection, timely response and better use of available resources,’ she said.

The 37 participants will also play a role beyond the training room. As mentors, they are expected to provide technical coaching, supervise field work and support other health workers as the revised NCD-integrated curriculum is put into practice.

The wider goal is to bring NCD surveillance closer to where people live and seek care.

For health systems already dealing with outbreaks, chronic diseases and injuries at the same time, the thinking is simple, the earlier a problem is seen, the greater the chance of doing something about it before it becomes a crisis

President Samia Suluhu Hassan is expected to officially inaugurate the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project (JNHPP), with an installed capacity of 2,115 megawatts, on August 22, 2026, at the project site in Rufiji, Coast Region.

Speaking to journalists in Dar es Salaam on Saturday, August 15, 2026, Energy Minister Deogratius Ndejembi said the inauguration would be attended by government leaders, domestic and international guests, members of the public and development stakeholders.

He said the event would mark a historic milestone in Tanzania’s efforts to establish a reliable energy system while supporting production, investment and economic growth.

‘JNHPP is the largest electricity generation project ever implemented in the country using funds from the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania, with an investment of about Sh7.452 trillion. The completion of this project demonstrates the Government’s commitment to ensuring Tanzania has sufficient and reliable electricity to support national development and economic growth,’ Mr Ndejembi said.

He said the country’s total installed electricity generation capacity had reached about 4,646MW, with JNHPP alone contributing 2,115MW, significantly increasing Tanzania’s ability to meet electricity demand and strengthen energy security.

‘Since it began generating electricity, JNHPP has continued to increase the amount of power supplied to the national grid, helping to address generation shortages that previously contributed to power rationing. By May 31, 2026, the plant had generated about 44.9 per cent of the total electricity produced and fed into the national grid over the preceding year,’ he said.

Dar es Salaam. Kenyan runners dominated the seventh edition of the CRDB Bank International Marathon yesterday, claiming most top positions in the 42km and half-marathon races as Tanzania showcased its growing capacity to stage major sporting events ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

About 17,000 participants competed in the 42km, half-marathon and 10km races at the Posta Grounds in Kijitonyama, with Kenyan and Tanzanian athletes providing the strongest competition.

Abraham Kiptum won the men’s 42km race in 2:15:33, ahead of compatriot James Mwangi (2:16:11), while Tanzania’s Marco Sylvester was third in 2:16:33.

Kenya also swept the women’s 42km podium, with Joyce Kemuma winning in 2:35:26, followed by Jacinta Chepkoech and Jane Chelagant.

The 42km winners received Sh12 million each, runners-up Sh5 million and third-placed finishers Sh2 million.

Kenya’s Simon Kelenzyoki won the men’s half marathon in 1:15:33, with Tanzania’s Ebei Francis second and Boay Dawi third.

Rebecca Chepkwemoi claimed the women’s half marathon in 1:12:42, ahead of Tanzania’s Failuna Matanga and Kenya’s Irine Mkungu.

Half-marathon winners received Sh6 million, runners-up Sh2 million and third-placed finishers Sh1 million.

Tanzanian runners dominated the 10km races, sweeping both podiums. Jumanne Ngoya won the men’s race in 29:53, followed by Benard Geay and Shedrack Hasani.

Transfora Mussa won the women’s race in 34:00, ahead of Anna Dolomongo and Agnes Mwanghui.

CRDB Bank Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Dr Abdulmajid Nsekela said the marathon was becoming an important platform for developing competitive athletics.

‘The marathon has continued to grow in both participation and competitiveness, giving athletes an opportunity to test themselves against some of the best runners in the region,’ said Dr Nsekela.

Speaking on behalf of Prime Minister Dr Mwigulu Lameck Nchemba, Second Vice President of the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar Hemed Suleiman Abdulla said the event demonstrated Tanzania’s ability to host major sporting competitions.

‘The level of competition we have witnessed shows that Tanzania can host major sporting events that attract athletes from across the region and create opportunities for our local runners to compete at a higher level,’ said Abdulla.

Tanzania will co-host AFCON 2027 with Kenya and Uganda, placing greater demands on the country’s sporting infrastructure and event-management capacity.

The Government has allocated Sh519.6 billion to the Ministry of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports for the 2026/27 financial year, with sports infrastructure and AFCON preparations among its priorities.

The CRDB Marathon thus offers another platform for Tanzania to strengthen its sporting profile while giving local athletes valuable exposure against regional competitors.

Tanzania has denied allegations that it sent its citizens to Zambia as mercenaries to interfere in the country’s 2026 General Election, saying it has initiated diplomatic efforts to establish the facts behind the claims.

The allegations were made by National Restoration Party for Unity and Progress (NRPUP) presidential candidate Brian Mundubile, who claimed that Tanzanians had been sent to Zambia to influence the electoral process.

In a video circulating on social media, Mr Mundubile alleged that there was a plan to use what he described as ‘Tanzanian tactics’ to influence the election outcome.

‘Zambia is not Tanzania. Those who think they can bring here tactics that work in Tanzania will never succeed,’ he said.

He also called on Tanzanians allegedly involved in election-related activities in Zambia to leave the country and return home.

Tanzania responds

Government Chief Spokesperson Gerson Msigwa said Tanzania was concerned by the allegations and had instructed its ambassador in Zambia to seek clarification through official diplomatic channels.

‘Tanzania has not sent anyone to Zambia to interfere in its elections, and that is not our practice,’ Mr Msigwa said.

He said Tanzanians involved in observing the election could be part of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) election observer mission, which comprises members from different SADC countries and operates at the invitation of the host country.

The allegations have also drawn reactions in Tanzania. Chadema Mainland Deputy Chairman John Heche said the claims should be taken seriously, citing Tanzania’s historical role in supporting African liberation movements and democracy.

‘Today Tanzania is being accused of sending mercenaries to disrupt elections in other countries. What a shame,’ Mr Heche wrote on X.

The controversy comes as Zambia prepares for a competitive election, with President Hichilema seeking re-election amid a strong opposition challenge.

The husband is in Mbezi Beach, Dar es Salaam. The wife is also in Mbezi Beach. The twist? They reportedly each have their own home.

That detail has sparked conversations around Bongo Flava stars Diamond Platnumz and Zuchu, bringing their marriage back into the spotlight, this time not because of a song, romantic gesture or social media post, but because of their living arrangement.

For many people, marriage naturally means sharing a home. So, reports that Diamond and Zuchu maintain separate residences, despite living in the same Mbezi Beach area, have prompted one obvious question: Why don’t they simply live together?

While some believe married couples should live under one roof, others argue that how a couple organises its private life is a personal decision, provided both partners are comfortable with the arrangement.

And that is where religion enters the conversation.

Does Islam require couples to live under one roof?

According to Sheikh Athuman Idd, it does not.

Speaking to The Citizen’s sister paper, Mwanaspoti, Sheikh Athuman explained that living in the same house is not a condition for a valid Islamic marriage.

‘In Islam, living in the same house is not a condition for the validity of a marriage, and there is no provision in Islam that forces couples to do so,’ he said.

He added that if a husband and wife mutually agree to maintain separate residences, their marriage remains valid.

‘If they understand each other and willingly agree that each should live in their own home for whatever reason, their marriage remains 100 per cent valid, and they continue to be legally married before God and society,’ he said.

In other words, two houses do not automatically mean two separate marriages.

The key issue, according to the Sheikh, is whether the arrangement is mutually agreed upon and whether the couple continues to fulfil their responsibilities as husband and wife.

That distinction is particularly relevant when it comes to celebrity relationships, where gaps in information can quickly become filled with public speculation.

Diamond and Zuchu have spoken about it

The discussion surrounding the couple’s living arrangements is not entirely new.

Zuchu previously said that having separate homes was a decision they had made themselves and was not the result of a quarrel, separation or marital conflict.

That statement provides important context amid the latest conversations.

Therefore, the fact that Diamond and Zuchu reportedly maintain separate residences should not, on its own, be taken as evidence that their marriage is facing trouble.

For a couple whose relationship has attracted considerable public interest, however, even personal lifestyle choices can become a subject of debate.

A marriage kept away from the spotlight

Diamond and Zuchu’s marriage itself was initially kept private.

The two are understood to have undergone an Islamic marriage ceremony in January 2025. Their marriage became more widely known in June 2025 after Sheikh Walid Kawambwa revealed that he had officiated their union approximately five months earlier.

Diamond later shared photographs and videos associated with the occasion, while Zuchu also publicly acknowledged her status as Diamond’s wife.

So, the question now is not necessarily whether the two are married.

That has already been publicly acknowledged by the couple and religious figures connected to their union.

What continues to intrigue fans is what their marriage looks like behind the scenes.

For Diamond and Zuchu, that apparently includes maintaining separate homes within the same neighbourhood.

Whether the arrangement is unusual, practical or simply the way they have chosen to organise their lives remains a matter for the couple.

But from the religious perspective explained by Sheikh Athuman, a marriage does not become less valid simply because a husband and wife do not share the same roof.

Sometimes, two homes can still make one marriage.

Citizens seeking 10 percent municipal loans in Shinyanga are allegedly being charged up to Sh150,000 by private individuals to help them complete online forms and register on the electronic portal, a burden for groups needing capital for economic activities.

The concern was raised during the Shinyanga Municipal Full Council meeting, where civic leaders demanded enhanced public education to prevent the digital registration process from being exploited by middleman brokers.

Special Seats Councillor for Ibadakuli Division, Ms Zuhura Waziri, noted that several applicant groups have been forced to hire private individuals to navigate the online system, paying exorbitant fees that eat into their limited capital.

“It is critical that citizens receive proper training so they can register and apply for these loans independently, without incurring heavy costs from third parties,” said Ms Waziri.

Echoing her concerns, council members urged the Community Development Department to step up outreach programmes to guide youth, women, and persons with disabilities through the portal’s procedures.

Responding to the concerns, Shinyanga Municipal Community Development Officer, Ms Salome Komba, acknowledged the issue and assured the council that measures are being implemented to support applicants.

She revealed that the municipality has allocated funds in its budget to purchase electronic devices, including computers and tablets, for Community Development Officers to assist group members with registration directly in their wards.

“This initiative aims to bridge the digital skills gap, ensure direct access to the portal, and protect citizens from unnecessary fees during the application process,” said Ms Komba.

Representing the Shinyanga Regional Administrative Secretary (RAS), Mr Adonias Namjulirwa, called on local leaders and municipal staff to maintain strict supervision of internal revenue collection to fund development projects and improve public service delivery.

Traders in Tanga are counting heavy losses after a fire swept through several shops at the Old Bus Stand along 12th Street on Thursday night, destroying goods and businesses.

The fire broke out at about 8pm and quickly spread to neighbouring shops. An electrical fault in one of the shops is suspected to have caused the blaze, although authorities had not established the cause officially.

Firefighters, police and private emergency teams battled the flames for hours before bringing them under control. Additional firefighting vehicles were brought in from the port and the GBP fuel depot to support the operation.

Tanga District Commissioner Dadi Kolimba said it was too early to determine the number of shops affected or the value of property destroyed.

‘The fire started in one shop and spread to others. Despite efforts to contain it, it continued spreading, but the Fire and Rescue Force did a great job by bringing in additional vehicles from the port and GBP fuel depot and eventually containing the fire,’ Mr Kolimba said.

Police were also deployed to prevent people from stealing goods that traders were attempting to rescue from the burning shops.

Witnesses said the fire spread rapidly, with some of the goods stored in the shops believed to have fuelled the flames.

Shop owner George Lusinde said the fire had wiped out his main source of income, forcing him to consider how to rebuild his business.

‘This shop was my main source of income. I now have to start again and find a way to recover economically,’ he said.

Resident Konde Boy said the losses would affect traders who had borrowed money to finance their businesses.

‘Some people have borrowed money. Imagine taking a loan and then your shop burns down. What will happen when loan officers come for repayment?’ he said.

Another witness, Inosi Ally, said the fire spread so quickly that traders struggled to save their belongings despite prolonged efforts by firefighters.

A detailed assessment is expected to establish the number of shops affected and the value of property destroyed.

The League of United Kingdoms of Afrika has backed Tanzania’s decision to involve judges from other African countries in the inquiry into events surrounding the October 29, 2025 General Election, saying the move could strengthen public confidence in the process.

In a statement dated August 11, 2026, the South Africa-based organisation said Africa had a pool of experienced professionals in law, human rights, justice, governance and conflict resolution who could contribute to the inquiry.

It said the participation of judges from countries such as Namibia and Uganda should not be viewed as interference in Tanzania’s internal affairs, but as an opportunity to draw on wider African legal expertise.

The League commended President Samia Suluhu Hassan and the Government for seeking external expertise, saying the move demonstrated institutional confidence and a willingness to consider diverse legal perspectives on an issue of national importance.

It also stressed that the Commission of Inquiry should operate within a clear legal framework, with defined terms of reference, appropriate procedures and sufficient authority to fulfil its mandate.

The organisation urged Tanzanians, political actors, civil society and other stakeholders to allow the Commission to complete its work before reaching conclusions about its credibility or findings.

It said the inquiry should be guided by truth, justice, transparency and the interests of all Tanzanians, while respecting the independence and professional integrity of the judges involved.

The League said establishing the facts surrounding the 2025 election was important for strengthening public trust, national unity and peaceful mechanisms for resolving grievances.

‘Tanzania is our neighbour, Tanzania is our sister and brother, and the peace and stability of Tanzania are part of the peace and stability of our Afrika,’ the organisation said.

The Tanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC) has urged the country to confront the reality of the political events of October 29, 2025, through mutual forgiveness and national healing, rather than allowing lingering wounds to divide citizens.

The call follows a meeting between Catholic bishops and President Samia Suluhu Hassan on August 10, 2026.

According to State House statement, the talks aimed to address key national issues, including pathways to resolve the country’s ongoing political stalemate. Speaking on Thursday, August 13, 2026, TEC Secretary-General, Fr Dr Charles Kitima, said the bishops requested the audience with President Hassan to share their perspective on the political climate, emphasising that lasting peace requires truth, mutual forgiveness, and national reconciliation.

Dr Kitima clarified that the bishops were not summoned by the government but initiated the meeting to reinforce the position set out in their November 15, 2025 statement.

He noted that the nation cannot construct a stable future without addressing the fallout from the 2025 events.

In their November 15 statement, delivered by TEC President Bishop Wolfgang Pisa following a four-day prayer reflection, the bishops observed widespread public discontent and division following the elections.

“The bishops maintain that we must reach a point of rectifying this situation,” said Dr Kitima.

“We cannot let sin rule us; we must be guided by goodness and love,” he added.

Dr Kitima stressed that mutual forgiveness is a human step to restore broken relationships among citizens and with the government, rather than a political contest over power.

While TEC does not oppose the government’s commission of inquiry into the incidents, Dr Kitima urged that the process uphold truth, transparency, and public involvement.

“Commission investigations are important so truth is known and those responsible are held accountable under the law. However, investigation alone cannot heal the pain without a parallel process of mutual forgiveness and reconciliation,” he said, adding that the bishops’ intent is not to change the administration, but to safeguard human dignity and rights under existing leadership.

Citing international examples, Dr Kitima referenced South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation process, where acknowledging facts and granting mutual forgiveness helped lay the foundation for a unified nation.

Sharing a similar perspective, the National Muslim Council of Tanzania (Bakwata) Executive Council Chairman, Sheikh Khamis Mataka, noted that human societies inevitably face challenges, but wisdom lies in how they are resolved.

Describing the October events as a national test, Sheikh Mataka commended the establishment of the investigative commission, stating that its findings should feed into broader national dialogue.

“You forgive after knowing what offence occurred and who erred,” said Sheikh Mataka, emphasizing that identifying root causes is essential for preventing future conflict.

Anglican Bishop of Dar es Salaam Diocese, Jackson Sosteness, also advocated for national healing and inclusivity, highlighting the need to address youth grievances.

“Youth were heavily involved in the October 29 events. It is imperative for the government to address their core challenges, including unemployment, to channel their energy into productive nation-building,” said Bishop Sosteness.

Tanzania Human Rights Defenders Network (THRDC) national coordinator Onesmo Olengurumwa emphasized that genuine recovery requires all stakeholders to acknowledge past shortcomings.

“Accountability does not solely mean imprisonment. Accepting mistakes, asking for pardon, and speaking the truth are fundamental steps,” said Mr Olengurumwa.

“Assuming last year’s problems can be buried by force would be a grave mistake that risks creating even greater challenges in the future,” he added.