Category: The Citizen

Exactly 6,809 citizens in the North Unguja and Urban West regions received specialist eye screening and treatment services during a seven-day medical camp.

The initiative, resulting from a collaboration between the Zanzibar First Vice President’s Office, Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH), and Qatar Charity, aimed to reduce avoidable visual impairment.

According to a report issued on Friday, September 4, 2026, by the MNH director-general, Dr Delilah Kimambo, during the closure of the at the Sebleni Health Centre, 6,809 citizens were screened across both regions.

“In North Unguja Region, 971 citizens received medical treatment, with 136 patients undergoing eye surgery,” stated Dr Kimambo.

“The response was even larger in Urban West Region, where approximately 4,536 people turned up for services, and 254 among them underwent surgery,” she added.

Dr Kimambo noted that 373 patients underwent cataract surgery, whilst 446 were diagnosed with the condition.

Furthermore, she mentioned that 3,830 citizens received various treatments, including spectacles, medication, and professional advice.

The Council for People with Disabilities executive secretary, Mr Ussi Khamis Debe, said eye health forms the foundation of education, employment, and productivity.

“Diseases like cataracts, glaucoma, and diabetic complications can be detected early and treated before causing permanent disability,” he said.

He cited 2022 census figures showing visual impairments feature among disability types holding high percentages nationally.

The Qatar Charity country director, Mr Amjad Al Tahan, called the camp one of their most successful campaigns ever conducted.

He promised that given the evident high demand, the organisation is considering expanding these services to Pemba Island and broadening community healthcare reach.

The Urban West Regional Commissioner, Mr Mohamed Ali Abdallah, who served as chief guest, requested stakeholders consider offering targeted services for schoolchildren, alongside boosting screening for other diseases like cancer and abdominal issues amongst women.

“What occurred here is momentous; truly, our people face numerous health challenges, as demonstrated by this immense public turnout,” he said.

Some citizens receiving services expressed gratitude, stating they would have spent heavily on treatment, making the camp a lifesaver.

One patient from Magomeni, Mr Maulidi Haji Tigizi, explained that the service he received was excellent and hassle-free.

Mr Tigizi noted he had never visited a hospital for his eye issue previously, but decided to attend Sebleni upon hearing experts had arrived offering free services, subsequently receiving surgery.

For her part, a resident of Mwera Mtofaani, Ms Fatma Fadhil Machano, extended special thanks for bringing these free services closer to the people.

“The eye is a vital organ providing life’s light, and without government efforts offering free care, many citizens could not afford treatment costs,” said Ms Machano.

Prime Minister Mwigulu Nchemba said the government plans to ensure every village has a secondary school as Tanzania prepares to extend compulsory education to Form Four.

Dr Nchemba said the policy would require a major expansion of education infrastructure, with more than 16,000 classrooms expected to be built to accommodate rising enrolment.

He made the remarks on Saturday, September 5, 2026, while addressing residents of Bahi District, Dodoma Region, during a working visit to inspect development projects and hear concerns from the community. ‘When we say compulsory education will be until Form Four, it means every village should have a secondary school. We are talking about a need for more than 16,000 classrooms,’ said Dr Nchemba.

He said the government must prepare early for the additional demand for classrooms, laboratories and libraries to prevent overcrowding and ensure students do not return to studying in inadequate conditions.

The premier said the expansion could require about 8,000 laboratories, alongside additional libraries, as part of efforts to improve the quality of teaching and learning.

Savings to be redirected to public services

Dr Nchemba also called for tighter government spending, directing officials to identify areas where costs can be reduced and redirect the savings to services that directly benefit citizens.

He cited large official entourages and meetings that require officials to travel, saying avoidable expenditure should instead support priorities such as classrooms, laboratories, desks and other essential services.

‘Whenever we can make savings, we should direct them to things that affect the daily lives of our citizens,’ he said.

Ambulances must have fuel

On healthcare, Dr Nchemba directed authorities to ensure government ambulances have fuel and warned against asking patients or their relatives to raise money to cover ambulance fuel costs.

He said the government had invested substantially in hospitals, health centres, ambulances, medical equipment and health workers, adding that officials must ensure those investments translate into accessible services.

He warned that officials who force patients or their relatives to contribute money for ambulance fuel should face disciplinary action.

He also urged citizens to report officials who deny them services or breach government procedures.

Education official singled out for performance

The Prime Minister commended Bahi District education official Boniface Mwakasole for his contribution to improving education standards.

He said Mr Mwakasole’s work had contributed to notable results, including Chiona Primary School’s performance, which he said had placed the school at the top nationally in primary education.

He said public servants who demonstrate strong performance should be recognised and given greater responsibilities.

‘If you want to transfer him, promote him. Give him a region if you want him out of Bahi. If you have not found a region, do not transfer him; leave him here. He has done exemplary work,’ he said.

He added that strong performance should speak for itself when it comes to career advancement.

‘Someone who does good work does not need lobbying or to ask for a job; the work introduces you,’ he said.

In another development, Dr Nchemba said the government would continue implementing development projects in Bahi covering water, health, education, irrigation, roads and bridges.

He also directed the Deputy Minister responsible for Regional Administration and Local Government (RALG) to follow up on development needs presented by district and regional leaders.

On electricity, he said settlements located between towns and villages but whose residents still live under predominantly rural conditions would continue to benefit from electricity connections at rates applicable to rural areas.

Kigali. Private-sector players in Africa’s agriculture sector have called for increased investment, better fertiliser use and policies to promote sustainable soil management as soil degradation threatens agricultural productivity.

The concerns were raised at the Africa Food Systems Forum 2026 in Kigali during a discussion on the private sector’s role in improving soil health and strengthening food systems.

Africa Fertiliser Industry Development Association (AFIDA) Director General and CEO Dr Innocent Okuku said about 60 percent of Africa’s cropland is estimated to have degraded soils, largely because of poor soil management.

‘Fertiliser is neither good nor bad. You can make it good if you use it correctly, and you can make it bad if you don’t use it correctly,’ Dr Okuku said during the discussion. He said improving soil health requires more than increasing fertiliser use, with farmers needing access to mineral and organic fertilisers and soil amendments such as lime for acidic soils.

AFIDA is also investing in farmer education on appropriate fertiliser use and plans to launch a youth programme in early 2027 to train young people to support smallholder farmers in improving soil health and agricultural production.

The private sector also called for reforms to fertiliser subsidy programmes, saying delayed government payments can undermine suppliers’ businesses and discourage investment. Dr Okuku said some suppliers had waited one or two years for payment after participating in subsidy programmes.

World Bank Group Global Director for Farming and Agribusiness Anup Jagwani said governments should reconsider their role in purchasing, storing and distributing fertiliser.

‘We don’t think that government should be in the business of buying fertiliser, storing fertiliser or distributing fertiliser,’ he said, arguing that private companies were better placed to manage input supply chains.

Participants discussed electronic vouchers as one option that could enable farmers to access subsidised inputs while allowing private companies to participate in their distribution.

Yara International Director of Government Relations and Public Affairs for Africa Dr Winnie Ng’ang’a said the company uses soil testing to identify nutrient deficiencies and develop fertiliser solutions suited to specific soils and crops. She said mineral fertilisers should complement rather than replace organic fertilisers.

AFIDA is also working with regional bodies, including the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa), to harmonise fertiliser registration and quality standards.

Dr Okuku said fragmented regulations make it difficult for companies to operate across borders and can delay farmers’ access to suitable inputs.

AFIDA, established about a year ago, currently operates in around 12 African countries and plans to expand across the continent.

Dr Okuku said the association was formed to give private-sector players a stronger voice in policy discussions and promote investment in agriculture as governments face limited resources.

and development financing declines.

Betting company Sokabet paid out a total of Sh44, 658,787,637 to different winners during August, the company has said.

Sokabet Tanzania Assistant Customer Service Manager, Lazaro Mduma, said this during a ceremony to hand over winnings to one of the successful players, R. Likwawa, who won Sh143.1 million through the Shining Crown game.

Mduma said Likwawa was among the players who won large amounts of money through various games during the month, finishing second on the list of the biggest winners, while A. Mwakalinga topped the list after winning Sh180 million.

Tanzanian swimmer Romeo-Mihaly Mwaipasi has secured a major opportunity to advance both his academic and sporting career after being awarded the 2026-2027 Stipendium Hungaricum Sports Scholarship by World Aquatics.

The scholarship will enable the promising swimmer to pursue university studies in Hungary while continuing his swimming development under a structured high-performance programme.

The Tanzania Swimming Association (TSA) announced the achievement, congratulating Mwaipasi for successfully navigating a competitive selection process that included interviews and examinations conducted through the World Aquatics Scholarship Programme. Romeo was among the shortlisted candidates before successfully passing the final selection stage, earning him a place in the prestigious programme.

TSA Secretary General Inviolata Itatiro said the achievement demonstrates the importance of sustained investment in athletes and the commitment required to nurture sporting talent. ‘This opportunity is a testament that the resources, time, effort and sacrifice spent in nurturing athletes is truly worthwhile,’ said Inviolata.

The Stipendium Hungaricum Sports Scholarship provides comprehensive support to student-athletes, including tuition-free education, medical insurance and a monthly stipend.Depending on institutional capacity, scholars are also entitled to free dormitory accommodation or a monthly accommodation contribution from the scholarship programme. Romeo will further benefit from specialised sporting support, including a designated coach, individual training plans and access to training facilities. The programme also provides additional medical and performance services, including team doctors and physiotherapists.

On the academic side, he will have access to an academic mentor appointed by his host institution to assist him throughout his studies. The scholarship also covers annual round-trip travel between the scholar’s home country and Hungary, easing the logistical burden as Mwaipasi balances his education and sporting commitments.

For Tanzania’s swimming fraternity, Mwaipasi’s selection represents an important achievement and a source of encouragement for young athletes aspiring to compete internationally.

The opportunity comes as recognition of his commitment to swimming and the continued efforts by the Tanzania Swimming Association and other stakeholders to create pathways for athletes to combine sporting excellence with education.

Mwaipasi’s move to Hungary is expected to provide him with exposure to new training environments, coaching expertise and competitive opportunities as he works to take his swimming career to another level.

The TSA has urged the swimming community to join in congratulating Mwaipasi, describing his scholarship as evidence that investment in athletes can produce opportunities that extend beyond the pool.

As he begins his Hungarian chapter, Mwaipasi will carry the expectations of Tanzania’s swimming community while pursuing the dual goal of academic achievement and sporting excellence.

This version uses a newspaper-style lead, short paragraphs, formal attribution, and a strong quote, making it much closer to the feel of a mainstream Tanzanian sports report.

We love the tea. We really do.

Give us the messy relationship update, the unexpected plot twist, and the ‘sit down, let me tell you what happened’ moment. Give us the proper tea… the ‘You people will not believe what just happened’ tea.

We will listen.

We will ask questions.

We will probably have opinions.

That is tea.

But there is a difference between sharing tea and exposing somebody’s private business.

And lately, that line seems to be disappearing faster than a trending topic after three days.

Because somewhere along the way, social media has become the new venue for messages that were clearly meant to be a phone call.

Tell me why you are sitting comfortably, scrolling through your phone, completely unaware that you are about to be dragged into somebody else’s personal history.

‘I can’t believe you decided to have a child with a married man…’

Excuse me?

Like… how is that our concern?????????

Who invited us to this meeting?

Why are we suddenly sitting in the front row of a family matter we did not even know existed?

And before you can process that, the speaker has moved on to the person’s exes.

Not the fresh tea.

Not even warm tea.

Rotten. Uncooked. Archaeological tea.

Stories from relationships that ended years ago. Things that were apparently said in private. Old disagreements. Who dated whom. Who allegedly did what? Details that sound like they were supposed to remain buried somewhere between two people and a WhatsApp chat.

And you are watching your phone thinking:

Sir… Could you not have called her?

Nobody, absolutely nobody, needed to hear that.

If the message is for them, why are we watching?

Send them a message.

There is a revolutionary piece of technology called WhatsApp.

It has existed for years.

You can even send a voice note. And here is the thing: that person whose tea you are serving for clicks, likes and comments has a reputation they have built over years.

You do not get to casually throw it into the public square simply because you know something about them.

And what makes this whole phenomenon even more interesting is that a lot of these Ubuyu CEOs are men.

Grown men.

Men who have somehow turned knowing everybody else’s business into a professional qualification.

They know who broke up. Who reconciled? Who owes whom money? Who allegedly sent what message?

Whose relationship is struggling. Who said what in a private conversation?

That is not automatically tea. Sometimes it is simply somebody else’s business.

And perhaps that is what our Ubuyu CEOs need to remember. You can have the screenshot and not post it.

You can know the story and not tell it. You can hear the voice note and delete it.

You can know exactly what happened and still say:

‘Hii si yangu kusema.’

Imagine that.

A man with information choosing silence.

A rare species. Put him in a museum.

Because there is actually something powerful about knowing when not to speak.

So, next time the urge to go live hits, take a breath.

Put the phone down.

Call the person.

Or, revolutionary concept: drink your own tea.

Because we love the tea.

Just make sure it is actually yours to pour.

Simba leave Tanzania today for Malawi ahead of their CAF Champions League first preliminary round first-leg clash against Mighty Wanderers on Sunday, with five players missing from the travelling squad.

The players are Hussein Semfuko, Ibrahim Nindi, Kelvin Nashono, Nickson Kibabage and Shomari Kapombe, who have all been ruled out of the trip because of what the club describes as unavoidable reasons. Simba media manager Ahmed Ally confirmed the absences but did not disclose further details, leaving head coach Steve Barker to work with the available players as the club begins its latest continental campaign.

The match will be played at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe, with kick-off scheduled for 4pm East African Time. CAF has placed the two clubs in the first preliminary round, with the return leg in Tanzania between September 11 and 13. For Barker, the assignment provides an early opportunity to demonstrate whether Simba’s strong domestic start can translate into continental success. The South African has guided the Msimbazi club to a perfect start in the Mainland Premier League, winning all five matches and collecting 15 points. The coach’s priority in Malawi will be to secure a positive result, preferably a victory, while ensuring Simba remain defensively disciplined. An away goal advantage would give the Tanzanian side greater control of the tie before the return fixture.

The absence of Kapombe, in particular, removes one of Simba’s experienced players from the continental assignment, while the other four unavailable players further reduce Barker’s options. The coach will therefore have to rely on squad depth and tactical flexibility.

Simba also enter the tie with considerably greater continental experience. They have been regular participants in the CAF Champions League and reached the quarter-finals in recent seasons, giving them an advantage in handling the pressure associated with two-legged knockout ties.

However, Ahmed Ally has warned against underestimating Wanderers. He previously acknowledged that the Malawian champions have an advantage because they have played more domestic matches and are likely to be physically sharper.

Wanderers have also undergone an important change just days before the encounter. MacDonald Nginde Mtetemera has been appointed interim head coach following the suspension of Bob Mpinganjira. Former Yanga assistant coach Patrick Mabedi has also been brought in as a technical consultant.

Mtetemera has already rallied his players ahead of the clash, insisting that unity can help the Nomads overcome the challenge posed by Simba.

The hosts will also be looking to recover from their recent 2-1 defeat to Ekhaya FC in the Airtel Top 8 final at Bingu National Stadium, a result that contributed to the changes in their technical bench.

For Barker, Sunday’s encounter is therefore about more than simply surviving the first leg. A disciplined performance and a favourable result would strengthen Simba’s position in the tie and provide momentum for their wider ambition of progressing deep into the Champions League.

Air Tanzania Company Limited (ATCL) has temporarily suspended flights between Dar es Salaam and Moscow, citing the outcome of a routine risk assessment of the operating environment along the route.

The suspension, which affects flights TC422 and TC423, takes effect from September 4, 2026, according to a public notice issued by the airline on September 3.

‘ATCL conducts these assessments continuously across our entire network, and where the outcome supports a pause, we take one,’ the airline said. The company said the decision was made after weighing the operating environment and the need to prioritise passenger safety.

‘Safety considerations always take precedence over commercial ones,’ ATCL said.

Passengers holding tickets for the affected flights will be offered either a full refund or rebooking to an alternative date or routing at no additional cost.

The airline has advised affected passengers to contact its customer service centre or their travel agents for assistance.

‘We continue to monitor conditions in consultation with the relevant authorities and will announce the resumption of services as soon as the assessment supports it,’ ATCL said.

The airline did not give a specific date for the resumption of flights, saying it would continue monitoring conditions in consultation with the relevant authorities.

ATCL said it regretted the inconvenience caused to passengers and thanked its customers for their continued trust and support.

A total of 294 entries submitted by journalists for the second season of the Samia Kalamu Awards have advanced to the public voting stage, with citizens’ votes accounting for 60 percent of the final score.

Voting starts on Thursday, September 3, and will run until September 30, following the completion of the judging process, which accounts for the remaining 40 percent.

The winners are expected to be announced in December, with members of the public voting for journalism works they consider relevant and impactful through the awards’ website or short message service (SMS). Speaking to journalists on Thursday, September 3, the chairman of the awards, who is also Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) director general Peter Mwasalyanda, said the second season had attracted 3,003 entries from 985 journalists.

He said the figures represented an increase from the previous season, reflecting growing participation in the awards.

The entries covered several areas of public interest, with health emerging as the most prominent category, attracting 279 entries, followed by gender (225), environment (180) and education (150). Land-related reporting attracted three entries.

‘These figures reflect the issues that journalists focused on in their reporting and investigations submitted for the awards,’ he said.

Mr Mwasalyanda said the judging panel had completed its assessment, which accounts for 40 percent of the final score, while the public vote will determine the remaining 60 percent.

He urged journalists whose works had reached the public voting stage to encourage their audiences to participate.

‘The public vote is very important,’ he said, adding that citizens had an opportunity to recognise journalism that addresses issues affecting their communities.

He said public participation would also help identify works that reflect citizens’ concerns, interests and development priorities.

Last year, 6,638 members of the public participated in the voting exercise. The organisers hope to surpass that figure this year by attracting more citizens to the process.

Judges praise quality of entries

Chairperson of the judging panel Beatrice Bandawe said the judges had undertaken an extensive assessment of the submissions against established criteria.

She said the exercise showed that Tanzanian journalists had strong professional skills and were capable of producing quality journalism focused on citizens’ development needs.

‘The judges discovered that Tanzanian journalists have a high level of professional competence and the ability to produce quality stories that address development issues affecting citizens,’ she said.

Ms Bandawe said journalists had also demonstrated an ability to go beyond identifying challenges by exploring possible solutions to problems facing communities.

‘The 294 entries will now compete for public support, with the outcome of the voting carrying the largest share in determining the eventual winners,’ she said.

The organisers have called on citizens to participate in the exercise and recognise journalism they believe has made a meaningful contribution to society.

Puma Energy Tanzania, through its cooking gas brand PumaGas, has launched an eight-week roadshow across five regions as part of efforts to make liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) more accessible to households and businesses.

The roadshow was launched on September 3, 2026, at the newly opened Puma Energy retail service station in Bunju, Dar es Salaam, and will cover Dar es Salaam, Pwani, Morogoro and Dodoma before concluding in Mwanza.

Held under the message ‘Hakuna Kuchochea, Tumerahisisha na PumaGas,’ the campaign will focus on promoting the use of cooking gas in everyday household and business activities. The roadshow will give cooking gas users an opportunity to learn more about LPG, ask questions about its use and availability, and interact with PumaGas dealers in their communities.

‘Our aim is not simply to tell people about cooking gas, but to give them an opportunity to understand it, see how it is used and get the information they need before making a decision,’ said Puma Energy Tanzania Head of Marketing Lilian Kanora.

‘By taking PumaGas directly into communities, we want to be closer to our customers and better understand their needs in different areas,’ she said.

During the roadshow, PumaGas teams will engage with households, food businesses, restaurants, hotels and gas dealers. The programme will also feature cooking demonstrations and opportunities for members of the public to ask questions about the use, availability and refilling of gas cylinders.

Food businesses that rely on gas for their daily operations, including street food vendors, mama ntilie, restaurants and hotels, will also be part of the campaign.

Dealers will support the availability of PumaGas products and services to customers in their respective areas.

The roadshow will culminate in Mwanza, where Puma Energy plans to formally enter the Lake Zone market.

The Mwanza launch will include the introduction of PumaGas to the market, the handover of a cylinder to the first customer and recognition of the first PumaGas dealer in the area.

The event will also bring together stakeholders and the media and feature a practical cooking demonstration.

During the demonstration, a local mama ntilie will prepare chapati using a PumaGas cylinder, allowing members of the public to see how much food can be prepared using the gas in a familiar, everyday setting.

For Puma Energy, the roadshow forms part of a broader effort to increase access to cooking gas and extend its services to more communities across Tanzania.

The company said the eight-week initiative would enable it to engage directly with users, understand their needs and bring PumaGas services closer to communities where people live and run their businesses.

The campaign will run from Dar es Salaam through Pwani, Morogoro and Dodoma before ending in Mwanza under the message: ‘PumaGas: Hakuna Kuchochea, Tumerahisisha.’